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Dad's "lost" insurance policy

57 replies

MoralOrLegal · 28/06/2023 20:54

My dad lost mental capacity some 6 years ago. He is in a care home. I have Deputy status (Court of Protection) and now look after all of his finances. Slightly before he lost his capacity, he handed me a folder with all of his financial documents (or so I thought).

Recently I received a letter addressed to him from an insurance company. It was an apology for not updating him about his health insurance policy (for the last 10 years!!!) Turns out that way back in 1999 he had bought a policy which insured against developing various health conditions, including cognitive impairment, for a substantial amount per year of care fees. I had no clue about this (there was nothing in his folder), and the insurance company had sent no communication before this "oops, we seem not to have sent you updates for a decade!" letter.

Obviously, I can now investigate claiming on his behalf. Does anyone think that I have a case for trying to backdate the claim 6 years, or is the responsibility for knowing that a policy exists rest entirely with the person who bought it, i.e. he should have told me? I'd like some suggested wording before contacting the insurance company if possible!

OP posts:
Paradiseflycatcher · 01/12/2023 21:10

Fantastic, and good to hear of good service by an insurance company. Well done Aviva

Candleabra · 01/12/2023 22:10

Oh that’s brilliant news. Well done to you for chasing and well done to your dad for taking out the policy

InTheMiddleOfIt · 01/12/2023 22:52

That's brilliant news. I'm so pleased for you.

MoralOrLegal · 24/12/2023 15:37

Isn't it funny how things sometimes work out?

My poor dad has been in hospital for a few days with a stomach bug, and they have assessed that he now needs full-time nursing care rather than just residential care. The amount he's getting monthly from the policy will cover the increase in fees! Wow.

(Of course, I now need to sort out a new home for him and everywhere is saying "call back after Boxing Day" but the stress could have been a lot worse.)

OP posts:
InTheMiddleOfIt · 24/12/2023 15:48

Sorry to hear he now needs increased care but it's good the difference is covered.

MoralOrLegal · 24/12/2023 15:52

It seems that if the NHS advise someone to go into a nursing home, they also make a contribution to the fees if it's a private provider. Doubtless I'll find out all the details after Christmas.

OP posts:
InTheMiddleOfIt · 24/12/2023 15:57

It's probably more valuable to your Dad that he has you to look out for him than him having the extra money. My MIL is in a care home and somehow or other we seem to be funding it 😭😭. My husband is a lovely bloke but it all too much for him to deal with. Luckily we can afford it but it's a crazy system. The fact that the funding is different for England, Wales and Scotland is also annoying. 🤦🏻‍♀️

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