Insurer Leaves Couple High and Dry After Medical Emergency Forces Cancellation of Wedding
A couple's dream wedding was turned upside down when the groom's brother was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer just two days before the big day. The family had purchased cancellation insurance from The Insurance Emporium (TIE) 18 months earlier, which covered unexpected events such as weddings being cancelled due to illness or bereavement.
However, when the couple submitted a claim after the wedding was called off, they were shocked to be told that their policy did not cover pre-existing conditions. According to TIE, the brother's fatigue prior to the commencement of the policy was considered symptoms of the tumour and therefore disqualified from being covered under the insurance.
The couple was denied £9,000 in compensation last October, but just three weeks later, the insurer announced that it would pay out the amount after further review. However, just as they thought they were getting their money back, TIE withdrew the offer once again, leaving the couple with a staggering loss of £22,000.
The insurer's stance on pre-existing conditions has been criticized by experts, who argue that its terms and conditions are too vague and sweeping. The Financial Ombudsman Service has stated that customers should be aware of any undiagnosed pre-existing conditions that may lead to a claim if symptoms are minor and unspecific.
TIE has refused to alter or waive the pre-existing condition exclusion for individual cases, but it has rewritten its declaration form to specifically ask about conditions awaiting test results or treatment. The insurer has also agreed to reinstate the £9,000 offer after further review.
The case highlights the need for clear and transparent insurance contracts that protect consumers from unexpected events like this. The couple's experience serves as a reminder of the importance of carefully reading policy terms and conditions before purchasing insurance.
A couple's dream wedding was turned upside down when the groom's brother was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer just two days before the big day. The family had purchased cancellation insurance from The Insurance Emporium (TIE) 18 months earlier, which covered unexpected events such as weddings being cancelled due to illness or bereavement.
However, when the couple submitted a claim after the wedding was called off, they were shocked to be told that their policy did not cover pre-existing conditions. According to TIE, the brother's fatigue prior to the commencement of the policy was considered symptoms of the tumour and therefore disqualified from being covered under the insurance.
The couple was denied £9,000 in compensation last October, but just three weeks later, the insurer announced that it would pay out the amount after further review. However, just as they thought they were getting their money back, TIE withdrew the offer once again, leaving the couple with a staggering loss of £22,000.
The insurer's stance on pre-existing conditions has been criticized by experts, who argue that its terms and conditions are too vague and sweeping. The Financial Ombudsman Service has stated that customers should be aware of any undiagnosed pre-existing conditions that may lead to a claim if symptoms are minor and unspecific.
TIE has refused to alter or waive the pre-existing condition exclusion for individual cases, but it has rewritten its declaration form to specifically ask about conditions awaiting test results or treatment. The insurer has also agreed to reinstate the £9,000 offer after further review.
The case highlights the need for clear and transparent insurance contracts that protect consumers from unexpected events like this. The couple's experience serves as a reminder of the importance of carefully reading policy terms and conditions before purchasing insurance.
Ugh, I'm so frustrated for that poor couple! It's unacceptable that they had to go through all that stress and uncertainty just because the insurer didn't clearly define what pre-existing conditions meant in their policy. 
18 months ago they bought that insurance thinking it would cover them if something unexpected happened - and boy did they need it, right? 
It's just not right. And what really gets me is that they had to fight so hard to get their £9,000 back... and even then, it was all taken away from them again. 
It's just basic fairness, you know? 
... This is just insane! £22,000 gone in the blink of an eye? 
It's through the roof since 2020! 
That's when COVID-19 was still a thing and we were all getting tested left & right... it's like insurance companies are trying to catch us off guard 
.
... 3 months for an initial denial, only to have them change their minds after 6 weeks and then take it back again? 
That's some fancy footwork right there! 
They need to be more transparent about what conditions they cover and don't cover. 
. I think regulators need to step in and tighten up those contract clauses. 
Fingers crossed for the couple! 
It's just so frustrating. I feel for this poor couple who are left with a huge loss of money.
They should've been warned about this on the application form, at least 
The insurance industry needs to get its act together & start putting consumers first 
it's just not right. i mean, who wouldn't wanna protect themselves against situations like this? 
At least they got their £9,000 offer reinstated after a second review... but still, £22k lost in the end... 
their Korean BBQ was insane but you know what's even crazier? how some people still use flip phones 
I mean, what's next, paying bills with cash 
It's so frustrating because this couple was literally stuck with a huge loss and no way to recover... it's just not fair! 
.
. We can't control everything in life, but we should at least be able to rely on each other and the systems we have in place 
. All this back-and-forth is exhausting 
. I hope the Financial Ombudsman Service can get some changes made so that other people don't have to go through what they did 
.