Life Policy Disputes

Myself and husband opened new life policies with Discovery Life in December 2017. I recently tried to make some changes to my cover and the changes were declined due to history/medical issues that were previously disclosed during application but not noted on the applications forms by the broker.

When my application for changes was declined we decided to check my husbands policy as the same disclosures were make during his application and to our horror the disclosures were not noted on the policy documents by the broker even though disclosures were definitely made. We were told that we should just sign to get the documents through as the electronic tablet battery was going flat and that the brokers office would complete the documents at the office.

I have been informed by a close family friend that this was one of the reason for changing brokers as she also signed blanked applications as the office would complete the form.

We requested the nurses questions and answers forms that were done during application and to date (2 weeks ago) we have not received copies of the nurses forms from Discovery..

We have escalated the matter to Discovery and reported the broker to Discovery more than a week ago and still to date no feedback.

We currently do not even know if my husband is covered and while Discovery have not given assistance or feedback on the matter they continue to deduct the monthly installments even though there is a dispute at hand.

the disclosures were for substance abuse and previous smoking years ago. It would be completely insane to say that we didn't smoke previously to the broker but then on 2 different Vitality age questionairs complete ex-smoking declarations (with details of how long ago and how many cigarettes a day). It would also be completely insane to lie and say were never used substances in the past knowing that Discovery health paid for the rehabilitation years ago.

We have now been discriminated against for being honest and this would then disqualify the majority of people from life cover as most people have experimented with some sort of substance abuse in their younger years.

After logging the dispute which we will be taking to the ombudsman as well we have had no proper feedback on reasons for decline and the way forward but are very quick in deducing +R6000 MONTHLY on life cover alone. Our insurance is with Discovery as well as our medical aid which has been for the last 8 years. Not the type of service you would expect for loyal clients.