Policy dispute

Been with the insurer for 10 months, found out i have 3 outstanding premiums over this 10 months afte4 i made a claim and i was told its no problem they will deduct those premiums from the cover amount and i should expect the money within 48 hours, 3 days later still no money then i asked the company and they say they can't pay because of the 3 unpaid premiums, funny thing they say my policy isn't active until i pay for 6 months consecutively but i already have 7 paid months out of this 10 month period. How absurd is this.