Travel Insurance Provider to Review Cases After Doctor’s Suspension
Policyholders who were denied payouts or compensation by one of Britain’s biggest travel insurance providers are set to have their cases reviewed following the suspension of the company’s top doctor for medical misconduct.
The Financial Ombudsman Service has appointed a legal firm to review 20 cases where Miguel Nadal, the former medical director of Travel Insurance Facilities (TIF), provided evidence. TIF previously operated an emergency assistance service for well-known brands such as Boots and the Post Office.
In July, Nadal was suspended from the medical profession for a year due to “deplorable” misconduct. He failed to pursue the evacuation of a desperately ill holidaymaker from an inadequate Turkish hospital and exaggerated the risks of air ambulances to the family of another critically ill policyholder in a Lanzarote hospital.
Reviewing Cases of Mistreatment
Many other customers who fell ill abroad and felt mistreated by TIF or had their claims unfairly denied, lodged complaints with the ombudsman service. However, in some instances, the ombudsman sided with the insurance company after considering evidence submitted by Nadal on behalf of TIF. These cases are now being reviewed by the ombudsman.
The ombudsman service stated, “When people who are travelling overseas become seriously unwell, they can find themselves in an extremely vulnerable situation. It is imperative that insurers treat everyone with decency and fairness. Where there are concerns that this has not happened, firms must deal with consumers’ complaints effectively.
“We have commissioned a counsel-led independent review of the small number of cases where Dr Nadal’s medical advice was a factor. This independent review will identify any grounds for further action including, if appropriate, reopening investigations.”
The ombudsman has not disclosed which cases are being reviewed. However, one case highlighted by The Times involved a family whose relative was denied an air ambulance after falling seriously ill abroad.
Call for Change
James Daley, the founder of Fairer Finance, expressed support for the ombudsman’s review. He stated, “It’s great that the ombudsman is reviewing TIF cases where Dr Nadal’s evidence may have influenced the decision. Too often we have seen the ombudsman rely on testimony from insurers without verifying the facts. That must change. And it’s clearly now time for the Financial Conduct Authority to create new rules around how insurers deal with emergency medical claims.”
The ombudsman confirmed that its audit of cases involving Nadal is ongoing, so the number of complaints sent for review may increase. It also announced plans to establish a wider technical panel to provide advice on the use of evidence in complex medico-legal, fraud, and FinTech cases.
Travel Insurance Facilities Responds
In response to the review, TIF, which operates brands such as HolidaySafe, Alpha, and albert & eddie, stated, “We confirm that the Financial Ombudsman Service has contacted us for information about historic cases involving a doctor who advised us. We have been fully cooperating with the requests for information and will assist the Ombudsman in any way we can during its review of selected cases.”
TIF also emphasized that Nadal was not the main doctor involved in the case mentioned by the ombudsman.
Author’s Quote
“The ombudsman’s review of TIF cases involving Dr Nadal’s evidence is a crucial step towards ensuring fair treatment for policyholders. It highlights the need for greater scrutiny of insurers’ practices in handling emergency medical claims.” – [Author’s Name]
Author’s Conclusion
The suspension of Travel Insurance Facilities’ top doctor has prompted a review of cases where policyholders were denied payouts or compensation. The ombudsman’s decision to reexamine these cases is a positive development, as it ensures that insurers are held accountable for their treatment of vulnerable individuals. This review also underscores the importance of establishing stricter regulations to govern insurers’ handling of emergency medical claims.
George Barham, an accomplished journalist and avid gambling enthusiast, serves as the esteemed Editor-in-Chief at fly-to-australia.com, Australia’s leading source for comprehensive gambling news and insights. With an unwavering passion for both the written word and the ever-evolving world of betting and gaming, George brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the helm of our editorial team.
