The poetry of insurance
Sir: Auberon Waugh quite unjustifiably names the Sun Alliance in the course of his scatter-gun attack upon British institutions (Another voice, 27 June) which he now charges with a lack of honesty or benevo- lence. However, it is just not true that the 1975 insurance case which gave rise to the Aldington libel action was one where, as he alleges, Sun Alliance 'failed to pay up on a life policy because of some small print con- dition'.
Such wild allegations needlessly worry holders of life policies and deserve refuta- tion. The policy in question was not a life policy (which of course retains its validity even if the policyholder's health declines), but accident cover purchased on an annual basis which had been renewed whilst the unfortunate man concerned was seriously ill — indeed had been hospitalised twice within the previous few months — and yet this crucial fact had not been disclosed to the underwriters.
If Mr Waugh does not perceive that it is against his own interest as a citizen (and, presumably, a holder of insurance policies) for insurance companies to hand out his hard-earned premiums to people who have made risk contracts on a less than frank basis, then I am reminded of Housman's comment that the recognition of some truths needs only a moment's thought, but that there are some for whom thought is irksome and a moment is a long time.
D.J.Miller
Sun Alliance Group, 1 Bartholomew Lane, London EC2
Previous page
