Don't rely on Norwich Union

[Mr Barking-Mad]

Hi everyone, this is my first post.

What has happened to Norwich Union in the last couple of years? I took out several policies with the old Commercial Union many years ago and of course they are now NU. My endowment policy seems to be going backwards even though its a 'safe' with profits policy. My AVC (remember them) is stationary (again with profits).

I had to claim on my income protection policy 5 years ago and their service and level of care was brilliant. They agree that I am unfit to resume my profession. In December (merry Xmas NU) they credited my account with £600 'to get some therapy' and then cancelled the claim.

I have appealed their decision twice and I have now appealed to the Ombudsman.

Have things changed at NU in the last couple of years for them to risk their good name?

To any prospective customers of Norwich Union I would be suggesting a barge pole and not touching them.

	The Financial Ombudsman Service For the most part, don't bother. The Ombudsman is an industry arranged service which is under-resourced, takes too long, lacks clear transparency. You have no idea what evidence the FOS has received from the bank or how your complain has really been handled. The FOS is the preferred complaints route for the banking industry. The county court is to be preferred by consumers for its speed, openness, the quality of its awards and also because it will award 8% interest on top of any damages won by you. The Ombudsman should normally be used to solving little technical difficulties or customer service problems which you have expereinced with your bank.

[LemonTwist]

Where did you buy the endowment policy from (direct or via an agent)? Were you advised at the time that there is a possibility it might not reach the target to pay off your mortgage?

What was the reason given for cancelling the income protection claim?

[Mr Barking-Mad]

The endowment was a small 20 year investment that was never linked to a mortgage, it did well for 10 years or so but next to nothing of late.

The IPP was based on me being too ill to be a teacher. However I had to see another shrink after 5 years of the claim. NU decided if I was to have some therapy I could do some home tuition. So they just put £600 into my account, told me to arrange it and stopped the claim.

I work full time as a driver at the moment but the money is a lot less than a teacher. Even with private tuition I would be earning far less and having a 60 hour week.

My argument is that there is no certainty that therapy would work when I have had tons of it in the past. Further private tuition in the evenings is not comparable to being a classroom teacher. They concede I am not fit to be a teacher.

It is with the FSO now.

Norwich Union have changed in the last few years. I used to have motor insurance and health insurance with them but the premiums became sky high.

	Car Insurance

[68904]

When I was young my Dad told me, that you dont trust eatate agents, banks, solicitors, accountants and all the rest of those people who take 15% off you before you get your money.
Now 55 years later I see no reason to doubt what my dad told me.
As Tonto said to the Lone Ranger.

" They Speak with forked tongue.. "

68904