Life insurance service

In 1992 my father was offered a life insurance policy by an agent of Dharmala Manulife Insurance Company. Considering the humanitarian function of the life insurance business, we agreed to take the policy at a cost of US$500,000. We had confidence in Dharmala's reputation, especially given the fact it is in partnership with Manulife, the biggest life insurance company in Canada.

In the process of applying for the life insurance my father, Paulus Tanuhandaru, followed all the required procedures including a complete medical checkup at the Tatia Medical Center clinical laboratory appointed by Dharmala. For any other medical statements, my father also attached the name of his private doctor that could be contacted at any time. The life insurance policy No.421041997-6 was issued on Aug. 19, 1992 after he had completed all the procedures and passed the medical examinations. My father paid the insurance premiums regularly on time ever since.

On March 29, 1994, my father died of heart cancer. The malignant cancer cells were only detected on Dec. 22, 1992 following a pathology check at Gatot Subroto Hospital (RSPAD). It was a great loss to us all. Another calamity had yet to occur i.e. Dharmala Manulife insurance refused to pay our claim, saying that my father had suffered from terminal cancer before he was registered as a Dharmala policy holder.

But Dharmala has not been able to prove their allegation. What a poor attitude. If they alleged that my father had suffered from cancer before taking the life insurance policy, why did Dharmala accept the deal? After all, my father had passed all medical examinations and the results were fine. Why did Dharmala only raise the issue after my father had died and could not defend the company's baseless allegation? Is it a naked truth that life insurance policies are sold full of sweetness, but it's hard to pay the rightful claim?

We have referred the case to Bapak Adi Purnomo, Vice President of PT Dharmala Manulife Insurance, but he handed over the case to their lawyer. So we, still young in age, have to encounter the company's lawyer. We do not know where to direct our complaint and we do not have enough funds to fight this injustice. Dharmala did not only refuse to pay our claim but was also unwilling to refund the premiums we had already paid.

We appeal for help from related parties such as the Indonesian Consumers Institution, the Indonesian Insurance Council and other agencies.

MARCELLINA TANUHANDARU

Jakarta