Life insurance service
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