As we approach the end of 2022, it marks the first anniversary of Claims Advocacy, and I couldn’t be happier that I decided to take my passion for client advocacy in the specialised world of complex risk insurance claims.
It is a challenging area that I have always loved immensely, as I enjoy being in the client’s corner to potentially secure a successful outcome for them. I have taken the time to reflect on all the hard work done throughout the year and am pleased to share the wrap-up with you:
- I reached out to many of my industry peers, discussing how Claims Advocacy could assist clients with complex claims situations. They were not only incredibly supportive of my transition into this space but were extremely happy to know that they could use my services in need, especially where there was a need to escalate the claim situation with the IDR or AFCA.
- Based on the market research, it was evident that there’s always an enormous number of people looking to lodge/discuss the potential for a claim; or their options where the insurer had declined a claim but who don’t have an adviser. Sadly, these people are oblivious that there are specialist firms like Claims Advocacy who can assist them, so they invariably end up engaging expensive legal firms to help them.
- I had an excellent opportunity to speak to Money Management about my transition into Claims Advocacy, the reasons and passion for it
- My love for this space and resolve to assist people only gets more significant when I hear
– ASIC expressing their concern that “some insurers still appear to be ‘fishing’ for non-disclosures to avoid paying out legitimate claims” – Life insurers still falling short on claims handling says ASIC
– About insurers allegedly failing to act with utmost good faith during claims handling – ASIC commences proceeding against OnePath Life - It has been an absolute pleasure to take on some clients that required escalating their claims decisions/situations to the IDR/AFCA. Although these cases can take an awful lot of time to reach an outcome, it is incredibly gratifying to be able to assist these clients and hold their hands when they are most vulnerable – financially, mentally and emotionally. To name a few client situations that I have helped/continue to assist with:
– A Life insurance claim declined by an insurer based on non-disclosure they have deemed as “fraudulent.”
– A trauma claim declined by an insurer a few years ago based on medical definition technicality.
– A client lost their life/TPD cover within super as a result of Putting Member Interest First without their knowledge but was required to lodge a TPD claim.
On a personal note, it has been a milestone year for our family in which:
– my loving partner (Jyoti) and I completed 20 years of togetherness
– our beautiful daughters, Saumya and Diya, turned 18 & 16, respectively
– we welcomed Luna, a rescued cat, to our family
– Saumya aced her VCE with an ATAR of 95.1
– supervised 60 hours of driving for my two daughters
– pleased to have ticked off my 10th Blood/Plasma donation
– visited my home country (India) for a few weeks, attended my niece’s wedding and got my father to come with me and spend a few months here with us, which was so good after the sad loss of my mum and brother last year; and
– spent more quality time with my family than I ever had since starting my financial planning career 22 years ago – thanks to Claims Advocacy, not only I get to follow my passion for clients advocacy but also live my ideal life.
I want to thank all the clients for trusting me and allowing me to work with them and assist with their various situations. It’s been an absolute privilege and pleasure to do so. I’d also like to thank my incredible network of peers, former colleagues and friends for their support & encouragement, for being great advocates, for introducing me to various opportunities, and for assisting me anytime, I lent to them. They have all been fantastic, and I will be grateful forever.
And finally, on behalf of the Claims Advocacy team, we hope you have a good break and wish you and your family a happy festive season and a prosperous new year, and I look forward to touching base/catching up/working together in 2023.
We will be taking a break from 23rd Dec to 31st Jan. However, I am only a phone call away for anything urgent.
Warm regards,
Anuj Shangle
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