Unum: One Woman's Story

Pembroke Pines, FLIt may have happened a few years ago, but the wound is still fresh for the Florida resident who had a run-in with Unum. The entire affair calls into question why, as consumers, we buy insurance in the first place. We pay our premiums religiously, only to be rebuffed when it comes time to make a legitimate claim.

Which begs the question: just who, if anyone, regulates the conduct of insurance companies?

Salli, from Pembroke Pines, had the unfortunate misfortune to fall and break her ankle. That left her in a cast for more than two months. As a policyholder in good standing with Unum, she filed a claim for short-term disability—which was her right, having paid all of her premiums diligently, and on time.

It should have been a basic, cut-and-dried transaction. But not so, says Salli. The first frustration came when Salli received her check, in the amount of just a little over $500. She had been expecting more, as it was her understanding that the amount of her compensation should have been based on her weekly salary and not her most recent paycheck, which represented a smaller amount.

Needless to say, that was a disappointment. But then Unum called back to demand that the check be returned, as it was their understanding that Salli had been on leave from her job when the accident happened. The latter was patently false, and Salli confirmed with her employer that they had, indeed, never communicated with Unum that Salli was on leave from her job.

Well, she was now...given that the cast on her right ankle precluded her from driving the 25 mile round trip to her job. Her doctor forbade her from driving. Salli says that the cast prevented her from wearing most of her work clothes, which was a requirement of her job.

No matter. Unum claimed through its representative that Salli could still perform her job, and according to Salli the agent became extremely rude and accused Salli of trying to "pull something." Needless to say, it left Salli completely disgusted with the entire incident.

"I never received a penny in compensation from Unum insurance. They are not in the least bit helpful and the premiums, although inexpensive are a waste of money. They seek any possible means for denying a claim.

"At the time my accident occurred we were not doing well financially. The money sure would have helped." Left with diminished household income for the two months she was off work, Salli adds that "we really had to struggle as my income was vitally needed. However, the agent I was dealing with was so upsetting I had to start taking medication for my nerves."

At the recent Annual General Meeting of Unum, company principles were bullish about the fortunes, and future of the company. A video circulating on YouTube extols the virtues of the company with a feel-good presentation bursting with pride. It was also reported recently that Unum is committed to not only serving its shareholders with robust performance, but also to its employees. Unum publicly boasts that Unum is a great place to work.

Too bad it isn't such a great place to hold insurance....