Dear Claudienne

In September 2008, an insurance agent introduced me to the products offered by Sagicor. On September 17, 2008 I bought three insurance policies: the Purple Shield policy for my father, the maximum protector for my mother, and an Ultra Life/Investment policy for myself. The monthly premiums were as follows: the Purple Shield premium, $3,800; the Maximum Protector $2,500, and the Ultra Life/Investment $1500.

In October 2008 I also bought a health insurance policy that had a monthly premium of $3,500. The total monthly premiums for the four policies was $11,300. Every month between October 2008 to July 2009, I gave the agent $11,300 to pay the premiums to Sagicor and sometimes he gave me receipts. On the occasions that I did not get a receipt he told me that there was a problem with the cashier or the system was down. However, he said that the payments were recorded and would be given to me with a statement showing all the payments that I had made.

In August my mother fell sick and attempted to use the health card. She was informed by the health provider that the computer system declined her health card. I contacted the agent and he told me that Sagicor was having difficulty with some of their products. He told me not to pay the August and September premiums for the four policies until the problem was rectified.

Shortly after this, the agent went to my mother’s house one night and asked her to sign a folded document without allowing her to read it. He also did not contact me even though he knew that I conducted all my mother’s business transactions. For several days after that I tried to contact him but he did not answer his cellphone. I then became suspicious and contacted the manager of the Sagicor branch where he worked and was informed that he had been fired.

I then proceeded to check on the policies and was told that the company had only received premiums for the month of September 2008.

I wrote to Sagicor and in mid-October the branch manager told me that the insurance company would write off the money that could not be accounted for. He said that a document would be prepared and signed by the president authorising the sum to be written off. 

For the last week I have been told about the president’s pending authorisation. I have not paid any premiums since August. In October an executive advised me not to make any more payments until the matter was sorted out.

I don’t know what to do. I am asking you to help me with this matter, and to find out for me if the total premiums owed since July will have to be made in one payment. I will not be able to pay the total amount owed in a lump sum.

MW

Dear MW

We spoke to the Assistant Vice-President Marketing at Sagicor Life Jamaica Limited. The AVP investigated and told Tell Claudienne that although you gave the agent premiums totalling $120,800 to pay to Sagicor, only $20,372 was applied to the accounts of three policies. She said that the agent did not submit the Ultra Life policy that you signed up for. So Sagicor’s books show three policies for your family.

The AVP said that Sagicor will immediately put back in force up to the end of November three policies. These are the Purple Shield and Maximum Protector and health policies, and for November you will be required to pay premiums of $19,546.62 towards them. The normal premiums will become due at the end of December.

In regard to the Ultra Life policy that is not reflected on the Sagicor system, the AVP said that you could sign up a new policy for it.

The AVP would like to speak with you, so please call her office and make an appointment to see her.

Good wishes.

Have a problem with a store, utility, a company? Telephone 511-2436 or write to: Tell Claudienne, c/o Sunday Finance Jamaica Observer, 40-42 1/2 Beechwood Avenue, Kingston 5; or e-mail: edwardsc@jamaicaobserver.com