18KIT
Should you cover your kit?
You are not likely to forget where you were when you,
or your loved one, was diagnosed with diabetes. John
Bainbridge shares his experience of his daughter being
diagnosed and how it inspired him to help.
Due to my many
years' experience
in the insurance
industry, I set
about trying to
insure the pump.
I realised quite
quickly that there
weren't many
viable options
"Hearing about your child getting
diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes is
one of those 'where were you when
you heard about the moon landings?'
moments (yes, I am showing my
age!). I was abroad in 2011 when
my wife called to tell me that our
daughter had been diagnosed with
T1D. I would add that this was after
months of pushing our doctors for
some sort of diagnosis for what she
was experiencing, and that we were
reporting back to them. Even though
the outcome was not what we would
have wanted, I am glad we pushed as
hard as we did. To a great extent, a
diagnosis is a relief. At least you can
start dealing with it.
"Following the diagnosis, she went
straight to an injecting on a basal/
bolus regime, using a long-acting
insulin (for background coverage)
and short-acting insulin (to cover
meals) as did pretty much all newly
diagnosed T1Ds back then - and even
now. It was some years before it was
obvious to all that controlling her
blood glucose was a real challenge
and that she needed to go on an
insulin pump. When we received the
why insuring insulin pump and CGM
equipment via a 'Home contents
policy' might not be the best solution.
1. Claim settlement time. This is
crucial. When a pump user is
without their pump, their life
changes. They have to revert to
a basal/bolus insulin injection
regime (having kept necessary
supplies handy as a back-up
already). This makes blood
glucose control much more
difficult as you are really back to
basics and having to go back to
multiple daily injections (MDI).
2. Process roadblocks and delays.
Even if the general home
contents insurer agrees the claim
quickly, they do not have supply
relationships with the major pump
and CGM manufacturers which
will inevitably introduce delay.
3. International cover for main
and loan pump. Pump/CGM
manufacturers may lend users
equipment whilst they travel
abroad, but only if it is insured.
This ensures continuity of
treatment should the main
equipment fail or be lost or stolen.
4. Policy 'Excess and Renewal'
charges. It is normal in the
insurance world for policies to
include an excess charge should
a claim be made, especially for
high value items. In addition, a
policy cost uplift at renewal would
be likely.
pump, we were told in no uncertain
terms that if something were to
happen to the pump (other than
product failure), we would have to
replace it ourselves, which would be
a lot of money.
"Due to my many years'
experience in the insurance industry,
I set about trying to insure the pump.
I realised quite quickly that there
weren't many viable options."
Home alone?
Bainbridge contacted his home
contents insurer, as many of us may
have done.
However, the main thing he want
to share as a result are the reasons