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Newsletter

Asbestos sufferers 'need insurance industry's help'

By Marianne Straker, Mon 26 Apr 2010 - Published in Life Insurance

The insurance industry needs to do more to help people affected by asbestos-related conditions, it has been suggested.

Co-operative Insurance pointed out that thousands of workers came into contact with the substance without understanding it could cause health problems later in life and are now developing asbestosis, mesothelioma and asbestos-related lung cancer.

The group called on the insurance industry to find ways to make sure people and families affected by the conditions can access compensation even if their past employer has gone out of business.

David Neave, head of general insurance at the organisation, commented: "Co-operative Insurance is committed to treating its customers fairly and we feel that for the industry to turn their backs on victims of often terminal illnesses, which have been caused by their working environment, is morally wrong and unjustifiable."

Earlier this year, the Department for Work and Pensions announced that payments from the 2008 Mesothelioma Scheme will rise by around 40 per cent, with the minimum increasing from £8,197 to £11,678.

In addition, the maximum lump sum will be set at £75,176, rising from £52,772, to make payments the same as those made through the Pneumoconiosis (Workers' Compensation) Act 1979.