STATEMENT REGARDING NSW POLICE INSURANCE CLAIMS
October 28, 2015
MetLife is aware of concerns raised by a group of claimants over the handling of total and permanent disability (TPD) claims lodged under the NSW Police Blue Ribbon Insurance (PBRI) Scheme and relating to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
MetLife recognises that PTSD is a very serious issue and understands the challenges facing former police officers who are suffering from the condition.
As the former insurer to the scheme, MetLife has acted in good faith and has paid out over $215 million in claims to former police officers since 2005.
MetLife has received 775 Death and Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) claims through the PBRI scheme. 85% of the TPD claims relate to mental health concerns such as PTSD. These kinds of claims are extremely complex and require comprehensive and detailed assessment, with advice from a number of independent medical specialists. MetLife has a responsibility to all policy-holders and partners to apply rigorous assessment to claims to ensure that genuine claims, which meet the definition of TPD, are paid.
As an insurer, MetLife is unable to comment on individual claims, however all claims are assessed against a standard life insurance definition of TPD which requires a claimant to demonstrate that he or she is totally and permanently incapacitated to such an extent as to render them unlikely ever again to be employed in a reasonably suitable job.
We have completed the assessment of claims made by all ex-NSW police before 2015, with the exception of eight complex claims that remain under review. MetLife is working in close cooperation with First State Super, and other specialist parties to ensure these claims are finalised as soon as possible.