by Susan Edmunds
They say they are becoming more common but that the industry struggles to understand how to deal with them.
Kelly Wilson, president and director of forensic services at Psy Barr, spoke at reinsurance firm RGA’s seminar in Sydney recently.
She said a forensic approach, using psychological testing, was better placed to offer evidence on whether claimants were sufficiently disabled to qualify for an insurance claim.
Wilson said: “We have found that our scientific, independent involvement in assessing disability claims of a psychological nature has changed the way all stakeholders view such claims. Depression is an illness like any other and requires scientific treatment in much the same way.”
She said American judged and juries afforded more weight to experts who used psychological testing to support their opinions.
RGA claims manager Roy Johnston said the proportion of mental health claims as a percentage of all disability claims had increased considerably.
He said a forensic approach was necessary to ensure the sustainability of Australian income protection, group salary continuation and lump sum insurance markets.
Vice president, business development, Andre Dreyer said: “The life insurance industry in Australia continues to struggle to come to terms with disability claims with mental health claims a major driver."
Ed Saul, of New Zealand's pinnacle life, agreed mental health claims were problematic because they are not black and white. "It's one of the most difficult areas."
He said his company had not looked at anything like the approach suggested.
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