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| Insurance Lobbying |
| Petitioning ASIC Directly |
| Petitioning Your Local Federal Member |
| The following resource is designed to allow sufferers of ME/CFS/FM to attain justice over insurance companies. It is no secret that insurance companies are not paying legitimate claims for ME or CFS or FM. This is unfair in terms of the Insurances Contracts Act 1984. Section 55A of the Act allows the Australian Securities and Investment Commission to take up legal action against companies and the industry if there is a systematic abuse or breach of the Act. Quite clearly this systematic abuse exists. The problem is that ASIC is underfunded and will not act on the complaints, even though it is quite obviously a systematic abuse of the Act. This resource is a guide to trying to get ASIC to take action. The following Link will send you to the extracts from Jim Pearce MP's statements in Queensland Parliament on the issue of AXA and the insurance industry. Jim's efforts were concerted and persistent, and ultimately AXA settled the claim after the fourth mention of the company in Parliament. This is an example of what petitioning a local member can do. Jim Pearce's Hansard Extract's of Speeches in Queensland Parliament |
| Actions Taken by MP's in the Past |
| The following Link will give you a guide on how to approach your local member in order to address your situation. Campaigns are no necessarily the way to effectively initiating action. I believe that a more subtle approach via Federal MP's is the best approach. Federal MP's deal with their own consultants on a personal basis. They look after their own areas and their own people. If they approached, they will generally meet with you, and will, if you outline your needs, write to the appropraite Minister to address your concerns. If we get enough local members to approach the Minister with the problem, the Minister will begin to see the pattern of abuse being carried out by Insurer's and ask ASIC why it is not being investigated. ASIC, in light of HIH's collapse, shoudl hopefully be more sensitive to Insurance problems. Are these non-payments by Insurance Companies an indication as to corporate wellbeing? Take these guides into advisement and take action now! Initiating Action by Your Local MP If you commence an action, feel free to send a copy of your complaint to: mecfs_insurance_victims@hotmail.com |
| The following Link will provide directions on a concerted effort to provide ASIC with the names and details of Insurance Companies that have cancelled or denies claims. This effort began in March 2001, and requires all people affected by this type of unfair cancellation or denial to let ASIC know. Theoretically ASIC can take action under S. 55A, but they are stating they need to see a pattern. This will provide that pattern by providing real cases. The only way we can possibly get action is to provide the information that ASIC needs to act. This action runs hand in hand with approaching Federal MP's on the issue. Please read the following and take action immediately. Unofficial Word Copy of Complaints Form to DownLoad How to Lodge Your ASIC Complaint to Initiate a Representative Action ASIC Policy Statement on Intervention If you commence an action, feel free to send it to me at: mecfs_insurance_victims@hotmail.com |
| The following Link relates to a Canadian experience with ME/CFS and Insurance Company Doctors. Looking at the allegations made, it is not dissimilar to what occurs here. Maybe some action needs to be organised by the National ME/CFS body to poll sufferers about what Doctors do or what? Canadian Insurance Medico Problems |
| Overseas Experience With Insurance Companies |