Just to add a little balance....
A while ago I was working at an insurance company, a new girl had started and had been there a couple of weeks when the MD happened to get into the same lift.

He, very politely (he was a pretty nice bloke by all accounts - most of the time), asked the girl, by name (he had a knack for that, remembering people's names - there were 2000 employees and he knew each and every one of us by name, I kid you not), how her first week was going.

"Not really very well," she said, "I really don't think I'm cut out for this Insurance lark".

Well, let's be honest, most people within their first week would have lied and said something like "Not bad, really enjoying it" etc.... but the reason she thought she wasn't cut out for it is because, well, she wasn't a cnut, and insurance companies, like banks, usually are.

This girl was employed to answer the complaints line (called the Customer Service Line), so she was never really going to hear good stories, but this one, possibly the third call she'd taken on her own was particularly heart-renching.
She'd taken a call from an elderly lady who'd changed her life insurance from a Bupa accredited plan to one of ours - no doubt after much cold calling.
About 6 months later, she discovered a heart condition that could have been fixed on the NHS, but only in as much as it would keep her alive. If she wanted an operation that would render her still able to be active, then there was a cost of 18 grand - which clearly she could not afford.
As we were only the agent for the insurance, the ultimate decision to pay out was up to the underwriters.
They, of course, dug into her medical history and found that around 35 years ago, the woman had been diagnosed with a slight heart murmur. I have no real idea what that means, but am assured that it's nowhere near as bad as it sounds.

The pound being the almighty, the underwriters saw this as a neat little way to wriggle out of paying, as she had declared that she had no health defects when she took the policy.
The lady was distraught; this meant that the two dogs she had would have to go as she would be out of breath walking to the front door let alone walking her dogs twice a day.

The MD of the company, asked the girl in the lift to his office and asked her why she replied in the way she did. She explained the story to him.

This MD had been at the company at this point for around 3 weeks. He went to see the chairman, and asked what he should do about it. The Chairman replied, "Why are you asking me? You're the MD..."

...and so, the company paid the 18 grand for the old lady to have her operation. The girl was told, and was asked to phone her up with the good news.

The op. went ahead, and the lady knitted a thanky you letter to the girl. Yes, knitted it, and sent it in with pics of her walking her dogs.

Not all managers are cocks.
(dchurch bah, Wed 16 Jun 2010, 11:42, 15 replies)

I want a knitted thankyou letter!

( Ring Of Fire A petty, drooling belming butthurt retard., Wed 16 Jun 2010, 11:46, closed)

... and the girl was thanked very much, given a big smile, and then pushed out of the window of the top floor.
A mate recently had to deal with a woman who was left quadraplegic from a car crash and needing 24/7 care who wasn't going to get any compo because the insurance company proved she'd had a cigarette approximately nine months before, thereby invalidating her medical policy.
( Je suis un vagabond is an unfunny, up your own arse middle class knob, Wed 16 Jun 2010, 11:49, closed)

Jesus!
Really?
(dchurch bah, Wed 16 Jun 2010, 12:08, closed)

Yep.
It's proper rocked his head - he's a really lovely guy - one of those irritatingly fun, positive people who always looks on the bright side - and he's quite darkened by it.
( Je suis un vagabond is an unfunny, up your own arse middle class knob, Wed 16 Jun 2010, 12:10, closed)

*proved* ?
A photo on facebook or summat?
(tweebianmonkey Should be known as Widget, Wed 16 Jun 2010, 14:18, closed)

Dunno - some blood test, hair test or summat?
He did tell me, but I'm arse at details.
( Je suis un vagabond is an unfunny, up your own arse middle class knob, Wed 16 Jun 2010, 16:11, closed)

hair samples...
that's why for 2 or 3 cigars a year, and the occassional weakness for a malboro (just the one mind) I'm official insured as a smoker...

Arses
( notmyrealname, Wed 16 Jun 2010, 22:48, closed)

Holy interplanetary yard stick Batman!
But seriously, that is terrible. And you know the bastard who proved that probably got a bonus for it!
(satanstolemyteddybear Mu hõljuk on angerjaid täis, Wed 16 Jun 2010, 14:47, closed)

bastards!
main story is lovely, this one makes me want to SMASH things!

honestly both these stories would make for great stories in a docu-film kind of thing.
(DreddPirateBob has watched every scifi film ever on, Wed 16 Jun 2010, 19:15, closed)

Great story
It's good to hear about things liek this. Means I shouldn't lose all faith in humanity just yet.
(robbersdog, Wed 16 Jun 2010, 12:05, closed)

I would quite
happily wear my finger to a nubbin clicking this, if it wasn't for the fact I'd be facing an NHS waiting list to get it semi-functional again.
(berk, Wed 16 Jun 2010, 12:10, closed)

Having worked in Life Assurance
this warms the cockles of my heart
( Colonel Dracula Two manky hookers and a racist dwarf, Wed 16 Jun 2010, 12:42, closed)

I like this
very much of lots
(Super Oaf Petit filous?, Wed 16 Jun 2010, 12:55, closed)

Hooray!
Common sense? Who'd a thunk it?
( Blind Meach Cautiously optimistic, Wed 16 Jun 2010, 14:05, closed)

thats sweet
and desrving a click
( zulu eh?, Wed 16 Jun 2010, 14:48, closed)