I just shopped a case through Special Risk Services that could have been shopped two ways. A successful attorney had a history of a DUI, an arrest for possession of marijuana, admitted use of marijuana up to about a year ago and over the past year started taking Vicodin for a back injury. He had just recently had a talk with his wife about the fact that he was still taking Vicodin and his back injury had been healed for some time. They flushed his most recent prescription down the John and he called me.
After discussing this with Rich Fuller we both saw where a trial could be presented saying nothing more than he had been taking Vicodin for a back injury but was no longer taking it. That’s a true statement. He never talked to his doctor about potential addiction. We probably would have received several favorable responses, although quoted with caution because an underwriter would have to look at that track record and wonder if the guy isn’t something of an addictive personality. We agreed that broaching the subject of possible addictive issues was better and really negated any chance of something coming out of the records and biting the client, so I presented this email:
“PI born 3/30/72, 6’, 185, non smoker. Married and successful attorney for 15 years. Has used marijuana in the past but not in the last year. 4/07 arrested for possession of marijuana. Fine and 6 months unsupervised probation. 12/06 dui. At the time he was drinking as much as a 6 pack of beer on occasion. Has cut back to an occasional glass of wine with dinner. Heart murmur diagnosed as a child with no change. Diagnosed 3 years ago ADHD. Takes 40mg Vyvanse. Suffered back injury when two of his children jumped on him a year and a half ago. Prescribed Vicodin and took on and off since through a re injury. After a heart to heart with his wife about the potential addictive qualities of Vicodin he quit completely a month ago and is getting relief through chiropractor. Looking for $1mm-$2mm term.”
Taking the route of discussing addictive issues in the trial certainly cut down on the number of offers we got, but we did get a good offer and it cuts out the possibility of an underwriter making an issue out of it once they review the records.
If you have any questions or need help with cases like this call Rich or Tim Fuller at 800-933-5491 or email rfuller@srsinc.com and tjfuller@srsinc.com.
-By Ed Hinerman, manager of Risk Life Insurance and Hinerman Group.