Health and protection insurance complaints falling

Protection and medical insurance complaints are on course for a significant drop in volume during 2010/11, according to the latest statistics released by the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS).

However more private medical insurance (PMI) and dental complaints are being upheld than last year.

FOS's figures show that complaints against some protection and health products have dropped by as much as a fifth over the first three quarters of the year.

PMI and dental cover is leading the way with totals currently 20.4% down on last year's pace, with the quarterly total falling throughout the year, currently totaling 389 received by the FOS.

Although, the uphold rates of these complaints is currently hovering around 50%, far higher than last year's final rate of 35%.

Business protection (down 16.8%) and critical illness (15.8%) show marked falls in complaints, while income protection (7%), term assurance (8%) and whole of life (5%) numbers have also dropped, but less significantly.

Full statistical details by product types for the third quarter can be seen on the FOS website.

The Ombudsman will release its next update on complaints figures, including by individual firms, at the year end.