In 2011, my daughter Kate, with Type 1 diabetes, was moved to insulin pump therapy and was provided with an Insulin pump by the NHS.

We were advised by the NHS Diabetic Specialist Nurse and the manufacturers’ representative to have the pump insured for accidental damage and theft (pump manufacturers provide warranty protection for pump failure/malfunction only).

We were told that if the pump was damaged or stolen then the NHS would not fund a replacement, and this would be at my expense.

So, where to go to get it insured?

The recommendation was to simply include the pump as a named item on my home contents insurance. Not so simple...

1. I could cover the pump potentially, but an excess may apply.
2. I was likely to face a renewal price increase if I made a claim.
3. Many home contents policies had onerous exclusions which made the value questionable.
4. No home insurers could guarantee a replacement pump within 48 hours upon receipt of a valid claim.
5. Most of the pump manufacturers would help patients with loan pumps to cover holidays abroad ONLY if the loan pump was insured.

So, what did I do?

I set up this product to ensure that anyone who is on insulin pump therapy has access to a competitive product with no excess and a dedicated UK based claims specialist team. I wanted to ensure that if someone made a claim, they would get their replacement pump immediately and the team I work with understand the importance of this requirement.

Fast forward to 2024 and when I renew my home insurance, I look at alternative providers and ask if they will insure Kate’s insulin pump. Most now will, but often the standard cover is not high enough to cover the full cost of the pump or the pump needs to be a specified item so it can be covered outside of the home.