Judge strikes out case — but urges insurer to reconsider paying out

A High Court judge issued a “heartfelt plea” to an insurance company to re-consider the plight of a man refused payment under his serious illness policy because he underwent surgery on one, rather than two, arteries as required by the policy.

Mr Justice Gerard Hogan said the law obliged him to strike out an action by Florence Crowley against Zurich Life Assurance plc but he had “considerable sympathy” for Mr Crowley.

The man was “doubly disadvantaged” having clearly suffered a serious illness which greatly diminished his earning capacity, he said.