need to connect

Thank you for that info @Aquagirl. I can see it’s going to not necessarily be as straightforward as I thought it would be. Good advice about doubling estimate - the “I’ll be right” attitude is so me. I am self employed and my work requires not only long hours of mental exertion but an ability to present arguments/make submissions which are based in good rational and knowledgeable premises. Practically speaking I can be spending all day being constantly mentally and physically alert and then hours preparing for the next day. I can’t have “brain fog” or feel tired and fatigued - that would make my job extremely difficult to say the least. I have estimated 3 months from date of surgery but I haven’t even started the post op treatment. So your advice to double the estimate is sound. In my case I should probably triple it! Your advice to get my broker to deal with the claim itself is also sound. 

I am sorry to hear that you had to endure such a long and complicated operation. I really hope that you have now bounced back but hope that you take whatever time YOU need for you! Go for it. There’s a reason why we pay high premiums for income protection year after year - they may make it difficult for us but they won’t defeat us !!