Real life | 10 January 2013

The Bupa Blooper. In years to come, that is how I shall refer to what happened when I inadvertently cancelled my health insurance policy, with what certain people seemed to think were hilarious consequences. It all began when my policy came up for renewal and I tried to change my direct debit mandate so that the monthly payments were taken from a different account. I know, that way madness lies. Never, ever change your direct debit for anything unless you are prepared to send the whole thing to hell in a handcart.

But they gave me the impression that changing my bank details would be perfectly straightforward. They sent me a form, I filled it in, posted it back in the pre-paid envelope, and waited a few weeks before cancelling the old direct debit, which I assumed was now defunct. I see now that to take such a trusting course of action was purest madness.