The economic situation has hit many self-employed people hard and being properly insured can be crucial if you get sick. Maria Ulander is a hairdresser and has been self-employed since 1984.
Being on your own can give a certain amount of freedom, but it can come at the expense of the security that comes with employment – especially if you get sick.
– You are quite vulnerable, you are quite exposed. Because as I said, I can’t rent out my job and if you’re away for a long time, there are so many good hairdressers. So that you lose customers. You lose income, she says.
The insurance did not apply
At the beginning of September last year, the unthinkable happened. Maria broke her arm and went through foot surgery at the same time, which resulted in a four-month sick leave.
Fortunately, Maria had a long time ago acquired a safety net in case something happened to her. At least that’s what she thought.
– I got divorced in 2010 and then I changed the loans and was recommended by Nordea to take out loan protection insurance. When I called last fall to make use of my insurance, it turned out that it does not apply to self-employed people. And then I have paid for thirteen years, says Maria.
“Then I might have to sell the house”
When it turned out that Nordea had recommended the wrong insurance to Maria, she got back the amount she had paid in over the past 13 years.
Today, she can’t afford to get a new insurance that could help if she gets sick again, as the prices are significantly higher than 2010 levels, when Maria first took out the insurance.
– So I would break my arm again, for example, and be at home for four months. That… I don’t know if I could handle staying in my house. Then I might have to sell it.
Nordea has declined an interview but apologizes if their advice was interrupted.