'The man can't win whatever he does' - insurance company slammed for 'shameful' decision over dying cancer patient

An insurance company has been slammed after a 'shameful' decision about a dying cancer patient.

A grandad with terminal cancer who has been paying life insurance premiums for 15 years has been told he can't cash out on his policy. Shaun Pinkney, 53, is unable make a claim because he doesn't have long enough left on his plan, Aviva bosses say.

The small print, they say, states someone with a terminal illness can only make a claim if they have 18 months or more left on their policy - even though Shaun did not receive his diagnosis until that deadline had already passed. Shaun - a dad-of-four and grandad-of-six from Salford - has two months left on his policy, and has also been told he can't renew because of his diagnosis.

The story, reported by the Manchester Evening News, has prompted backlash from readers, with a number of social media users saying: "Shame on Aviva."

In the wake of the public backlash, Shaun says he's been contacted by people who cannot understand Aviva's decision. "This situation is just one thing I didn’t think I would have to worry about," Shaun told the M.E.N. today. "A lot of people have been in touch and can’t believe you need 18 months left on the contract, it's crazy."

READ MORE: 'I'm dying and my life insurance company won't give me a penny'

Shaun says he has been left caught in a trap where his diagnosis came too late and the 18 month deadline had already passed, so he cannot claim the terminal illness benefit where he would receive a life insurance payment early. But now, the rest of his life insurance policy is due to expire in just two months and he will be left with no cover, as he cannot renew or get any more life insurance precisely because of his terminal status.

"So, if I'd got