would that policy be a joint one by any chance, sounds like it might be as some of them were previously based on total sum insured, in this case 1200, but in the case of a claim it was paid out in the same percentage as your salary contributed to mortgage. in other words if for example both parties were earning 30k p.a. and equal contributors then if one was out of work 50% of claim, ie 600 was paid. If one earned 10k & one 30k then if 10k person was out of work, 25% of claim was paid or if 30k person then 75% paid. Sounds complicated and new policies arent done that way any more but some of the existing ones are still on that basis.