INSURANCE companies, often seen as fair game for rip off, have to contend with a variety of imaginative claims which come in bewildering guises. The news agencies this week report an unusual malpractice suit now being contested in the courts by an American medical insurer, which is challenging the validity of a £200,000 demand by a psychiatrist on behalf of one of its clients. The client, a female business executive, had sought specialist treatment for depression brought about by work stress. The insurer is questioning treatments on the basis that the woman had 120 personalities, including a duck and a reincarnation of Howard Hughes. But what it really getting up its corporate nose is the claim for group session therapy as the woman allegedly required counselling for a number of her split personalities. Pedantically, the insurer argues that a single claim is unacceptable, and that fees should be separately submitted for each of the "personalities" counselled. The situation, which would even tax the patience of the VHI, has left the insurer facing large legal fees. It is two minds whether or not to settle out of court.