Professional Adviser www.professionaladviser.com Lifesearch 'can't see downside' to SAR's <p><!--summary start--> Lifesearch has applauded Legal & General's use of subject access requests (SARs) to obtain extra medical data and said it is seeing positive results for clients. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2153985/lifesearch-downside-sars https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2153985/lifesearch-downside-sars Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:39:00 +0000 Battling for progress: GPRs vs SARs <p><!--summary start--> Subject access requests and online technology have opened the debate over GP reports. Ian Smart asks if this could remove a perennial insurance bugbear. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/feature/2144639/battling-progress-gprs-vs-sars https://www.professionaladviser.com/feature/2144639/battling-progress-gprs-vs-sars Tue, 21 Feb 2012 10:22:00 +0000 Risk Clinic: Over-insured, under-employed <p><!--summary start--> My 45-year-old client was made redundant due to the recession, but has recently started a new yet much lower-paid job. With his income protection (IP) policy covering his last wage level, he is now over-insured and would not be able to claim his full benefit sum. He has affordability problems with life and critical illness (CI) and we will probably have to downgrade him. What should I consider? <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/discussion/2144659/risk-clinic-insured-employed https://www.professionaladviser.com/discussion/2144659/risk-clinic-insured-employed Tue, 14 Feb 2012 15:15:50 +0000 Around the world: Hong Kong CI <p><!--summary start--> Critical illness products are continually evolving worldwide. With this in mind, Greg Becker checks out some interesting developments in Hong Kong. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/feature/2144634/world-hong-kong-ci https://www.professionaladviser.com/feature/2144634/world-hong-kong-ci Thu, 9 Feb 2012 12:31:00 +0000 British troops killed without life cover <p><!--summary start--> Dozens of soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan without taking out life insurance while thousands more have served active duty without cover, it has been revealed. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2144241/british-troops-killed-life-cover https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2144241/british-troops-killed-life-cover Mon, 6 Feb 2012 15:23:42 +0000 Interview - L&G's Russ Whitworth <p><!--summary start--> One of the most controversial developments in the protection industry over recent months has been the use of Subject Access Requests (SARs). Russ Whitworth told Owain Thomas a war with doctors may not actually be on the cards <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/interview/2142714/interview-gs-russ-whitworth https://www.professionaladviser.com/interview/2142714/interview-gs-russ-whitworth Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:30:00 +0000 L&G defends use of SARs for medical evidence <p><!--summary start--> L&G has given the use of Subject Access Requests (SARs) a ringing endorsement and said they produce much better results than other methods of obtaining medical information. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2142710/-defends-sars-medical-evidence https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2142710/-defends-sars-medical-evidence Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:21:00 +0000 WPA adds moratorium underwriting <p><!--summary start--> WPA has introduced moratorium underwriting on its individual private medical insurance (PMI) plans for clients who fit certain criteria. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2141682/wpa-adds-moratorium-underwriting https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2141682/wpa-adds-moratorium-underwriting Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:19:32 +0000 SARs challenge doctors to improve service - Pacific Life Re <p><!--summary start--> Pacific Life Re has applauded insurers for tackling the growing problem of long delayed GP reports (GPRs) by using data protection legislation to request medical information. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2140677/sars-challenge-doctors-improve-service-pacific-life https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2140677/sars-challenge-doctors-improve-service-pacific-life Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:00:00 +0000 LV= improves underwriting flexibility <p><!--summary start--> LV= has changed its underwriting rules to allow more applications to receive an immediate online decision. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2137361/lv-improves-underwriting-flexibility https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2137361/lv-improves-underwriting-flexibility Fri, 13 Jan 2012 10:15:02 +0000 Disease of the month: Thyroid disease <p><!--summary start--> Fergus Bescoby looks at the insurance implications of this condition which is particularly common in women <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/feature/2131283/thyroid-disease https://www.professionaladviser.com/feature/2131283/thyroid-disease Fri, 16 Dec 2011 10:21:00 +0000 Why these advisers avoid medical underwriting <p><!--summary start--> Could advisers find themselves in non-disclosure disputes with insurers if they help clients with their annuity paperwork? <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/feature/2132116/advisers-avoid-medical-underwriting https://www.professionaladviser.com/feature/2132116/advisers-avoid-medical-underwriting Thu, 15 Dec 2011 08:00:00 +0000 Treasury opens consultation on ECJ gender ruling <p><!--summary start--> The government has begun consulting on how insurers can use gender as a risk factor after a European Court of Justice ruling said providers could not charge different premiums to men and women because of their sex. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2131110/treasury-consults-industry-gender-neutrality https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2131110/treasury-consults-industry-gender-neutrality Thu, 8 Dec 2011 11:51:00 +0000 Around the world: South African viral marketing <p><!--summary start--> Underwriting requires information, so what can your connections tell us? Greg Becker visits South Africa to look at one idea. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/feature/2130445/world-south-african-viral-marketing https://www.professionaladviser.com/feature/2130445/world-south-african-viral-marketing Tue, 6 Dec 2011 14:30:00 +0000 Aviva upgrades large case underwriting <p><!--summary start--> Aviva has overhauled its approach to large case underwriting, to make the process quicker and easier. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2130068/aviva-upgrades-underwriting https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2130068/aviva-upgrades-underwriting Mon, 5 Dec 2011 11:54:43 +0000 Storm brews for clients over GP reports <p><!--summary start--> A row is brewing involving doctors and insurers that may result in advisers and their clients being stuck between the two factions. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2129510/storm-brews-clients-reports https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2129510/storm-brews-clients-reports Fri, 2 Dec 2011 07:00:00 +0000 Disease of the month: Polycystic kidney disease <p><!--summary start--> This genetic illness affects about one in 800 people in the UK. Mary Randell explains how advisers can offer cover for it <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/feature/2123176/polycystic-kidney-disease https://www.professionaladviser.com/feature/2123176/polycystic-kidney-disease Mon, 7 Nov 2011 15:12:00 +0000 Disease of the month: Barrett's Oesophagus <p><!--summary start--> Paul Gyseman looks at the insurance implications of this oesophageal condition and why underwriters need to be alert when assessing the long-term risks of this common disclosure <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/feature/2117616/disease-barrett-oesophagus https://www.professionaladviser.com/feature/2117616/disease-barrett-oesophagus Mon, 17 Oct 2011 15:42:00 +0000 Reinsurance: Longevity - Making the A grade <p><!--summary start--> Ron Wheatcroft discusses how three reports published in September demonstrate the difficulties in funding an ageing society. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/feature/2117403/reinsurance-longevity-grade https://www.professionaladviser.com/feature/2117403/reinsurance-longevity-grade Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:01:00 +0000 LV= cuts new business processing time <p><!--summary start--> LV= has revealed it completed almost two thirds (61%) of all protection applications from IFAs in five days or less last year. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2115957/lv-cuts-business-processing https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2115957/lv-cuts-business-processing Mon, 10 Oct 2011 14:59:46 +0000 Aviva cuts not taken up rates <p><!--summary start--> Aviva has reduced its not taken up (NTU) rates for protection products by a quarter over the last three years. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2114861/aviva-cuts-rates https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2114861/aviva-cuts-rates Thu, 6 Oct 2011 08:03:00 +0000 Disease of the month: Hypertension <p><!--summary start--> Despite being one of the most common conditions in the country, high blood pressure has serious underwriting consequences. Fergus Bescoby explains. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/feature/2108625/diesease-hypertension https://www.professionaladviser.com/feature/2108625/diesease-hypertension Wed, 28 Sep 2011 10:38:00 +0000 Population sub groups distorting life tables say actuaries <p><!--summary start--> Unmodelled aspects of longevity could invalidate insurer's predictions for policy pricing, reinsurer RGA has said. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2109844/population-sub-distorting-life-tables-actuaries https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2109844/population-sub-distorting-life-tables-actuaries Fri, 16 Sep 2011 14:33:00 +0000 Morgan Ash launches impaired annuities service and eyes LTC <p><!--summary start--> MorganAsh has officially launched Tele-Interviewing service for impaired annuities and is considering long term care market entry. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2109085/morgan-ash-launches-impaired-annuities-service-eyes-ltc https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2109085/morgan-ash-launches-impaired-annuities-service-eyes-ltc Wed, 14 Sep 2011 10:42:12 +0000 Risk Clinic: Addiction <p><!--summary start--> My client is a 48-year-old successful businessman with a wife and two children. He was a cocaine addict but has been through rehab three times and is currently clean. He also smokes. Having no protection at the moment, he is aware of the need to look after his wife and children. What are his options? <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/discussion/2099412/risk-clinic https://www.professionaladviser.com/discussion/2099412/risk-clinic Thu, 11 Aug 2011 16:19:00 +0000 Medicals Direct re-brands. <p><!--summary start--> Medicals Direct Group has re-branded itself as MDG. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2099829/medicals-direct-brands https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2099829/medicals-direct-brands Fri, 5 Aug 2011 14:36:33 +0000 Universal Provident brings underwriting in house <p><!--summary start--> Universal Provident has brought the underwriting of its product range in house with sister company Personal Assurance now the insurer. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2097343/universal-provident-brings-underwriting-house https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2097343/universal-provident-brings-underwriting-house Wed, 27 Jul 2011 15:06:00 +0000 Simplyhealth adds underwriting and pricing director <p><!--summary start--> Simplyhealth has appointed a new underwriting and pricing director. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2095117/simplyhealth-adds-underwriting-pricing-director https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2095117/simplyhealth-adds-underwriting-pricing-director Tue, 19 Jul 2011 14:42:23 +0000 Aviva trims life cover underwriting times <p><!--summary start--> Aviva has reduced the turnaround time for life cover medical evidence assessments with all underwriting decisions now being made within 24 hours. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2094413/aviva-trims-live-cover-underwriting-times https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2094413/aviva-trims-live-cover-underwriting-times Fri, 15 Jul 2011 14:44:00 +0000 Gear up for cover - Motorcycle racing <p><!--summary start--> With about 1.2 million active motorcyle riders in the UK, advisers would do well to familiarise themselves with covering the proportion who race. Andrzej Serwadczak explains <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/feature/2086674/gear-cover-motorcycle-racing https://www.professionaladviser.com/feature/2086674/gear-cover-motorcycle-racing Fri, 15 Jul 2011 12:07:00 +0000 Disease of the month: Gilbert's syndrome <p><!--summary start--> A quite common and relatively benign condition often seen on insurance applications, Paul Gyseman discusses the insurability factors and the pathophysiology of this illness <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/feature/2086713/gilbert-syndrome https://www.professionaladviser.com/feature/2086713/gilbert-syndrome Fri, 8 Jul 2011 13:59:00 +0000 Treasury confirms no retrospective gender-based underwriting <p><!--summary start--> The Treasury has confirmed new European rules outlawing the use of gender in underwriting will not affect policies taken out before 21 December 2012. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2083102/treasury-confirms-retrospective-gender-underwriting https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2083102/treasury-confirms-retrospective-gender-underwriting Thu, 30 Jun 2011 13:00:00 +0000 Cirecester friendly adds big T underwriting service <p><!--summary start--> Cirencester friendly has added big T underwriting to its IFA application process. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2078418/cirecester-friendly-adds-underwriting-service https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2078418/cirecester-friendly-adds-underwriting-service Mon, 13 Jun 2011 11:09:58 +0000 L&G increases medical underwriting limits <p><!--summary start--> Legal & General has raised its medical evidence limits for life and critical illness (CI) cover. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2075761/-increases-medical-underwriting-limits https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2075761/-increases-medical-underwriting-limits Thu, 2 Jun 2011 15:25:00 +0000 LV= halves tele-interview time <p><!--summary start--> LV= has cut the time taken to complete its tele-interviewing process by 50% during the last 12 months. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2075350/lv-halves-tele-interview https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2075350/lv-halves-tele-interview Wed, 1 Jun 2011 14:47:19 +0000 Obesity - A recipe for disaster <p><!--summary start--> Obesity and weight-loss surgery are serious and growing problems for underwriting insurances, as Nicky Bray explains <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/feature/2070538/recipe-disaster https://www.professionaladviser.com/feature/2070538/recipe-disaster Fri, 13 May 2011 14:40:00 +0000 Disease of the month: Hypermobility syndrome <p><!--summary start--> It's a term being seen more often on insurance applications - so what is it and what risk does it pose? Mary Randell explains <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/feature/2070551/disease-hypermobility-syndrome https://www.professionaladviser.com/feature/2070551/disease-hypermobility-syndrome Fri, 13 May 2011 14:32:00 +0000 Risk Clinic: Protecting those with pre-existing conditions <p><!--summary start--> I have a client who has many health problems, but recognises the significant need for protection. Due to his Crohn's disease, type 1 diabetes and heart condition, I have found it impossible to get cover from any of the major providers. Cost is not an issue, but what other options do I have? <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/discussion/2043162/study https://www.professionaladviser.com/discussion/2043162/study Wed, 13 Apr 2011 14:30:00 +0000 Disease of the month: Prostate cancer <p><!--summary start--> With no screening programme, this killer disease claims 10,000 lives a year - Fergus Bescoby takes us through the implications <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/feature/2043181/prostate-cancer https://www.professionaladviser.com/feature/2043181/prostate-cancer Wed, 13 Apr 2011 14:27:00 +0000