Articles by Nicola Culley
Care Bill: concerns raised over councils' definition of 'IFA'
Local authorities must provide care funders with information helping them to access independent financial advice, the revised Care Bill has stipulated, though concerns have emerged surrounding councils' definition of 'independent'.
D2C protection provider responds to CI criticism
A direct-to-consumer online protection provider has responded to claims that its critical illness cover is too basic, by stressing that the product will continue to develop as its simple online processes evolve.
Advisers revisit protection commission ban 'catastrophe'
Advisers and providers reiterated the "catastrophe" that would befall the advice sector if the incoming Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) read across a ban on commission in the retail investment market to protection.
Aviva adds to CI offering with health care support
Aviva has added second opinion and practical guidance services to its critical illness (CI) products for advised clients.
Protection provider calls for IP industry standard
Protection provider Cirencester Friendly has called for an industry standard for disclosing income protection (IP) claims statistics.
Industry calls for mandatory advice in Care Bill
Just Retirement has called on government to it make compulsory in the incoming Care and Support bill that local authorities refer care funders to regulated financial advisers.
Zurich to launch protection on its platform
Zurich is set to offer its protection proposition on its retail platform later in the year, to offer IFAs a complete holistic view of financial plans.
CMCs rake in £7.4m mis-sold PPI profit
The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) has paid out £136m in mis-sold payment protection insurance (PPI) claims since 2008, according to latest figures.
Advisers 'lose significant re-broking income' after G-day price rises
IFAs have lost significant protection policy renewal income following G-Day price hikes, an adviser has said.
Firms toil to build exec-only models
Advisory businesses are acknowledging the benefits of execution-only capability, but struggling to build viable propositions, according to one major adviser support group.
Plan Money partners with aggregator for non-advised service
Plan Money has partnered with an aggregator and launched its first automated, non-advised proposition for protection business.
LV= launches online G-day commission calculator
LV= has launched an online calculator for advisers to work out potential commission loss in the run up to G-Day.
Skandia confirms gender-neutral strategy
Skandia has announced its gender-neutral pipeline plans including the launch of tele-underwriting.
Aviva publishes 'G-Day' checklist for advisers
Insurer Aviva has announced its gender-day (G-Day) pipeline strategy, including I-E tax change details.
Bright Grey and Scottish Provident announce gender pipeline strategy
Bright Grey and Scottish Provident have announced their plan for Gender Directive pipeline business.
LV= announces pipeline strategy
LV= will switch its protection business to gender neutral rates on 1 December and has announced its pipeline strategy for advisers.
FSA says rules on advisers handling medical info adequate
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has said general rules governing the handling of clients' medical information by advisers are sufficient after concerns were raised by a provider.
CI claims rejected for non-disclosure remain low, says Zurich
Zurich's half year results showed 91% of critical illness (CI) claims were paid out.
Reshuffle an 'enormous risk' to social care reform
The ministerial reshuffle could pose a serious threat to the continuity and timescale of social care reforms, Partnership has said.
PruHealth capitalises on PruProtect IFA network
PruHealth is driving a broader reach across the IFA market by integrating more heavily with sister brand, PruProtect.
Advisers positive about protection business growth
Protection will be the biggest growth area for a third of advisers, a sentiment report has shown.
L&G upgrades critical illness cover
Legal & General (L&G) has made a number of changes to its critical illness insurance (CII) plans.
FSA successor must 'act more swiftly', says consumer panel
The incoming Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) must "act more swiftly" than its predecessor the Financial Services Authority (FSA), and ensure it utilises the full powers at its disposal, a body representing consumer interests has recommended.
Provider apologises for slow underwriting speeds
The new managing director of Bright Grey and Scottish Provident has admitted the provider has "taken its eyes off the ball" with underwriting speeds.
LV= launches online I-E support for advisers
Online adviser support on I-E tax changes and the gender directive has been launched by LV=.
Professional advice on long term care funding is imperative - Partnership
The elderly and their families need to seek professional advice on long-term care funding, Partnership has urged.
ABI: Age and disability pricing will not go same way as gender
The Association of British Insurers has said it is "extremely confident" age and disability pricing factors will not go the same way as gender with the incoming EU Equal Treatment Directive.
Govt 'knows importance of long-term care advice'
Advisers and self-funders can be confident that the importance of long-term care financial advice has been recognised by the government, Partnership has claimed.
Aviva extends CI cover
Aviva has extended cover on its critical illness (CI) policies with benefits for additional conditions, ABI+ definitions and child cover.
Aegon cuts life and IP rates ahead of gender directive
Aegon has cut individual life and income protection rates to take advantage of the gender directive.
PruProtect offers 30% free life cover and reprices IP
PruProtect will be offering 30% free life cover free for new Serious Illness Cover plan policyholders and has re-priced its income protection product.
Ross Ainslie to leave Royal London Group
Royal London has announced Ross Ainslie will step down as managing director of the Royal London protection businesses, Bright Grey and Scottish Provident