Cirencester Friendly has announced that 94% of its income protection (IP) claims were paid last year.

Adviser network Sesame has announced Royal London and Moneygate IFA Ltd as its top protection provider and protection adviser of the year.

Aviva has entered the group critical illness market with the unveiling of a new product.

Health Shield has announced a strong performance last year as its annual premium income increased to more than £20m and earned premiums grew by 12%.

Lifequote is aiming to help advisers address the threat of online competition with a series of protection training workshops.

Aegon paid a marginally lower percentage of critical illness (CI) claims in 2009, but declines due to non-disclosure fell from a half to a third.

Legal and General has announced it paid 93.6% of critical illness claims in 2009.

Fortis UK has announced its protection operation made "good progress" last year and also revealed its proposed new name, Ageas.

ALC Health has launched a partnership with HTH Worldwide providing access for its members to doctors and hospitals in 180 countries.

Medicals Direct is now providing underwriting facilities to enable insurers a more cost-effective access to the enhanced annuity market.