Protection

Half of insurers are now offering some form of HIV Life Assurance, up from 35% last year, according to medical financial advisers Unusual Risks.

Aviva has said 384 jobs in its Bristol office are at risk due to a simplification of its life business.

A marked change in consumer awareness is causing consumers to take an "austere" self-assessment of protection needs, Swiss Re has said.

The Permanent Health Company (PHC) has sought to reassure advisers' and quell concerns that its new five year underwriting deal with Axa PPP will eventually result in a takeover.

Westfield Health has reported sales growth of 29% increasing market share to 13.5%, in its annual results for 2010/11.

IFAs have claimed providers of individual protection products consistently fail to meet their expectations in dealing with existing business, Defaqto said.

Pruprotect has introduced a premium saver option for its protection products that could see customers earning more than their first year's premiums back over five years.

Axa PPP has taken over all underwriting of Permanent Health Company's private medical insurance (PMI) and dental products.

The NHS has been banned from attempting to save money by enforcing minimum waiting times for patients following referrals.

The government has been ordered to publish a report it attempted to keep secret that details the risks of its NHS reforms.