Nuts and bolts...

clock

Anthony Burpitt offers a tour through two ‘real world' techniques that are used by insurers to reduce ‘headline' premiums.

The first technique known as ‘preferred lives’ or ‘cherry picking’ is probably the most discussed in the industry. It refers to when an insurer places their lowest premium in an industry portal price comparison table. As the applicant goes through the sales process, ‘loadings’ are often added to reflect their current state of health, which increases the original low premium quoted for all but the most healthy of applicants. Assuming that only 80% of an advisers protection applicants get the insurers’ cheapest ‘headline rate’, and that the 20% of applicants excluded are 25% more likely to...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Protection

Aviva in high value protection proposition launch

Aviva in high value protection proposition launch

Rising demand for IHT planning

Cameron Roberts
clock 25 August 2026 • 2 min read
Advisers are changing their views on joint life cover

Advisers are changing their views on joint life cover

What represents true value for the client?

Alan Lakey
clock 11 August 2026 • 3 min read
Let's talk 'triple shock': Why the protection gap starts with three dangerous assumptions

Let's talk 'triple shock': Why the protection gap starts with three dangerous assumptions

Three assumptions keeping the protection gap alive

Graham Singleton
clock 28 July 2026 • 5 min read