Protection Watch: Kevin Carr's verdicts on recent developments

    The big payback Zurich paid more than £224.6m in protection claims last year - an increase of 6% from £212.5m in 2015. Over 95% of claims were paid out during the period, benefitting more than 2,600 customers and their families with critical illness, income protection and life insurance policies. More than 90% of critical illness claims were paid in 2016 to 789 customers amounting to £63.2m. The highest claim over the period was £600,000 with the average being £80.900. Keep up the good work. Verdict: Promising lead Three feet high and rising Many firms in the prote...