application questions updated: current turnaround (16.04.20) · testing. an approved self-testing...

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Accurate at 16.04.2020

For the latest information, you can visit the government’s official website: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public

Coronavirus and LifeQuote of 13 Apr-20

Insurer Update

https://www.aegon.co.uk/coronavirus.html

Application questions updated: Yes

Opening Hours: Phone lines are currently closed except for claims, looking to open from 22.04.20.

Current Turnaround (16.04.20): 6 working days

GP Reports: So as not to put even more strain on GP resources, we’ve decided to temporarily stop requesting medical information from GPs at this time. As we still require medical information for referred applications, we’re now postponing decisions for all applications requiring medical evidence. (27.03.20)

Medical Examinations (Medical Screening Solutions): All appointments have been cancelled.

Recommending to check the non-medical limits to avoid underwriting complications and then revisit the client’s needs once the crisis is over and increase if necessary. This can be done for new applications and those already submitted.

Immediate Cover for Business Protection & Relevant Life applications have been removed.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public

https://www.aegon.co.uk/coronavirus.html

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https://www.aiglife.co.uk/advisers/products/individual-protection/coronavirus-individual-qa/

Application questions updated: No

Opening Hours: 09:00-18:00 Mon-Thu, 09:00-17:30 Fri


GP Reports: We are still requesting and receiving GP information at present. It is slowing down and expected to slow down further. We will refer all cases where GP evidence is needed to underwriting in order to apply an individual consideration approach. The underwriters will look for alternative evidence where possible, including customer supplied evidence and tele interviews. For people with medical conditions that mean they are high risk of COVID-19 complications we would need to postpone the application.

Medical Examinations (Medical Screening Solutions and Square Health): From 13th April AIG and Medical Screening Solutions will be offering virtual medical examinations. This is currently only available for Life Only applications and is most beneficial for customers aged under 50 with no existing cardiovascular risk factors. Sum assured limits will also apply.

A virtual medical examination is likely to involve answering medical questions with a nurse over a video call, taking height and weight, and a pinprick sample of blood which will be sent to the lab for testing. An approved self-testing kit will be supplied to customers in advance of the virtual examination which will include instructions on how it can be used and how samples can be dispatched to a lab. Blood pressure checks can only be down with customers who have their own blood pressure machine.

Where alternative evidence is not available, for those sums assureds that would normally require routine medical evidence, we could look to underwrite cover at a reduced level. The level of cover may then be increased at a later date when medical evidence can be obtained.

Due to the rapidly changing environment we have decided to postpone all applications for:

UK nationals living abroad on a short, medium or long-term basis or live outside the UK permanently

Foreign nationals living abroad


https://www.aiglife.co.uk/advisers/products/individual-protection/coronavirus-individual-qa/

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http://www.aviva-for-advisers.co.uk/adviser/site/public/news/detail/coronavirus-your-individual-protection-questions-answered


Are you currently experiencing symptoms of a cough, a high temperature or fever, breathing difficulties or any other symptoms of Coronavirus (COVID-19); or

Have you tested positive for Coronavirus (COVID-19); or

Are you self-isolating due to symptoms of Coronavirus (COVID-19); or

Have you been advised to self-isolate for any other reason, or had direct contact with someone who’s been confirmed or suspected to have Coronavirus?

Opening Hours: Phone lines are currently closed.

Current Turnaround (16.04.20): 48 hours for new applications, 7 working days for evidence

GP Reports: New applications where GP Reports are required are now being postponed until the strain on the NHS has been resolved. For existing applications where a GP Report has been issued Aviva will no longer chase these but will assess the information if it is returned. No new GP Report will be requested. (26.03.20)

Medical Examinations (Medicals Direct Group): All appointments have been suspended.

Anyone aged 70 or over will automatically be referred for manual underwriting, no automatic decisions will be made. (20.03.20)

Reduced the maximum online loading for clients with underlying medical conditions resulting in referrals to the underwriting team.




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https://advisers.britishfriendly.com/


Opening Hours: 10:00 – 16:00


GP Reports: No available information.

Medical Examinations (Medicals Direct Group): All appointments suspended.

New applications submitted after 14.03.2020 will include an exclusion for coronavirus.

Day 1 and 1 week deferred periods removed with effect from 5pm on 30.03.2020 for any new applications.


https://advisers.britishfriendly.com/

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https://content.guardian1821.co.uk/literature/COVID-19.pdf

https://content.guardian1821.co.uk/literature/COVID-19-FAQs.pdf


In the last month have you,

Tested positive for Coronavirus illness (Covid-19)?

Been personally advised to self-isolate by a medical professional or the NHS 111 but have not been diagnosed with Coronavirus illness (Covid-19)?

Had, or do you currently have a new, continuous cough and/or high temperature?

Had direct contact with someone who's been confirmed or suspected to have Coronavirus illness (Covid-19)?

If the client answers yes to any of the new questions their application will be postponed for 3 months. They can then reapply when they can answer no to all the Covid-19 questions.

Opening Hours: Standard hours


GP Reports: Still currently being requested

Medical Examinations (Medical Screening Solutions): Guardian and Medical Screening Solutions are piloting a remote screening service. This consists of a remote digital video assessment in place of face to face nurse screening examinations; and a 'customer kit pack' for examinees containing a disposable tape measure (for waist/hip measurements), along with home test, self-collect, finger-prick blood-testing kit. This is available from 9th April and will focus on customers suitable for remote screening.

Where a remote medical examination is not possible Guardian will continue to look for an alternative form of evidence or if this is not possible postpone the application.

Currently Guardian will not issue any policies where the sum assured is above the non-medical limits. From 01.04.2020 the non-medical limits have been increased by 10% for anyone aged under 60. This is for new and pipeline applications.

Pipeline applications that did not answer the Covid-19 questions above will be requested to answer

these.


https://content.guardian1821.co.uk/literature/COVID-19.pdf

https://content.guardian1821.co.uk/literature/COVID-19-FAQs.pdf

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https://www.holloway.co.uk/coronavirus




GP Reports: Information unknown

Medical Examinations: Information unknown

New applications submitted after 5pm on 13.03.2020 with a 1 week deferred period will have an exclusion applied.

New applications submitted after 17.03.2020 will include an exclusion for coronavirus on policies with 1, 4 or 8 week deferred periods.

Premium Payment Holidays: Holloway have introduced a 3 month premium holiday option.

Between 15 April to 15 July, Members can request a 3 month premium holiday, as long as they’ve been paying for their cover for at least three months. During their premium holiday they won’t be able to make a claim.

Once their 3 month premium holiday has finished we’ll get in touch with the Member and let them know that we’re going to start collecting their monthly payments again.

The monthly payments and their income protection cover will re-start without the Member having to answer any health questions.


https://www.holloway.co.uk/coronavirus

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https://www.legalandgeneral.com/adviser/files/protection/_resources/documents/coronavirus-covid-19-update-for-intermediaries-0320.pdf


In the last 30 days have you:

Had a new or unexplained continuous cough, fever or high temperature? Y/N

Tested positive for, or been diagnosed with coronavirus/COVID19? Y/N

In the last 14 days have you:

Been self-isolating or been advised you should? Y/N

Had direct contact with someone who has been diagnosed with, or suspected of having coronavirus? Y/N

If the client answers yes to the following they would need to re-apply:

Has been diagnosed with Covid-19 – would need to re-apply 90 days after the symptoms stop.

Has or is experiencing symptoms – would need to re-apply 30 days after the symptoms stop.

Has been in contact with someone who has been diagnosed or has symptoms of Covid-19 – would need to re-apply 14 days the last contact and they have been symptom free for 30 days.

Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00 - 17:00, Sat closed



Medical Examinations (Medicals Direct Group): All appointments currently suspended.

No longer offering 2 week deferred period on Income Protection applications. (19.03.2020)

No longer offering Immediate Cover. (20.03.2020)




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https://www.lv.com/adviser/coronavirus-update/protection


Have any of the following applied to you in the last month?

I've tested positive for Coronavirus (Covid 19)

I've been advised to self-isolate or I'm currently self-isolating

I've had symptoms suggestive of Coronavirus (Covid 19). For example, any of the following - a new continuous cough, high temperature and/or difficulty breathing

Opening Hours: 09:00 – 16:30


GP Reports: We recognise the demands on GPs and other medical professionals, and support their efforts, particularly as many are increasingly being prioritised towards supporting the front line and at risk themselves. We’re building on and extending our current practices to get customers covered without delay and help reduce the burden on the NHS. The minority of cases where Fastway is unable to offer an immediate decision will now be reviewed individually by our experienced underwriters. They’ll aim to make a decision through their judgment, speaking directly with the client or securing evidence from them - without resorting to screenings or reports.

We’re adopting the same principles for all existing pipeline business. We’re working through these cases as fast as we can, and will be in contact with advisers and their clients to: advise of the outcome, suggest reducing cover to within the new medical limits, or seek more information.

Medical Examinations (Square Health): For term business LV= are trialling virtual screenings with Square Health. This includes video calls, blood pressure checks (if the client has their own machine) and finger-prick blood tests.

No longer offering Back to Day 1 or 1 week deferred periods for Personal Sick Pay applications. (27.03.2020). They have also stopped paying ‘self-isolation’ claims on their PSP policies.

From 14.04.20 LV= have increased their non-medical limits for Income Protection, PSP and Life & Critical Illness applications by 10%. Limits for Life only have been unchanged.


https://www.lv.com/adviser/coronavirus-update/protection

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https://adviser.royallondon.com/protection/campaigns/coronavirus-statement/


Regardless of anything you have already told us about; have any of the following applied to you in the last month? (Please select all that apply)

I've had a new continuous cough and or a high temperature.

I've been advised to self-isolate

I've tested positive for Coronavirus

I've had direct contact with someone who's been confirmed or suspected to have Coronavirus

None of the above

If they’re working from home or are following general advice to avoid social interactions, they should not consider themselves as self-isolating.


Current Turnaround (09.04.20): 1 day for new applications, 5-6 days for evidence

GP Reports: Still being issued however Royal London are no longer chasing outstanding reports in order to reduce the impact on the NHS.

Medical Examinations (Medical Screening Solutions and Square Health): All appointments currently suspended.


https://adviser.royallondon.com/protection/campaigns/coronavirus-statement/

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Opening Hours: Some offices are currently closed causing some phone lines to be unavailable.

Current Turnaround (06.04.20): new applications 3-4 days, pipeline 4-5 days


Medical Examinations (Medicals Direct Group): All appointments currently suspended.


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https://www.the-exeter.com/news/coronavirus-covid-19/



Current Turnaround (09.04.20): new applications 24 hours, 4 working days for evidence

GP Reports: Currently we are requesting medical reports from GP surgeries only when essential, as we are mindful that their priority is to support the national response to this pandemic.

Medical Examinations (Medical Screening Solutions): A number of new applications and claims require medical evidence. In order to observe social-distancing we will not be asking applicants to undergo health screenings. We are working with our partners to find alternative ways in which to underwrite such applications and what information can be used as a substitute.

Applications submitted after 12pm on 16.03.2020 will not include payments for self-isolation.

Exclusion applied (for the first 12 months) for Day 1 or 1 week deferred period policies. This applies to new applications submitted after 18.03.2020 and previously submitted applications that were not underwritten before 18.03.2020.


https://www.the-exeter.com/news/coronavirus-covid-19/

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https://adviser.vitality.co.uk/coronavirus-update/





Medical Examinations (Speed Health): Applications requiring a medical examination will either be postponed or a GP Report will be issued.

Applicants ages 65 or over will automatically be referred to underwriting.

Income Protection applications with deferred periods less than 13 weeks will no longer be accepted from 26.03.2020.

The full earnings guarantee will be removed for all new Income Protection applications after 27.03.2020.

Premium Payment Holidays: To help at this time, clients who may be experiencing financial difficulties now have the opportunity to reduce the premiums they pay each month, with a proportional reduction in cover. This will assist those in financial need to afford cover in the time that they need it most. Should this be appropriate for your clients, they are able to reduce their premiums by 25%, 50% or 75% and their cover will reduce by the same percentage. This would be effective from their next premium collection date. We are recommending that any clients who contact us directly should refer to their adviser, to ensure that the cover still meets their individual needs as we are unable to give advice. The reduction in premium will be effective for three months following which we will revert to their previous premium and cover amounts without the need for further underwriting. There will also be no commission impact to you where clients utilise this facility.


https://adviser.vitality.co.uk/coronavirus-update/

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https://www.zurich.co.uk/insurance/coronavirus/life-and-critical-illness-insurance-customers


As a result of COVID-19 we have amended some of our health and travel questions for the Interactive submission route. These include:

Changes to our current symptoms questions to more explicitly capture symptoms that are associated with COVID-19 (fever and high temperature).

An update to our future travel question to highlight anyone who intends to travel, against the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) guidance.


Current Turnaround (16.04.20): new applications 4 days, pipeline 10 days


Medical Examinations (Medicals Direct Group, Medical Screening Solutions, Square Health): All appointments currently suspended.

If someone discloses that they have, or have had, Covid-19, we will be postponing offering terms, typically for 1 month after recovery for Life cover and 3 months for Critical Illness or Income Protection. However, these cases will all be referred to an underwriter and we will use the latest guidance to apply the appropriate postponement period.

In these circumstances, where you have been advised to self-isolate due to experiencing symptoms yourself, your application will be postponed. Typically for 1 month after a full recovery for Life cover, or for 3 months after a full recovery for Critical Illness.

If you are applying for Life cover with or without Critical Illness cover and are self-isolating due to someone else in your household experiencing symptoms, your application will be postponed for 1 month after your self-isolation has been completed.

Where you have been advised to self-isolate due to experiencing symptoms yourself, any application for Income Protection, Waiver of Premium or Total & Permanent Disability will be postponed for 3 months from after you have made a full recovery. If you are self-isolating due to someone else in your household experiencing symptoms, your application will be postponed for 1 month after your self-isolation has been completed.


https://www.zurich.co.uk/insurance/coronavirus/life-and-critical-illness-insurance-customers

application questions updated: current turnaround (16.04.20) · testing. an approved self-testing...

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