Friends promises improved income protection processing

Advisers can now access straight-through processing of income protection products via the Friends Provident eSelect underwriting system.

The eSelect system had previously been available for interactive underwriting of term assurance, critical illness and waiver premium, for both ordinary rates and special terms. Friends Provident said it extended the system to cover income protection to offer advisers the benefit of ease of use and to enhance their service to clients, particularly regarding protection products.

Ian McKenna, director of the Financial Technology Research Centre, an e-commerce consultancy firm that rated eSelect triple-E, said: "With advisers increasingly looking to provide a range of protection products to consumers extending eSelect to include income protection is very welcome. Friends Provident has become synonymous with quality technology offerings for advisers. Combined with their recent tracking launches these developments represent a significant step forward in their services to advisers."

Mark Jones, head of protection marketing at Friends Provident, said: "We are confident that this latest enhancement to our innovative eSelect platform will make life easier for advisers. We are not only expanding the range of protection products available online, but by adding income protection advisers can take advantage of a range of benefits that both the system and our products offer, including straight-through processing."

Newly added products to eSelect also include pension contribution protection benefit and householder's benefit. To access eSelect, visit www.friendsprovident.com/adviser.