Protection sales in 2017 will get a boost from paperless insurance reporting technology for doctors, according to Aviva.
Paul Brencher, managing director of individual protection at the insurer, told FTAdviser the digital tool – known as iGPR – is the most likely candidate for the smart deployment of technology in the sector.
iGPR removes the need for doctors’ practices to send printouts and copies of paper notes in response to requests made by insurers and other permitted third-parties, such as advisers.
They save doctors hours of time and cost when producing medical reports.
Aviva has been using this system in 2016, and Mr Brencher said it has seen widespread benefits to all of those involved in the process of obtaining a protection policy.
“As such Aviva, along with others in the industry who are now starting to adopt the tech, will be keenly encouraging the more wide-spread use of this digital system during 2017,” Mr Brencher said.
“The iGPR allows GPs to more swiftly and accurately return the appropriate medical details to insurers, thus reducing waiting times for customers, case-chasing for advisers and form-filling time for GPs, whilst providing sensitive personal data in an infinitely more secure format.”
Mr Brencher said 2017 also promises the biggest shake-up of state bereavement benefits for nearly two decades.
In April the three existing bereavement benefits are due to be replaced with one simplified bereavement support payment.
While this change may make eligibility more straightforward and claiming easier, it is also due to remove a significant element of longer-term support for those with dependent children.
“Aviva will help advisers and customers to understand these changes, to ensure that customers are able to make informed decisions about their protection needs,” Mr Brencher said.
Aviva will also be engaging with the government on the Department for Work & Pensions ‘Improving Lives’ green paper, both directly and through the Association of British Insurers and the Income Protection Task Force, on how the company can work better with the state to help individuals and their families manage the impact of ill health.
Mr Brencher said: “We would encourage advisers to engage with this paper and contribute their views to the consultation on how the advisory profession can be part of the solution to improve the lives of those who suffer ill-health.”
laura.miller@ft.com
