Aegon will partner with UnderwriteMe to upgrade its protection offering.
The deal will see Aegon work with IT service provider Atos to upgrade its extranet service with UnderwriteMe’s digital technology.
Aegon will then join the UnderwriteMe comparison service later this year.
Stephen Crosbie, protection director at Aegon, said: “When we looked at improving our digital capability and enhancing the point of sale service we give to intermediaries and customers, UnderwriteMe stood out as the clear choice.
“The technology they have built is truly superb and we are looking forward to using this to support our clients, as well as joining the UnderwriteMe comparison service, giving those selling and buying our cover a true, 21st century, ‘buy now’ experience.”
The UnderwriteMe comparison service provides an alternative to submitting multiple applications.
It offers an end-to-end application journey, which requires the adviser to answer a full set of medical questions agreed between all providers and insurers featured on UnderwriteMe.
This allows UnderwriteMe to return either a guaranteed underwritten premium based on the answers given or an indicative cost and an instruction for what further medical evidence is required.
Phil Jeynes, head of sales and marketing for UnderwriteMe, said: “2017 is set to be a huge year for UnderwriteMe.
“Having established our Underwriting Rules Engine as the market leader and proven our comparison service to be a success in both intermediary and direct to consumer environments, we are excited to welcome more insurers onto the platform, the first of which being Aegon; a hugely respected provider, with a fantastic reputation and first class product range.”
The comparison service was launched in August 2015 and features providers such as Royal London, LV, The Exeter and Canada Life.
LifeSearch, Cavendish Online, Assured Futures and Future Proof use the direct-to-consumer service.
damian.fantato@ft.com
