Aviva has changed its underwriting requirements with the aim of making it easier for advisers to place business and provide clients with cover more quickly.
The provider has increased the threshold at which it sends a client for a doctor examination, replacing these with nurse examinations at lower sum assured values.
According to Aviva, almost 75 per cent of doctor examination requests will be replaced to provide flexibility for clients. It added that nurse screenings can be carried out anywhere, including a client’s home or workplace, rather than having to arrange an appointment at a surgery.
Additionally, the provider has changed the “vast majority” of routine exercise electrocardiograms (ECGs) to a blood test. The test is also being added to its requirements for some customers aged 50 and over, who would already be required to give a blood sample.
Aviva described the blood test as “quicker and more convenient” for clients, who will not need to attend a surgery where exercise ECG equipment is available.
It has also changed its non-medical limits at younger ages for life cover and critical illness cover, increasing the threshold at which it requests medical evidence.
Excluding its ‘simple life insurance’ cover, the changes to its protection products are effective from yesterday (December 6).
Robert Morrison, global chief underwriter, health and protection at Aviva, said: “These changes show Aviva’s commitment to continue to make it easier for advisers to get their clients’ cover on risk with minimal fuss.”
But Adam Higgs, head of research at Protection Guru, said: “Whilst we applaud any insurer that increases their limits, ultimately it is often not younger clients where non-medical limits are a factor.
“Increasing the limits for this age group in my opinion, misses out the age ranges that are most likely to breach the limits and cause the most problems for advisers.”
It comes as some protection advisers have reported delays in obtaining GP reports during the underwriting process.
chloe.cheung@ft.com
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