Last week on Protection Guru we covered everything from how our independent medical panel scores Critical Illness definitions, to the growing role of new weight-loss drugs, to smarter use of claims statistics. We also looked at the impact of family history on underwriting, the support insurers provide at the point of claim, and how to make light work of Income Protection comparisons. Across all of these, the common thread is simple, understanding the detail matters if you want to deliver better client outcomes and meet Consumer Duty standards.
On Tuesday, we shared How our independent medical panel benchmark Critical Illness wordings – Part one. This first part of a two-part series explains how our doctors score each definition purely on contractual wording. A zero score can mean a condition isn’t covered at all, or that the definition is so restrictive it’s almost impossible to meet in real life. At the other end of the scale, a score of 100 is given where diagnosis alone guarantees payment, or where any stipulated evidence is always obtained in practice. The example contrasting two multiple sclerosis definitions shows how a single extra requirement can slightly reduce the likelihood of a claim. For advisers, this underlines why headline condition counts don’t tell the full story.
We also published The Weight-Loss Revolution: How Wegovy and Mounjaro Are Reshaping Obesity Treatment, looking at the NHS rules, private market access and the lifestyle changes needed alongside these drugs. Wegovy and Mounjaro can produce substantial weight loss and improve metabolic health, but stopping treatment often means regaining much of the weight. With the government piloting wider access, advisers need to be ready for client questions and understand where non-prescribed use could impact disclosure. We’ll be exploring the implications for the protection industry in part two this week.
On Wednesday, Matthew Chapman showed us How to use claims statistics in a strategic way and why dropping “98% of claims paid” into a conversation can backfire. Asking clients what they think the payout rate is, first gives you permission to correct misconceptions, explain why claims fail, and link that directly to the value of honest disclosure. This shifts claims stats from trivia to a powerful advice tool and supports Consumer Duty by improving client understanding.
Thursday saw Inherited Risk: The role of family history in protection underwriting, explaining how underwriters assess risks such as cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, neurological conditions and genetic disorders like Huntington’s disease. The age of onset and whether the relative is first-degree make a big difference. Advisers need to help clients understand why these questions are asked and ensure disclosures are accurate to avoid future claim disputes.
We also compared Who helps claimants administer their loved one’s estate?, looking at the support offered by Aviva, Guardian, Royal London and Scottish Widows. From free guides to discounted online tools, telephone support and full solicitor-led administration, the range varies widely. Aviva’s Digicare+ app integration and Royal London’s partnership with mylawyer.co.uk stand out for breadth, but all four deserve credit for addressing a need most insurers ignore.
We finished the week with Making light work of Income Protection comparisons. Income Protection is often a cornerstone of good advice, but comparing features like benefit guarantees, NHS sick pay matching and deferred periods can be complex. Protection Guru Pro lets advisers compare quality, cost and value in under an hour. With our free webinar programme, you can learn how to integrate this into your process and demonstrate clear, Consumer Duty-compliant recommendations.
Understanding the fine print, asking the right questions and knowing where added value can make a difference, are all key to delivering advice that works in practice, not just in theory. Next week’s content will continue to focus on practical ways to help you achieve that.
Wishing you all a wonderful week ahead!
