A landmark claim for Guardian
Guardian has achieved a significant milestone in the protection industry, successfully processing its inaugural critical illness claim through its groundbreaking cover upgrade promise. This achievement has been widely acknowledged and warmly received.
The cover upgrade feature reflects Guardian’s unwavering commitment to meticulously reviewing claims against both the initially chosen critical illness definitions by customers and the revised definitions applicable to new customers. Guardian is prepared to provide compensation if the claim aligns with either set of definitions.
Introduced upon its launch in 2018, the cover upgrade concept stands as a foundational element of Guardian’s customer-centric strategy. It epitomizes their dedication to extending equitable treatment to existing customers, mirroring the high standards offered to new clientele. Undoubtedly, the cover upgrade feature significantly contributes to cultivating fairness and fostering trust within the protection industry.
Of personal significance, the claim centres around Parkinson’s disease, a condition that hits close to home for me as my mother struggles with this debilitating ailment.
In this specific claim instance, the policy was established in July 2019 under Guardian’s Parkinson’s disease definition, which stipulated:
“A definite diagnosis by a UK Consultant Neurologist of idiopathic Parkinson’s disease. There must be permanent clinical impairment of motor function with associated tremor and rigidity of movement.”
Subsequently, Guardian updated its Parkinson’s disease definition in October 2019 and proactively informed all existing customers about this enhancement, offered without any additional charge. The prevailing definition for Parkinson’s disease for customers now reads:
“A definite diagnosis by a UK Consultant Neurologist. There must be permanent clinical impairment of motor function. This impairment should include either an associated tremor or muscle rigidity”
In this specific claim scenario, the customer had received a confirmed Parkinson’s disease diagnosis from a UK Consultant, displaying an associated tremor. Notably, muscle rigidity had not yet manifested. Although the original contract definition from July 2019 would not have been met, the cover upgrade feature enabled Guardian to assess the claim based on the presently applicable critical illness definition for Parkinson’s disease. This meticulous evaluation led to the endorsement and disbursement of the claim.
This forward stride is an applaud-worthy move, reflecting Guardian’s innovation and dedication to progress within the industry.
Join us on our upcoming Forum
Our next Protection Forum is on Tuesday 5th September and will focus on ‘Why is the protection industry lagging behind others when it comes to tech?’
Integrating tech into the protection advice process – protection in many ways lags behind other areas of advice when it comes to the use of tech to help facilitate a more streamlined and effective advice process. How can tools such as cash flow modelling be adopted in the protection space and what other areas of innovation are needed? Register for your place here.
MORTGAGE ADVISERS, IT IS YOUR CHANCE TO HAVE YOUR SAY
AMI Protection Viewpoint is back for a fourth consecutive year and the Association of Mortgage Intermediaries (AMI) is calling on mortgage advisers to complete a short survey.
Why should you get involved?
- It takes less than five minutes to complete. You don’t have to be an AMI member.
- Your knowledge is essential to give AMI and the wider market a deeper understanding of how protection is viewed and sold.
- It will help AMI shape its strategic plans on protection over the next 12 months.
AMI will share the findings alongside sponsors L&G and Royal London in a launch event at 9am on 8 November. To find out more about Viewpoint, please click here.
