Our approach to underwriting

• Although we actively manage the underwriting process, we recognise that some delays may be outside the employee's control so, in the majority of cases, we offer 90-day temporary cover to allow for the underwriting process to be completed.

• Since one of our key goals is to minimise employee inconvenience, we have developed a detailed health and activities form which is designed to reduce the need for further requests for information and subsequent medical evidence.
• To make the disclosure process as easy and convenient as possible, we offer the employee the option of providing personal health and activities information over the phone with the assistance of a qualified nurse.

Telephone data collection means we are less likely to need to ask for additional information at a later date. Should a full medical examination prove necessary, we will consider using any one of the following, depending on the employee's preference:

• Their own GP.
• A surgery-based examination carried out by an independent examiner appointed by us.
• A home or work place visit by a qualified nurse.
• A company or private health care medical examination if undertaken during the previous six months.

• We offer automatic increases in cover once an employee has been fully underwritten.
• We offer forward underwriting for a wide range of non-standard risks.
• For schemes up to 50 lives, no further enquiry is made for five years from the underwriting date unless the amount of total benefit increases by more than 15% per annum compound.
• Absolute maxima of £3,000,000 for Group Life and
  £300,000 per annum for Group Income Protection.

So that we can provide an accurate and timely quotation we have a template to help streamline the process. The broad experience of our quotations teams and our underwriting principles help ensure we pursue a fair, realistic and competitive approach to pricing.