Frequently asked questions

How do I register to use the Zurich Access Portal?

Go to www.zurich.co.uk/corporate-risk/zurich-access-portal which gives you full details of the Portal and how to register.

What if I forget my password?

Click on the Forgotten password link on the login screen and enter your email address you registered with. You will then receive an email with instructions to reset your password.

What should I do if I have issues signing in?

If you consistently see ‘Invalid email address or password’ and you are confident that you have entered the correct email address and password, then it is likely that your account was previously locked by failed attempts. If this is the case, then you will need to contact us at zapsupport@uk.zurich.com and someone will unlock your account to allow you to reset your password.

Do I need an agency number?

Yes, if you don’t have a relationship with us already, you’ll need to apply for an agency number.

Can charities, limited liability partnerships or branches of overseas companies get quotes?

No. The principal employer and any participating employers must be registered UK limited companies with a Companies House registration number.

What occupations are allowed in the Portal?

Most. However, if the following duties/occupations are included within the membership you will need to request a quote outside of the portal:

  • Travel for work to destinations against Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office advice.
  • Work offshore.
  • Nuclear power generation or services that support this industry.
  • Manufacture, process, or storage of explosives.
  • Manufacture of hazardous chemicals and/or toxic substances.
  • Underground mining, surface mining, quarrying or dam construction.
  • Military personnel or armed security personnel.
  • Police officers, fire fighters, coast guards or prison guards.
  • Pilots (fixed or rotary wing).
  • Professional sportspersons.
  • Medical doctors, registered nurses, paramedics, or ambulance personnel.
  • Barristers and non-executive directors.

What size policies can I get a quote for?

You can quote for policies between 3 and 250 lives.

Minimum of 10 lives for Excepted Group Life Trust Solution policies.

What is the maximum number of previous claims allowed?

Two claims within the last 5 years.

What are the absentee requirements?

To apply for cover the scheme must not contain:

  • Eligible employees who have been absent from work due to illness or injury for more than 90 days at the policy start date where a policy is covering 20 lives and over.
  • Eligible employees who have been absent from work due to illness or injury for more than 30 days at the policy start date where a policy is covering under 20 lives.

Is there a limit on the number of categories?

Maximum of 4 categories can be created.

Excepted and Excepted Group Life Trust Solution policies limited to one category in view of HMRC rules.

Can I get a quote with a mixture of registered and excepted benefits?

No. One quote can only be converted to one policy.

What methods of payment are available in the Portal?

Direct Debit or Invoice.

Can I get a flex quote in the Portal?

No. Schemes that include flexible benefits including Spouse Partner Life Assurance (SPLA) need to be requested outside of the Portal.

What Group Income Protection benefits do you offer in the Portal?

  • Basic benefit from 40% to 80% of salary with any offset up to £10,000.
  • 13, 26 & 52 week Deferred Periods.
  • Escalation rates of 0%, 2.5%, 3% & 5% with RPI options.
  • Benefit payment terms to Terminating Age and 2, 3, 4 & 5 year limited payment options.

We do not offer GIP schemes with a lump sum (capital option) in the Portal.

What Group Life benefits do you offer in the Portal?

  • Lump Sum benefit of 1 to 6 times Policy Salary.
  • Fixed benefit’s up to £600,000.

Can redundancy cover be included for Group Life schemes?

Yes, you can request 6 months cover with no change to the rate(s).

Can I get a Group Critical Illness quote via the Zurich Access Portal?

Yes, you can.

Can I get a quote where the scheme is closed to new employees?

The policy must have at least one category that is open to new employees.

The policy is already insured with Zurich, can I get a quote?

No. The policy must be new to Zurich.

Is there a minimum premium?

Yes, the minimum annual premium is £450.

What eligibility definitions are available?

Seven eligibility definitions are available:

  • All permanent employees which include FTC’s
  • All pensionable employees
  • All directors and managers
  • All directors
  • All managers
  • All other employees
  • All salaried partners.

Can I include a service requirement to the eligibility?

Yes, 3, 6 or 12 months.

What definitions of salary are available?

Four types of salary definitions are available:

  • Basic annual salary or wages, before any salary sacrifice.
  • Basic annual salary or wages, after any salary sacrifice.
  • Basic annual salary or wages only, plus the annual average of any other earnings from the employer over the preceding 3 years (or since joining that employer if this was within the preceding 3 years).
  • P60 earnings in previous tax year or annualised averaged earnings for members who joined within the same tax year.

What terminating ages can be covered?

Group Income Protection 65, 70, Dynamic State Pension age and State Pension age.

Group Life Assurance 65, 70, 75 and State Pension age.

Can I quote if the scheme has medically loaded members?

Group Life Assurance up to 250%. No permille loadings are allowed.

Group Income Protection up to 100%. No permille loadings are allowed.

Can I quote if the scheme includes members with a decline or postpone decision, had an exclusion applied or have been restricted due incomplete medical underwriting?

Where a member has been underwritten and has either been restricted, declined, postponed or had an exclusion applied you will not be able to obtain a quote through the Zurich Access Portal.

Do I need to use a data template?

Yes, you will need to use the data template which you can download on the quote journey.

Can I carry out re-quotes?

Yes, you can carry out requotes.

How long is the quote guaranteed for?

Quotes are guaranteed for 90 days. However, you can Refresh the quote and get a new variation if you need to discuss further with your client.

Can we complete the application form online?

Yes, you can complete the full application online for a Portal quote.

All Portal applications are submitted online and once we have carried out our standard business checks all necessary paperwork will be sent via DocuSign for the authorised signatories to add their eSignatures.

Can you provide a quote where there are zero-hour contractors or TUPE members?

No.

Where will I be able to access the policy documents?

These will be available to download in the Existing Policy area on the Portal once the policy is in force. Only policies accepted in the Portal can be viewed here.

Who do I contact if I have a query or need help?

Do I have to sign a new TOBA for the portal ?

Yes, if you have no relationship with us you will need to complete a new TOBA.

Why can’t I see my scheme in the portal?

It maybe because the scheme isn’t in force yet, the scheme has been cancelled or you’ve completed a paper application. You will only see schemes that were submitted online in the portal. For Retention records please refer to our privacy policy.

I need to make changes to the policy, what do I do?

For changes to the benefit design please email zcrquotes@uk.zurich.com

For general servicing changes please email zcrservicing@uk.zurich.com

Or you can contact your Account Manager if you have one.

Why have I received a DocuSign request after my client has signed the forms?

After the signatory or signatories sign the forms, you will receive a completed notification. This looks very similar to the original request you will have received, except there is a bold sentence at the top of the page, explaining that the forms have been signed. You can disregard the rest of the text below this, and no further action will be needed on the DocuSign forms.

What happens if the DocuSign forms are not completed within the 30 days?

If after receiving our reminders, any forms are not returned with 30 days the policy will be cancelled from commencement, and we will write to the policyholder confirming this. If the policy is still needed, you will have to obtain a new quote and reapply.

What are the rules about overseas travel on a Portal case?

The quote will not include or be for eligible employees that are travelling for work to destinations against Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office advice.

What is the minimum Automatic Acceptance Limit on the Portal for GL/GIP cases?

  • Group Life is £600,000
  • Group Income Protection £65,000

Can I complete a revision or rate review on the Portal?

Yes, this is available on the Portal.

When is the annual revision/rate review invitation issued?

Invitations are issued 90 days in advance of the revision date or rate guarantee expiry date.

What is the earliest date I can fully complete the revision/rate review?

21 days before the Policy’s Yearly Revision Date

Can I get an indicative rate review quote?

Yes, you will be given clear instructions to get the indicative quote 90 days in advance of the Rate Guarantee Expiry Date.

Can I change the commission on a rate review quote?

Yes, you can change the commission on the quote. Can I change the payment frequency on a rate review quote? Yes, you can change this on the quote.

Can I request Scheme history?

Yes, you can request this through the Existing Policies area on the Portal.

Is it possible to submit a claim for my customer in the Portal?

Yes, you can do this in the Existing Policies area on the Portal.

Can I request a Policy termination?

Yes, you can request this through the Existing Policies area on the Portal.

Can I update the regular customer contact?

Yes, you can this during the revision or rate review process.

Can I update the Policy admin contact?

Yes, you can do this within the Existing Policies area on the Portal.

Does the Portal cover employees who are resident or seconded overseas?

No, the Portal doesn’t cover overseas members for new business cases.

Do I need to send updated data in throughout the year?

You only need to supply data annually and we email you with the information we need nearer the time. See section 9. Information we need at the Yearly Revision Date of the Terms and Conditions for full details. You will need to let us know at the earliest opportunity about any Member who joins the scheme or has an increase that takes their benefit above the Automatic Acceptance Limit. This is especially important if they will be eligible for Temporary Cover. See sections 2.6 Underwriting and 2.7 Temporary cover of the Terms and Conditions for full details.

What is the tolerance on the Portal at revision stage?

A Unit Rate policy, unless indicated otherwise on the policy schedule, has a 25% tolerance until the Rate Guarantee End Date. An Individual Costing policy has an unlimited tolerance until the Rate Guarantee End date. See section 8.5. Will premiums change at any other time? of the Terms and Conditions for full details.

Can I manually enter eligibility or salary definitions?

Yes, under the ‘other’ option you have the ability to input what definitions you require.

What eligibility definitions are available?

Eight eligibility definitions are available which includes a free text option:

  • All permanent employees which include FTC’s
  • All pensionable employees
  • All directors and managers
  • All directors
  • All managers
  • All other employees
  • All salaried partners
  • Other - Free text option

What definitions of salary are available?

Five types of salary definitions are available which includes a free text option:

  • Basic annual salary or wages, before any salary sacrifice.
  • Basic annual salary or wages, after any salary sacrifice.
  • Basic annual salary or wages only, plus the annual average of any other earnings from the employer over the preceding 3 years (or since joining that employer if this was within the preceding 3 years).
  • P60 earnings in previous tax year or annualised averaged earnings for members who joined within the same tax year.
  • Other – Free text option