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Clearer health and life insurance

Date: Wed, 08 Feb 2006

A new series of initiatives should help to make the health and life insurance sector more accessible.

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) is hoping that a number of new measures will simplify the process of buying and selling a range of insurance products such as critical illness, income protection and life insurance cover.

The new statement of best practice aims to ensure that consumers have access to clear application forms and will not be required to answer so-called memory test questions such as "have you been to a doctor in the last five years?". Providers will also have to include visible warnings about failures to disclose any previous medical conditions.

Richard Walsh, the ABI’s head of health insurance, said: "Today’s announcements will help customers better understand health and protection insurance, and ensure that in the future there are fewer declined claims."

He added: "Our guidance on application forms will help companies make them easier to understand. This should ensure that all relevant information is given by customers applying for life or protection insurance, reducing the likelihood that claims are declined."


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