"Partnering with iPipeline on Advanced Underwriting allowed us to help shape a tool that directly tackles one of the biggest pain points in the protection journey."
- Paul Shearman, mortgage & protection proposition director at The Openwork Partnership
Collaborating with The Openwork Partnership, 'Advanced Underwriting' was built in direct response to adviser feedback. iPipeline believes this feature will fundamentally change how quotes translate into final terms across protection products and save significant time for advisers.
“The current quote-to-application journey isn’t predictable or as smooth as it could be, and it’s often opaque, interrupted, and delayed. Initial quotes that can’t always be trusted create frustration, uncertainty, and lost opportunities,” explained Rachel Edwards, SVP & UK managing director at iPipeline.
She said: “Advanced Underwriting has been developed to change that, offering a much more seamless process that works better for everyone concerned. By collaborating closely with The Openwork Partnership, we have ensured it addresses adviser issues and provides them with a user-friendly enhancement that benefits both them and their customers.”
Advanced Underwriting captures upfront information to assess the top 20 most common medical disclosures, which typically account for up to 80% of all medical loadings and changes in terms, post-application. This will deliver more precise premium and indicative underwriting decisions, powered by its SSG Digital platform technology.
The Exeter, Vitality, and Zurich Insurance will support Advanced Underwriting from launch, and a further three providers will be added in the coming months.
It will be available exclusively to The Openwork Partnership from the 17th June, with a full market release before the end of 2025.
“Partnering with iPipeline on Advanced Underwriting allowed us to help shape a tool that directly tackles one of the biggest pain points in the protection journey. Improving quote accuracy, reliability, and transparency is a significant step forward in helping customers get the cover they need, faster and with greater confidence,” said Paul Shearman, mortgage & protection proposition director at The Openwork Partnership.
Feedback from advisers who’ve watched a demonstration of Advanced Underwriting was “unanimously positive […] It will drive greater efficiency and, most importantly, improve customer outcomes. I’d encourage the other major providers to get aboard, before they are left behind.”
Scott Taylor Barr, principal adviser at Barnsdale Financial Management (Appointed Representative of The Openwork Partnership), added: “Advanced Underwriting makes SolutionBuilder a one-stop resource that will streamline options for me when researching the most common protection disclosures.
“It allows me to better advise my customers on their prospective premiums and terms, providing illustrations that reflect a more accurate costing. This will ultimately reduce the chance of customers changing their mind later down the line when final terms are issued.”
