"We hope to generate more useful bulletins to make it easy to write protection, working with our members and insurers."
- Neil McCarthy, Chair of the PDG
After learning that some advisers have seen claims turned down due to bereavement and work-related stress, the Protection Distributors Group (PDG) has produced its guide to Income Protection (IP) claims for stress - any firm can access this guide.
Furthermore, the PDG is calling on insurers to consider how they can help. Suggestions include Business Development Managers (BDMs) and frontline staff using the same messaging when talking about their products to advisers, reviewing terms & conditions and policy summaries to improve clarity, and considering the language used in application forms and exclusions.
“Our objective is to educate advisers on some of the nuances of IP claims and mental health, enabling them to prepare clients for what is most likely to result in a successful claim. However, adviser education is just one piece of the jigsaw. We believe insurers also have a critical role to play in improving outcomes for customers,” explained Alan Knowles, Board Member at the PDG.
Neil McCarthy, Chair of the PDG, added: “This new guide delivers a helpful summary to advisers helping them understand the potential issues surrounding IP claims relating to stress and mental health. Over the last few years, the PDG members have published several guides covering the following topics: improving customer retention, early warning & lapse processes, and signposting protection.”
