Aegon CI claim approvals dip below 90%

Aegon paid a marginally lower percentage of critical illness (CI) claims in 2009, but declines due to non-disclosure fell from a half to a third.

The CI figures show a 3% decline in claims paid to 88% this year, from 91% in 2008. Meanwhile, 92% of life claims were met last year , up from 91% in 2008.

Of the 12% in CI claims declined, one-third (4%) were due to non disclosure and two-thirds (8%) were due to the definition not being met.

However, the provider says the value of claims paid has increased significantly, with CI rising 32% to £25m (£19m in 2008), and life by 38.5% to £55.5m (£45m).

Matt Rann, group head of underwriting and claims, says: "In the past, the split in declined claims between non disclosure and definitions not being met was broadly 50/50.

"The reduction in instances of non disclosure to one third is evidence that people are now providing fuller and more accurate information at application stage and it also reflects the positive changes to claims brought in by the ABI in 2008."