Unum widens choice on individual IP

Protection provider Unum is announcing changes to its individual income protection (IP) offering, increasing options.

The provider now offers access to its full range of deferred periods, including four, eight and 13 weeks, for all occupations it covers. It has also extended access to cover to any age up to 70.

Linton Penman, head of retail marketing and sales at Unum, explains: "We are responding to feedback from financial advisers, who want income protection to be more accessible for all their clients."

Unum says the availability of shorter deferred periods will appeal particularly to the self-employed and those whose employer provides little or no extended sick pay arrangements.

Penman concludes: "Income protection benefits that pay out sooner mean that people will need to rely less on their savings in the event of an illness or injury preventing them from working."