Income Protection Solutions goes automated

Norwich Union Healthcare has transformed its flexible Income Protection Solutions product by introducing electronic application and teleinterviewing - significantly improving the customer experience both at application and claims stage.

From the 6th April, intermediaries can use a new short electronic application to capture and submit the financial and occupational details for all new customers. The customer will then receive a follow-up call to help them complete a medical interview capturing medical and lifestyle details. This allows intermediaries to focus on their client's financial needs without needing to interpret and accurately capture medical details at point of sale. It also provides protection to the intermediary as all phone calls will be recorded.

The teleinterview will be conducted by a team of interviewers (including nurses), trained in communication skills and equipped with the medical knowledge to lead the customer through the comprehensive questionnaire. The customer is sent a copy of the report to verify the medical information, before the policy starts.

This approach enables customers to ask any questions, ensuring they understand what is being asked of them and provide data at a time and place convenient to them, where they can have all relevant information to hand. They will also avoid feeling embarrassed as they will not be giving sensitive data face to face.

In addition to noticeably speeding up the enrolment process, the teleinterviewing approach has proven to significantly reduce non-disclosure - particularly around sensitive issues such as drug use and psychiatric problems. The comprehensive interview also helps control the need for additional medical information once the application is received.

The application process will be supported by a dedicated telephone line for intermediaries with customer quotes and applications initially available through The Exchange, and Webline.

Rebecca Freebody, head of propositions management & market development at Norwich Union Healthcare said:

"These changes to Income Protection Solutions have significantly improved the service we offer to both intermediaries and our customers. The new approach not only speeds the application process, but also helps ensure that all appropriate medical information is captured at the point of application. This has proven to significantly reduce non-disclosure, giving our customer greater reassurance that
should they need to claim everything will run smoothly."

Norwich Union Healthcare have also taken this opportunity to revise Activities of Daily Work definition 'Personal Capability Assessment', to offer greater cover to these clients.

Visit www.healthcarezone.co.uk/incomeprotection for more information or call the dedicated IP team at the Healthcare Bureau on 0845 3000 649. Calls may be recorded and/or monitored.

IFAonline