AIG Life has renewed its contract with global telehealth provider Teladoc Health to deliver its Smart Health service for a further four years.
The firm says the early renewal of the contract follows growing demand from employers, with the service used more than 22,000 times in 2021 – double that of 2020.
Commenting on the contract extension, Phil Willcock, chief executive officer at AIG Life, said it built on what the firm sees is a changed protection insurance model.
“Our role as a life insurer, which has evolved faster as a result of the pandemic, is to help today’s customers live better lives,” he said.
“We can do that emotionally and physically by offering preventative healthcare support through Teladoc’s global professional expertise, then be there in the future when they need to claim financially.
“Our experience over the last two years has also shown how the right interventions can help reduce life, critical illness and income protection claims.”
Discussing the changing needs from customers, Willock said: “Today’s customers are more demanding and tech-savvy; they’re comfortable using their phone or digital device to manage their lives online 24/7, and they expect fast and high-quality support around the clock when they need it.
“They also need to feel that the protection products and services we provide are useful and worth paying for.”
Willock added he was pleased the insurer had renewed its contract with Teladoc Health and hoped it gave advisers confidence that the services would be there for the long-term.
He thanked Teladoc for its work and added: “Smart Health has been an essential lifeline during the pandemic and the insight used to inform its design is as relevant today as it was two years ago.”
Carlos Nueno, president, international at Teladoc Health, added: “We are pleased to continue our innovative, long-term partnership with AIG Life. Through Smart Health, we are living our mission to empower people everywhere to live their healthiest lives by transforming the healthcare experience.”