Aviva is removing most of its Covid underwriting criteria introduced at the start of the pandemic for individual protection applications, with immediate effect.
The insurer says the move follows progress now being made with the vaccination programme and declining Covid infections in the UK.
While during the pandemic Aviva was able to offer terms to more than 9 in 10 individual protection customers, today’s changes mean it can offer cover to a further 2% of applicants who typically have chronic medical conditions placing them at a higher risk should they have contracted Covid.
The changes are in addition to planned updates to Aviva’s automated rules engine effective from 24 May.
Cumulatively, an additional 2% of customers will be able to access an immediate decision on their protection application.
Robert Morrison, global life chief underwriter for health and protection at Aviva, said: “Given the game-changing effect of the vaccination effort in the UK, lifting our Covid-19 underwriting criteria now is the right thing to do to help those customers with manageable chronic conditions get the protection that they need.
“We’re committed to making insurance as accessible as possible to the greatest number of people.
“Our decisions have always been driven by data and emerging medical evidence and now we are seeing a reduction in risk I’m delighted to announce this positive move for advisers and their customers.”