Aviva has upgraded its business, direct to consumer and Santander white label critical illness (CI) plans to reflect amended Association of British Insurers model wordings for cancer, dementia and heart attack.
In September Aviva made changes to its core and upgraded critical illness plans.
Outlining today’s changes, CI Expert said they brought Aviva’s business and direct to consumer plans into line with its personal plans. Santander markets a white label version and Aviva has extended the changes to this plan as well.
Under the changes less advanced prostate cancer was removed from the cancer definition in around 2002 but is now included if treated by prostatectomy. Consequently, it has been removed from the Less Advanced Cancer of the Prostate definition. This will result in a small increase to future cancer claims.
Loss of speech has also been removed from the business and direct to consumer plans – again falling into line with the personal plan made available via advisers.
Revised 100% Condition Definitions
Cancer
This has been altered to include prostate cancer treated by prostatectomy and also includes amended wording relating to gastrointestinal and neuroendocrine tumours.
Dementia
The claim wording has been adjusted to confirm that permanent clinical loss is no longer required.
Heart Attack
The claim wording has been tweaked for clarification purposes.
Alan Lakey, director of CIExpert said: “As proponents of simplicity we applaud harmonisation as it reduces confusion among advisers and consumers alike. The cancer and dementia wording changes will also result in additional claims being paid creating confidence with the public.
“Other ABI members have until 16 September 2023 to make the necessary amendments to their plans so 2023 is likely to be busy with insurers taking this as an opportunity to improve their plans.”
Confirming the changes, an Aviva spokesperson said: “This brings our other products in line with the changes we made in September to reflect the ABI model wordings.”