Iress has added ex-smoker questions to income protection (IP) underwriting on its sourcing platform, extending it from term and critical illness comparisons.
The firm said the ex-smoker feature – supported at launch by Aviva, National Friendly, Royal London and Zurich – aimed to provide greater product clarity and price certainty for advisers during the quoting process.
The ability for advisers to distinguish between current smokers, non-smokers and ex-smokers in IP sourcing means insurers also aim to provide more tailored and precise premiums that accurately reflect clients’ individual risk profiles.
Jacqui Durbin, global head of product for sourcing at Iress, (pictured) said following the launch of the ex-smoker feature on term and critical illness comparisons it was pleased to extend this to income protection.
“Alongside price transparency, the improvements support the move away from price alone, with greater clarity around product features further enabling personalised protection conversations with customers,” she said.
Vicky Churcher, co-chairwoman of the Income Protection Task Force (IPTF), added: “Getting the smoker rate right at the first opportunity is vital for both identifying appropriate insurers and managing client expectations.
“It is good to see this innovation enabling that to happen more simply today and in the inevitably complex future in this area.“
