Legal & General is lifting most of its Covid underwriting restrictions and will no longer be asking people if they are self-isolating due to Covid, or if they have had direct contact with someone who had, or was thought to have, Covid.
While questions around any recent Covid diagnosis or recent related symptoms have been retained, these have been moved to be part of the main application.
L&G has also announced Covid related restrictions on the maximum ratings available that could be applied on certain conditions during the pandemic have all been lifted, with the approach returning to pre-pandemic maximum ratings.
Further updates to the insurer’s underwriting approach mean that for life cover a customer who previously had Covid can apply for cover as soon as they can confirm they have made a full recovery.
Those applying for critical illness and income protection can apply 30 days after full recovery. Previously customers had to wait up to 90 days after recovery from Covid.
David Banks, underwriting and claims director at Legal & General, said: “We regularly review our underwriting approach based on the latest medical and government guidance and are therefore lifting the majority of underwriting restrictions that we have had in place due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We have taken a nuanced approach to underwriting throughout the pandemic with the aim of offering the maximum number of people cover.
“Our updated approach is good news for customers and will help allow cover to be given to those who previously would have been postponed due to Covid-19 diagnosis or symptoms.”
Aviva, LV=, Royal London and Vitality have all eased Covid underwriting restrictions since April.