London & Country has appointed Aviva, Guardian and LV= as preferred critical illness (CI) providers for its protection advice process.
The trio join existing preferred providers Legal & General and Scottish Widows.
The intermediary told Health & Protection the three firms were appointed following a review last month, however it would not confirm whether any providers had lost preferred provider status.
“L&C continues to offer advice from across the market to ensure that it has the widest possible coverage to meet customer needs,” the intermediary said.
“As part of our critical illness proposition and in light of the complexities in the market, we periodically review critical illness providers and highlight those that can meet the highest standards and quality in terms of policy, features and service including claims.
“It’s important for our advisers to have access to the whole market for customers but in an increasingly fast paced critical illness market, our preferred providers give advisers and their customers reassurance that the policy and service will match their expectation.”
Guardian announced it had secured preferred provider status earlier today.
Hilary Banks, sales director at Guardian, said the insurer was looking forward to working with L&C’s advisers and clients.
“We’re delighted to have won this coveted position as one of L&C’s preferred critical illness providers,” she said.
“This is testament to the amazing work the team at Guardian do every day to make life better for advisers and clients.”