Friends Provident has enhanced its Critical Illness Cover (CIC) by extending the list of conditions covered under its plan to 36*. The company has also extended the maximum policy term to 40 years and the age at which plans can end to age 70.
Mark Jones, head of protection at Friends Provident said:
“Friends Provident’s strengths in the protection market are its claims handling and service levels. If you combine these existing strengths with the enhancements we have announced today, we believe this makes our Critical Illness Cover one of the most comprehensive products available in the protection market. There is now no reason for advisers not to recommend our Critical Illness Cover to their clients.”
In June 2007 Friends Provident led the market by implementing proposals to pay proportionate sums to claimants in some cases of non-disclosure. These new additions have been implemented to improve the company’s competitive position in the protection market.
Mark Jones commented:
“All providers sell these products to give people valuable peace of mind. I believe the industry’s continued efforts in implementing a fairer claims culture is reaping rewards for customers, advisers and for the overall reputation of the industry.”
Michael Cooke, Chairman of protection specialists The Money Helper, commented:
“It’s great to see Friends Provident once again raise their game bringing their CI coverage up to similar levels to the best on offer in the market. Whilst Friends’ 35 conditions (plus optional TPD benefit) is still not quote up to the level of cover offered by the likes of BUPA (37), Fortis (38) & Prudential (39) it’s a vast improvement on the 27 conditions previously covered which was frankly embarrassing.
“The providers offering the narrowest CI coverage such as Scottish Widows (27) & Norwich Union (26) should take note, but even more importantly, consumers with poor CI coverage should be asking themselves why they are paying good money for such inferior coverage when they could have so much more.”
For a full list of the Critical Illness Conditions for which cover is available check the CI conditions page at www.themoneyhelper.co.uk
