LifeSearch joins calls for action against 'ignorant' ECJ ruling

LifeSearch has called on the ABI and Treasury to halt the European Court of Justice’s (ECJ) “ignorant” ruling to ban gender-based underwriting.

The advice firm also raised the question of a protection trade body but acknowledged that in this circumstance it was unlikely it could have succeeded.

Tom Baigrie, managing director of LifeSearch, spoke prior to announcing the protection specialist's annual awards, of which Ageas was named best overall provider and Richard Verdin of Aviva, best protection leader.

Baigrie railed against the ECJ's decision, saying: "You could start conversations by discussing whether insurance rates can discriminate or whether they do not merely differentiate on mathematically and scientifically proven grounds.

"Or whether the ECJ's commitment to the fine cause of equality has perhaps led them to put religion ahead of science, and whether that makes them more like some Mediaeval Pope than the liberal reformers they aspire to be?"

"There has been talk as to whether a protection trade body could have stopped the ECJ," he continued.

"In truth I doubt that, though I hope the ABI and Treasury can find a way of challenging this ignorant threat to London's vital insurance market.

"One of the difficulties in creating a specifically protection trade body is that it's three elements, reinsurance, insurance and distribution, are not always aligned in their profit drivers," he added.

However, Baigrie reflected on an otherwise positive outlook for the industry and the opportunity to replace retreating state benefits.

"This has been a good year so far for the protection market," he said.

"Sales are up, there has been a bit of a supply side boom and even a seriously high quality bit of Aviva TV advertising to support it. LifeSearch is moving forward as fast as it viably can into the gap left by the retreating welfare state and I'd ask you to reflect on the huge opportunity we as an industry now have.

"You personally - for in this room today stand most of the leaders of our sector - have a once in a lifetime chance to seize the initiative and help the millions the state never will again," he added.

The LifeSearch awards winners were:

Best service provider - Axa

Best underwriting team - Ageas

Best e-commerce provider - Ageas

Most improved provider - PruProtect

Best critical illness provider - Axa

Best income protection provider - UNUM

Best new initiative - PruProtect

Nick Crossman Award for best marketing and communications: - LV=

Best individual impact - Dave Warren (PruProtect)

Best protection leader - Richard Verdin (Aviva)

Best overall provider - Ageas