LV= releases plain English CI definitions guide

LV= has produced a plain English guide offering simplified explanations for advisers to use when explaining critical illnesses (CI) to clients.

The guide does not solely list the illnesses covered by LV= to be as generally useful as possible to advisers, the provider said.

It has also produced a CI comparison table for advisers to compare which options each provider currently offers under its plan, to aid advisers in their decision making process with clients.

Mark Jones, head of protection at LV=, said: "Advisers can't be expected to have the medical background of a doctor, with complete understanding of all the definitions of the critical illnesses covered.

"We want to try to make it as easy as possible to explain what the medical terms covered under a CI plan actually mean, without having to wade through pages and pages of product literature.

"We think this will help advisers in their conversations with clients, and ultimately, give clients greater confidence in the product they are buying."

Alan Lakey, senior partner at Highclere Financial Services, added that this type of information was always welcome and that too many advisers have a scant knowledge of the various conditions which was likely to reduce their capability to promote critical illness cover.