Scot Prov and Bright Grey expand CI cover

Scottish Provident and Bright Grey have amended their critical illness products to include five new definitions and two reclassifications of conditions.

The providers are now offering additional cover for low grade prostate cancer and an early form of breast cancer known as ductal carinoma in situ (DCIS).

Both these will receive a partial payment of £15,000 or 20% of the sum assured, whichever is the lower.

Four of the five new definitions, the first two of which the insurers said are completely new to the critical illness market, are the same:

Intensive care 10 days - any sickness or injury resulting in a person requiring continuous mechanical ventilation for 10 consecutive days or more,

Pneumonectomy - the undergoing of surgery to remove an entire lung,

Multiple system atrophy - diagnosis of multiple system atrophy resulting in permanent symptoms,

Encephalitis - diagnosis of encephalitis resulting in permanent symptoms.

However, Scot Prov has added Systemic lupus erythematosus (with severe complications) while Bright Grey has included Pulmonary artery graft surgery (surgery to divide the breastbone).

The additions take the total number of conditions covered to 43 for the Royal London owned pair.

Both providers also now offer nine ABI+ definitions, with Bright Grey enhancing its version for stroke, and Scot Prov improving stroke and third degree burns cover.

The pair announced last week that they had amalgamated sales teams but the propositions would remain separate entities.

Ian Smart, head of product development & technical support, at Bright Grey said: "With the treatment of illnesses such as cancer, stroke and heart disease constantly improving and with more people surviving conditions they would have died from 20 years ago, it is crucial that our critical illness cover keeps pace with these advances.

"Introducing two definitions that will provide additional cover for people suffering from early forms of cancer is a big step forward in terms of offering IFAs even greater choice for their clients."

Susan Barclay, head of marketing at Scottish Provident, added: "We recognise the importance of providing the best definitions combined with a wider breadth of cover, ultimately leading to paying more claims to our customers when they need it.