Zurich announces CI changes

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Zurich has announced changes to its critical illness (CI) cover - changing definitions for cancer, multiple sclerosis (MS) and heart attacks.

The insurer has also announced new illnesses will be covered bringing the total number to 58.

The changes have been introduced ahead of the ABI's statement of best practice for critical illness insurance coming into force in December 2015.

The number of conditions which exceed the ABI's definitions has been increased to 18, including the top four conditions for claims: stroke; cancer; heart attack; and MS.

For cancer the two most common forms of skin cancer and the most common form of adult leukaemia are now covered.

The period when MS symptoms must persist has been reduced from six months to three, or is removed entirely with MRI evidence of two or more attacks of impaired motor or sensory function.

There is now a full payment made on the loss of one hand or one foot.

Heart attack claims have had the threshold for elevated troponin levels removed, so any raised level of them will now be payable.

The number of conditions customers can claim additional payments on has doubled to 12, paying out 20% of the sum assured or £15k for policyholders diagnosed with less advanced critical illnesses.

Peter Hamilton, head of retail propositions at Zurich said: "These enhancements strengthen the coverage available on our critical illness product.

"We've focused on improving the definitions for the conditions customers are most likely to claim on and have made them clearer.

"This should help customers better understand what they are buying and make things as straightforward as possible when they need to claim.

"This follows our investment this year in cutting claim turnaround times which have reduced by a quarter.

"We know what a difference these payments make to our customers and ensuring they get the support they need as soon as possible is crucial."

Further Reading: 

Aegon announces protection changes to ‘modernise' offering

Cancer patients 31% more likely to have a long term condition

Zurich pays 91% of CI claims

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