Zurich's changes to its critical illness policy are ‘all positive' and will help Zurich maintain its position in the market, CIExpert has said.
Alan Lakey, director of CIExpert, said: "These changes are all positive and ensure that Zurich does not fall behind the main industry players.
"They will reduce client disappointment and result in more paid claims. A number of the new conditions add little in that they are unlikely to increase claims in any substantial way.
"However it is disappointing to see the addition of three neurological conditions which Old Mutual and Scottish Widows already include within the inclusive Parkinson Syndromes heading.
"Surely the consumer would be better served by consolidating conditions under wider-ranging headings so that the plan is more cohesive and encompassing."
New 100% conditions added are:
Cardiac Arrest
Treated by implantation of a defibrillator.
Corticobasal Ganglionic Degeneration ; Diffuse Lewy Body Disease ; Parkinsonism-Dementia-Amyotrophic
All three neurological conditions require a definite diagnosis with permanent impairment of motor function, eye movement disorder, postural instability or diagnosis of dementia.
New additional payment conditions
Brain Abscess
Draining a brain abscess with a craniotomy.
Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformation
Treatment by embolization, stereotactic radiosurgery or surgery.
Liver Resection
Excluding those carried out as a result of alcohol or drug abuse.
Lobectomy
Removal of a love of the lung due to either disease or traumatic injury.
Syringomelia or Syringobulbia
Definite diagnosis which has been treated by surgery.
Third Degree Burns - 5% body 19% face
No payment if the claim is made within 30 days of any claim for standard third degree burns.
Existing condition word changes:
Blindness
Definition extended and now includes a Snellen score of 6/60 for loss of peripheral vision and a central visual field of no more than 200.
Cancer
Chronic Lymphomatic Leukaemia no longer has a Binet stage requirement while malignant squamous and basal cell carcinomas are also covered.
Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
A median sternotomy (splitting the chestbone) is no longer required.
Deafness
The threshold for claims has been reduced to 90 decibels in the better ear from 95.
Heart Attack
The requirement for a specified level of raised enzymes has been removed.
Heart Valve Repair/Replacement
A median sternotomy (splitting the chestbone) is no longer required.
Loss of Limb
Now covers a single limb rather than the loss of two.
Multiple Sclerosis
The definition has been widened to cover two or more attacks within the three months required.
Paralysis
Covers paralysis of a single limb rather than two.
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