Group Protection

Zurich has recorded its highest quarterly protection market share as part of an overall growth in its IFA presence.

Insurers could be prevented from using age, health and any other form of differentiation to underwrite and price products if a French administrative authority has its way.

The FSA expects protection and health insurance to be among the most likely product areas affected if the European Court of Justice (ECJ) rules that gender based pricing is illegal.

Protection and medical insurance complaints are on course for a significant drop in volume during 2010/11, according to the latest statistics released by the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS).

Advisers have expressed their shock at revelations a European Court ruling could require insurance contracts to be altered retrospectively and see some providers close to new business.

Cancer sufferers awaiting chemotherapy and those between courses will now be treated the same as patients already receiving treatment when claiming Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).

Some protection and private medical insurance (PMI) providers could be forced to immediately close to new business on 1 March when a European Court decision on gender underwriting is announced.

Unum has launched the UK's first fully fledged group risk scheme that can be fully funded by employee contributions alone.

Colin Williams has been appointed director of corporate at Friends Provident, responsible for the provider's strategy in the corporate benefits market.

Legal & General has welcomed government plans to increase access to treatment for mental health conditions and adopt approaches successfully used by group risk providers.