Whole of Life

Savers could be forced to pay inheritance tax while they are still alive, under a new drive against tax avoidance planned by the government.

Zurich has enhanced its Whole of Life proposition by providing advisers with access to online quotes and applications.

SunLife is launching a new funeral plan to help consumers beat the rising costs of funerals and inflation, as the company expands its offer in the direct-to-consumer financial services market.

The NHS could save £69million a year by providing community care to allow cancer patients in England to die at home instead of in hospital, according to Macmillan Cancer Support.

Engage Mutual has launched an updated ‘funeral calculator' on its adviser community site, enabling intermediaries to access up-to-date cremation and burial costs.

LifeSearch has added Engage Mutual's over- 50s life cover to its product portfolio in a move to offer customers ‘a more comprehensive and competitive service.'

Thousands more families will be required to pay inheritance tax (IHT) this year as an improving economy and rising house prices pull them above the threshold, according to figures.

PruProtect is to add Vitality, the insurer's healthy living rewards programme onto its Relevant Life policy.

UK consumers would switch to buying their life insurance on the internet if providers were able to offer professional online advice, a survey conducted for PwC has found.

Scottish Widows has reported that it paid out 99% of life and 90% of critical illness claims through its bancassurance channel during 2013.