Friends Life has upgraded its critical illness plan, adding one new condition, three new partial payment conditions and six improved conditions.
The alterations, take effect from 9th August 2012.
Cardiac Arrest has been added a new condition. The insurer will meet a claim if sudden cardiac arrest is treated by implantation of a defibrillator.
Critical illness comparison site CI Expert noted that annually, over 2,000 meet the claim requirement although the vast majority will be over age 60.
For the new partial payment conditions payout is the lower of £12,500 or 12.50% of the sum assured.
The conditions are: Cerebral Ateriovenous Malformation, an abnormal connection between the arteries and the vein; Cerebral Aneurysm, a weakness in a blood vessel of the brain that causes it to bulge out and can cause and Non-Malignant Pituitary Adenoma, a benign tumour in the pituitary gland, a standard exclusion within the definition used by all companies for Benign Brain Tumour.
The definitions for blindness, major organ transplant, terminal Illness, third degree burns, ulcerative colitis and children's cover have also been improved.
Commenting on changes Alan Lakey, director of CIExpert and principal of IFAs Highclere financial Services, commented: "Friends Life is clearly aiming to remain up the top of the market. The plans it has are already comprehensive, but every time the competition makes a move it releases a more comprehensive plan.
"Friends Life is not, however, playing the premium game, but you get what you pay for.
He added: "The only proviso I would have with this approach is that it makes the plans more attractive to those advisers who are simply counting conditions, which may or may not be right for their client."
For a PDFand analysis of the Friends Life Changes click the link.
