The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has expanded its guide to the Disability Discrimination A...
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has expanded its guide to the Disability Discrimination Act to cover general insurance.
The new guide includes accident, sickness and unem-ployment cover, and is intended to be used by claims, customer service, product development and underwriting staff. The ABI's previous guidance, issued in September 2001, covered only life and disability insurances.
The guide sets out how insurers should apply the new legislation, with case studies and examples. The ABI advocates adopting standards of best practice beyond existing legal requirements, proactively offering cover to the disabled, including focused advertising, and training staff about the Act. They should also be open about their underwriting and claims discussions.
Mary Francis, director general of the ABI, said: 'This guide not only ensures companies are fully aware of their legal obligations, but through developing best practice, that they can also provide the best possible service to disabled people.' The Act will come fully into force in 2004.
