Friends Life pays out 91% of CI claims

clock •

Friends Life has revealed it paid 91% of all critical illness (CI) claims received during 2013.

Overall, £116 million was paid in critical illness claims by Friends Life last year - 91% of all claims made. This was an improvement on 2012 where the insurer paid 90% of claims.

The top four illnesses claimed for were cancer, heart attack, stroke and multiple sclerosis with 70% of all claims being cancer-related.

The insurer also paid £111 million in life cover claims during 2013 - 99% of all claims made, paid to the families of almost 3,500 customers. This was the same as in 2012 where Friends Life paid out 99% of all life claims.

Additionally, 85% of Income Protection claims were paid totalling £21 million with average payout of £860 per month.

This was a slight drop from 2012 where the insurer Friends Life paid out 87% of IP claims in 2012.

Customers suffering mental illness or musculoskeletal disabilities made up around half of all claims.

Chris Pollard, head of underwriting, claims and operations for Friends Life Individual Protection, said: "We are continuing to improve our handling of every claim, including finding ways to speed up the claim process and providing customers with all the support they need."

More on Individual Protection

Budget an opportunity to review IP and Universal Credit: iptf

Budget an opportunity to review IP and Universal Credit: iptf

Letter to PM Andy Burnham

Vicky Churcher
clock 26 October 2026 • 3 min read
UnderwriteMe releases Protection Platform Pulse report

UnderwriteMe releases Protection Platform Pulse report

Underwriting outcomes and consumer research

Cameron Roberts
clock 21 October 2026 • 2 min read
Government pledges earlier support for mental health

Government pledges earlier support for mental health

Fonagy's final report launched

Jaskeet Briah
clock 12 October 2026 • 4 min read

Highlights

COVER Survey: Advisers damning of protection insurer service levels

COVER Survey: Advisers damning of protection insurer service levels

"It takes longer than ever to get underwriting terms"

John Brazier
clock 12 October 2023 • 5 min read
Online reviews trump price for young people selecting life and health cover

Online reviews trump price for young people selecting life and health cover

According to latest ReMark report

John Brazier
clock 11 October 2023 • 2 min read
ABI members with staff neurodiversity policy nearly doubles

ABI members with staff neurodiversity policy nearly doubles

Women within executive teams have grown to 32%

Jaskeet Briah
clock 10 October 2023 • 3 min read