PDG's underwriting challenges: What we would like to see on mental health questions

Achieving better consumer outcomes

clock • 3 min read

In part one of this two-part series, Alan Knowles, managing director of Cura Financial Services and board member of the Protection Distributors Group (PDG), explores the achievable improvements that can address important underwriting barriers, starting with mental health questions.

The pandemic sparked plenty of concern for both insurers and advisers, especially when it came to underwriting. It might be better now that loading caps have been mostly removed and medicals are able to proceed again, but we are still feeling the impact; NHS waiting lists for surgeries/investigations are taking longer than ever before, so some people seeking protection insurance are now being postponed for years due to outstanding tests/treatment, whereas previously it would have been months. We are not underwriters, and we don't envy an underwriter's role in the current climate, but ...

To continue reading this article...

Join COVER for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, key trend analysis and industry insights.
  • Stay on top of the latest developments around health and wellbeing, diversity and inclusion and the cost of living crisis.
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletter.
  • Members only access to monthly programme 'The COVER Review'
  • Be the first to hear about our CPD accredited events and awards programmes.

Join now

 

Already a Cover member?

Login

More on Underwriting

Royal London aiming to reduce GP report delays

Royal London aiming to reduce GP report delays

Partnership with iGPR

Cameron Roberts
clock 05 October 2026 • 1 min read
Zurich personal protection and IP added to UnderwriteMe platform

Zurich personal protection and IP added to UnderwriteMe platform

Eighth insurer to offer ‘Buy Now’ option

Cameron Roberts
clock 28 August 2026 • 1 min read
Guardian reduces underwriting wait times

Guardian reduces underwriting wait times

Less than one-day average in Q2 2026

Cameron Roberts
clock 27 August 2026 • 2 min read