Aviva introduces new life insurance programme

It was announced today (May 6th)that Aviva has reduced the number of doctor reports requested for its life policy insurance applications by 60 per cent.

Aviva has reduced the number of doctor reports requested for its life policy insurance applications by 60 per cent, it was announced today (May 6th).

Under a new initiative called Improving Customer Underwriting (ICU), the UK's largest insurer has managed to gain more medical information through using nurses and underwriters to speak to its customers. By placing additional emphasis on underwriters, the company hopes to provide faster and fairer payout decisions on its annual insurance plans.

The ICU programme is intended to save customers time when getting their cover through reducing reliance on doctors reports and should also save the firm time due to there being less administrative procedures to follow. It is also intended to save money for the company - which can then be passed on to customers looking for single insurance policies - as well as reducing the burden put on GPs by insurance claims.

Richard Verdin, protection director at Aviva, said: "One of the main delays experienced when setting up life insurance policies is gaining evidence from a customer's doctor so these changes show a new understanding of what is actually needed and develops our processes in the best interest advisers and our customers."

By Joe Letts