Impartial reviews on the latest products and how they can impact consumers.
September 2011 Aviva: iPMI
Aviva’s International Solutions international private medical insurance plans are available to individuals or to groups. And have now been updated. Changes include: • Customers now get access to StandbyMD. This is an exclusive arrangement that gives access to a physician offering medical support and advice at any time of the day or night. Telephone access is 24/7, and face-to-face consultations or home visits can be arranged within two hours (one hour in the USA). A brochure explains the service. • A new US network has been added. This is managed by Olympus Managed Healthcare, which handles over 125,000 claims a…
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July 2011 Zurich: Term
Zurich has enhanced coverage of its level and decreasing plans with critical illness cover. First, it has increased the number of ABI+ definitions from six to ten. Second, it has extended its geographical limits from 23 to 43 countries. Third, it has extended these changes to its children’s (which pays up to a £25,000 sum insured) critical illness benefits too. The company has also launched a multi-media pack to help advisers promote the benefits of critical illness cover. The guide It’s always the right time to make a critical decision is accompanied by a real case study DVD telling the…
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July 2011 Partnership: Other
As we closed for press, Andrew Dilnot’s report on long term care funding was due to be published (on 4 July) and it was expected to include recommendations that could see long term care insurance—in one or some forms—as part of the range of possible funding solutions. Which makes Partnership’s new mortgage product very topical. The product is an equity release mortgage, specifically designed for homeowners with health issues. It is available to homeowners age 60 or over with a home worth at least £70,000. Partnership estimates that up to 40% of those who qualify for equity release could benefit…
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June 2011 BIBA: PMI
This plan is provided by Jelf Employee Benefits to broking members of BIBA (British Insurance Brokers’ Association) and is underwritten by AXA PPP healthcare. The launch of the plan has been controversial—but our review focuses on the plan itself. Four versions of the plan are available—named MyWellbeing Plan One, Two, Three and Four respectively. In addition, each plan level is available in two cover levels, with cover level one giving more cover than level two. A Six Week Option also reduces costs, in return for excluding private treatment where the NHS can deliver that within six weeks. Unusually, Plan Four…
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June 2011 Simplyhealth: HCP
Simplyhealth has extended the range of its existing Simply Cash plan, making its group version now available to SMEs, with just three to nine members. The plan is available from just £1.25 a week (up from £1 a week for larger employers, reflecting the greater risk and smaller scale of such schemes). The basic plan covers 100% of dental (up to £60 a year); optical (also £60pa); selected therapies (£150); consultation fees and scans (£500); health screening (£100). Higher cover levels are also available. In addition, clients may choose to add any one or more of four options: • Choice…
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