Friday, 14 December 2012 10:41
One week to buy insurance policies on gender-specific rates
There is one week to go until the Gender Directive rules come into force on 21 December.
The new rules will see insurers no longer able to differentiate between genders when pricing insurance policies, following a ruling by the European Court of Justice. This will affect all types of insurance including motor, critical illness and annuities.
LV= has said it is applying gender-neutral quotes to its new policies but that amendments to an existing LV= policy would remain on a gender specific rate. The firm has offered a 'G-day guarantee' and reminded advisers that if they had made an application for a new policy by 9 December then they must accept this by 20 December to qualify for gender-specific rates.
Aviva will be implementing gender-neutral pricing on all new quotations for its insurance products by 17 December. If an adviser wishes to choose gender-specific rates, Aviva must receive the application, information requested and payment by 21 December.
Aegon will also be introducing gender neutral pricing from 17 December.
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Friends Life said it would be offering gender-specific terms until 20 December and would also guarantee gender-specific pricing for policies submitted before 14 December in order to have it on risk by 20 December.
Steve Payne, managing director of protection at Friends Life, said: "This does not mean we will be able to offer gender-specific terms in every case as there are likely to be some instances where further information is required.
"However, we will do everything we can to get that additional information before the deadline to enable us to put a case on risk and I would urge advisers to make full use of the underwriting rules systems which can deliver up to 70 per cent of decision at the point of sale."
Just Retirement said it was already offering gender-neutral rates but that gender-specific rates would be available on request until 20 December. These would have the standard 45-day guarantee from when the quote was issued.
Stephen Lowe, group external affairs and customer insight director, said: "The dates give advisers the flexibility to help their clients receive higher incomes by getting them on gender-specific rates while ensuring full compliance with the new rules."
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The new rules will see insurers no longer able to differentiate between genders when pricing insurance policies, following a ruling by the European Court of Justice. This will affect all types of insurance including motor, critical illness and annuities.
LV= has said it is applying gender-neutral quotes to its new policies but that amendments to an existing LV= policy would remain on a gender specific rate. The firm has offered a 'G-day guarantee' and reminded advisers that if they had made an application for a new policy by 9 December then they must accept this by 20 December to qualify for gender-specific rates.
Aviva will be implementing gender-neutral pricing on all new quotations for its insurance products by 17 December. If an adviser wishes to choose gender-specific rates, Aviva must receive the application, information requested and payment by 21 December.
Aegon will also be introducing gender neutral pricing from 17 December.
{desktop}{/desktop}{mobile}{/mobile}
Friends Life said it would be offering gender-specific terms until 20 December and would also guarantee gender-specific pricing for policies submitted before 14 December in order to have it on risk by 20 December.
Steve Payne, managing director of protection at Friends Life, said: "This does not mean we will be able to offer gender-specific terms in every case as there are likely to be some instances where further information is required.
"However, we will do everything we can to get that additional information before the deadline to enable us to put a case on risk and I would urge advisers to make full use of the underwriting rules systems which can deliver up to 70 per cent of decision at the point of sale."
Just Retirement said it was already offering gender-neutral rates but that gender-specific rates would be available on request until 20 December. These would have the standard 45-day guarantee from when the quote was issued.
Stephen Lowe, group external affairs and customer insight director, said: "The dates give advisers the flexibility to help their clients receive higher incomes by getting them on gender-specific rates while ensuring full compliance with the new rules."
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