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Legal & General revamps critical illness insurance

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Legal & General has launched a new critical illness insurance policy covering three additional illnesses. In total the policy covers 35 illnesses (12 more than required by industry guidelines). The three new illnesses are:

  • Encephalitis - resulting in permanent symptoms (inflammation of the brain, normally caused by a virus)
  • Systematic Lupus Erythematosus - with severe complications (a chronic auto-immune disease in which the immune system becomes hyperactive and attacks normal tissue)
  • Primary Pulmonary Hypertension - of specified severity (a blood vessel disorder of the lung)

The new policy also incorporates two additional illnesses added by the Association of British Insurers (ABI) (terminal illness and traumatic head injury - resulting in permanent symptoms). Other mandatory changes required by the ABI's new 'Statement of Best Practice 2006 for critical illness cover' have also been included.

Legal & General is widening the definitions on three illnesses, over and above ABI guidelines:

  • Aorta Graft Surgery - requiring surgical replacement. Now covers traumatic injury (in addition to disease)
  • Coma - resulting in permanent symptoms. Removed the restriction to be in a coma for at least 96 hours
  • Heart Attack - of specified severity. Removed requirement for 'typical clinical symptoms (such as chest pain)' from the model definition

    • Bonnie Burns, Legal & General's Protection Marketing Director said, "When people take out critical illness they want to know exactly what they are covered for and they want confidence that their policy is going to pay out if they have an eligible claim. We already have a strong reputation for paying claims and paid out over £92 million on critical illness last year."

    13 March 2007 © Moneyextra.com

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