Guardian has introduced a major upgrade across both its adult and children’s critical illness cover, which is set to take place later this month.
The upgrade will include the addition of five new critical illness definitions (three for adult’s cover and two for children’s cover), 24 definition improvements (13 for adult cover and 11 for children’s cover).
It has also improved its children’s critical illness cover to now include the policyholder’s partner’s children.
Alongside the improvements, there will be 16 neutral wording changes and three clarifications to its definitions to increase customer certainty about when they can claim.
The new definitions on adult’s cover are lobectomy, necrotising fasciitis, and removal of urinary bladder.
On children’s cover the new definitions are lobectomy and removal of urinary bladder.
One of the biggest improvements is related to surgery cover. Guardian has removed surgery cover as a separate partial pay out definition – which previously paid 25% of the cover amount when a policyholder was placed on the NHS waiting list – and has enhanced each of the individual definitions it applies to.
Now, Guardian will make a full 100% payout on 12 definitions and a 50% payout up to £50,000 on two definitions when a customer is placed on the NHS waiting list for surgery (or once they’ve undergone the surgery).
Another improvement is to the major organ transplant definition. This now includes transplants of organs from animals or artificial devices, supporting Guardian’s commitment to make sure its definitions keep up to date with medical enhancements.
Existing customers have access to the new and improved definitions too due to Guardian’s cover upgrade promise.
This promise means when Guardian improves definitions on its critical illness cover for new policyholders, it will give those improved definitions to existing policyholders as well.
This means existing policyholders can claim on any of the definitions listed in their policy terms and conditions, as well as any improved definitions that Guardian has added since.
This applies to both full payout and additional payout definitions.
Hilary Banks, commercial director, Guardian, said: “We’re thrilled to announce our biggest cover upgrade yet, which is going live soon.
“It will be the most far-reaching we’ve done – with five new definitions and 24 improvements – as well as an extended definition of the children covered under children’s cover to now include the policyholder’s partner’s children.
“A particular highlight is our improvement to definitions involving surgical procedures.
“Customers can now make a full claim if they’re put on the NHS waiting list for one of the listed surgeries, as opposed to a 25% partial payment.
“The very best bit is that – due to our cover upgrade promise – our existing customers will also benefit. This is something we’re immensely proud of as it means people who choose Guardian can always be confident that they’ll have access to the best definitions we have on offer.”
She added: “Our promise helps advisers too, supporting them to develop long-lasting client relationships based on trust.
“Plus, to make our cover even easier to understand, we’re introducing a cover upgrade promise checker tool for both customers and advisers, to help them clearly see the range of definitions they can claim under.”
Alan Lakey, director at CIExpert, said: “Guardian’s adult and children’s critical illness covers have always been known for quality and this upgrade enhances this reputation even further.
“Taking into account the five new definitions, 24 improvements, 16 wording changes and three clarifications, Guardian’s critical illness cover is consistently at or towards the top of the CIExpert quality tables.
“A real differentiator, when talking about quality, is Guardian’s cover upgrade promise.
“This promise makes all these improvements available for existing customers, not just new ones.
“For me, this promise is a perfect example of how our industry can challenge itself to provide better customer outcomes.”
