It has expanded its definitions and added coverage for skin cancer as well as other severe illnesses under its CI Extra range. It has also introduced medical advances such as early detection, so customers can access treatment for less advanced illnesses.
For Children’s CI Extra, L&G has raised the maximum age a child can be covered from their 22nd birthday to their 23rd. This will be in place whether the child is in full-time education or not.
The insurance provider said this meant young adults studying, taking gap years or living at home for longer would continue to be covered.
Both the Children’s CIC and CI Extra now allow coverage for children in the legal guardianship of a policy holder, which L&G said reflected changing family structures in the UK.
Payments for conditions under the Children’s CI Extra and Child Terminal Illness policies will rise from 50% or £35,000 of the original sum assured to 50% or £40,000.
L&G Retail has broadened the definitions of cancer and severe illnesses to consider the increase of people receiving treatment for serious illnesses earlier.
The cancer definitions will now include some progressive cutaneous lymphoma and sarcomas, as well as low-grade thyroid cancer.
Cover for skin cancer of a specified severity has also been added, to reflect the earlier detection and treatment rates for the condition.
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are now covered under the broader definition of severe bowel disease, which also covers diverticulitis and intestinal ischaemia.
Its updated definitions also now include severe mental health illnesses.
Additionally, the insertion of a pacemaker and infective endocarditis will now be included under additional payment terms.
Payments for additional cover conditions under CI Extra policies will rise from 50% or £30,000 of the original sum assured.
Matching the changing critical illness needs of customers
Julie Godley (pictured), director of intermediary at Legal and General Retail, said: “We are happy to announce that our critical illness products now cover more areas and give our customers more options at a time when lifestyles in the UK are changing. Working with our intermediary partners and responding to the changing needs of our customers remains a key priority for us.
“Adding broader definitions for cancer, other serious illnesses and extending the number of customers covered by our Children’s CI Extra policies demonstrates our commitment to improving our protection cover and ensuring our products match the changing needs of our customers.”
She added: “We encourage all our intermediary partners to familiarise themselves with these details to help potential customers make the most informed decisions when taking out a policy. We’re also giving advisers the opportunity to hear directly from our experts about the changes in a series of webinars, which they can register for via our website.”
Plugging gaps in policy
Alan Lakey, director of CIExpert, said: “L&G was in danger of falling behind its competitors in the quality stakes, however the changes introduced to their Extra plan have regained its position amongst the elite. Removing the exclusion for stage 1 thyroid cancer is a major move, as is the addition of a new severe mental illness condition. Severe bowel disease consolidates Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis with other conditions such as pancreatitis and intestinal ischaemia. Adding less advanced cancer of the skin and increasing the additional payment maximum to £35,000 and children’s cover to £40,000 are all very welcome.
“The new conditions that have been added serve to plug gaps where competitors claimed an edge.
“With its market-leading brand and sound claims philosophy, today’s changes will assist L&G in regaining market share that has been lost over the past 13 months.”
