Shepherds Friendly has launched a new Simplified Application option for their Income Protection, which is now accessible to all of their intermediaries, meaning your clients could be protected in as little as five minutes.

We are immensely proud to introduce our new and existing advisers to our Income Protection Simplified Application. This new route to protection sits alongside our existing fully underwritten application, now known as the Full Health and Lifestyle Application, giving you both options to discuss with your clients.

One of the innovative aspects of the new application route is the introduction of a moratorium period for pre-existing health conditions. This means that, other than a few specifically excluded conditions, such as having suffered from a stroke or dementia, we can now offer your clients our Income Protection without additional underwriting until the point of claim. Not only does this mean that clients with severe illnesses or multiple medical conditions can now get cover without premium rating or loading, but it also means that your clients can apply in as little as five minutes, without the need to fill out medical disclosure forms.

As stated during the Income Protection (Simplified Application) process:

‘If you have experienced any symptoms, disease, illness or injury in the three years before you take out this policy, you’ll only be covered for the symptoms, disease, illness or injury once you’ve been free from medication, treatment, diagnostic tests or advice for two continuous years, after your cover started.’

This is a plan that has been purpose built to accommodate clients who want cover without having to go through a lengthy application and without having to disclose historic illness. We are working around the clock to support our intermediary partners with understanding how this can best support their clients, but also instances in which this will not be suitable for their clients.

At a time when the cost of living is becoming a struggle for many, and there is an increasing need to cut costs, we hope that making the Simplified Application available to all of our intermediaries will make it easier for their clients to understand what their protection plan entails and how it can help them in the current climate.

For more information about our Income Protection or to talk about how we can support you, your business and your clients, please reach out to our Business Development team on 0161 495 6495 during our opening hours (Monday to Thursday, 9.00am – 5.00pm; Friday, 9.00am – 4.00pm) or email intermediary@shepherdsfriendly.co.uk.