Senior Protection Advisor
Case 1
Critical illness cover for a HIV sufferer
I’ll always remember this case as it was one of the first of its kind in the entire country!
The client was a male in his early-30s. He has been diagnosed with HIV in his younger years, and was now taking on a large mortgage in London with his partner, who had no major risk factors and was eligible for standard rates on life and critical illness cover.
Using extensive research into the underwriting principles at insurers and the client’s medical records, I identified that the viral load was undetectable and, given the length of time since diagnosis, his profile was a fit for one insurer. We made an application and subsequent medical reporting was carried out before they agreed to offer the cover he needed.
This was one of the first cases in the UK where critical illness cover had been achieved for a client who was HIV positive. The policy was offered with a loading on the premium, but there were no exclusions to the cover.
Robert Zonenblick - Senior Protection Advisor
Case 2
Inheritance tax liability cover for a portfolio landlord
This case was a significant one for us because of the amount of cover involved and the complexity of the client’s circumstances.
The client was a high net worth portfolio landlord who needed cover for the inheritance tax liability of his £36 million estate of property. He had medical issues and was undergoing ongoing treatment, which meant we had to look at numerous insurers to find the right one.
Many providers rejected the case outright before we arrived at our final option. I requested that the cover be split between re-insurers to minimise the risk, and this was the clincher.
The underwriting process included medical reports, exercise ECG, and blood tests, and we had to deal very sensitively with the client’s family since the amount of money being invested in the cover and the sum assured was considerable.
Working with our legal partners, we were also able to help set up a business scheme to minimise the capital gains and future wealth of the extended family, all the while the client continued to enjoy the proceeds from the rental income their estate was generating.
All clients' names and personal information have been excluded from these case studies to maintain their anonymity
