From Integrity Life.

From Integrity Life.

Integrity Group Holdings Limited (IGHL) have announced that its wholly owned subsidiary Integrity Life Australia Limited (ILAL) (together Integrity Group) will no longer be writing new life insurance policies in the Retail Advised and Corporate Group Insurance channels.

The Chairman of Integrity Group, Eric Dodd stated “This has been a very difficult decision. The Board and the Integrity Leadership Team have been actively reviewing the strategic direction of Integrity Group and have considered and progressed a range of options. Protection of policyholders is critical and as such the Board has taken the difficult decision to close to new business in the Retail Advised and Corporate Group channels.”

Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Sean McCormack said “I’m incredibly sad for the entire Integrity team and our many partners who have supported us, especially in recent years. This is not the news we’d hoped to share however the significant challenges of the Australian life market coupled with the realities of growing a business from the ground up mean that it is necessary. It is vitally important that we remain true to what’s most important, being able to protect and support our policyholders and their loved ones.”

“With the support and confidence of our partners, and despite the challenges, we have achieved very strong growth since March 2021 – for this we’re very grateful. Unfortunately, the Retail Advised channel has seen a substantial reduction in the number of Financial Advisers providing risk advice over the last five years. The number of lives insured across all channels has substantially reduced and the market decline means that scale is critical. Achieving scale requires significant ongoing investment, and we have reached a point where it is not in either the policyholder or shareholder interests to continue to write new Retail Advised policies.”

“Given the challenges with Retail Advised, we have also taken the decision to cease quoting for new Corporate Group Insurance business, to maintain our capital for the benefit and protection of existing policyholders. Our commitment to claims is unchanged. We remain focused on supporting our existing policyholders and we are committed to looking after them in their time of need.”

For the Retail Advised channel this change will take effect from 29 September 2023. For the Corporate Group Insurance channel this change takes effect immediately (5 September 2023). Other Integrity partnerships remain open to new business at this time. Integrity Group confirmed that for all Retail Advised and Corporate Group policyholders there will be no change to their existing insurance policy terms or conditions in accordance with the relevant Product Disclosure Documents (PDS) and Policy Documents. Claims processes will remain unchanged, and Integrity will continue to meet Life Insurance Code of Practice obligations. 

Integrity Life

Integrity Life

From the newsroom

It pays to think long term.

It pays to think long term.

It pays to think long term.

 

It’s the ultimate goal – to provide quality advice that not just meets the needs and objectives of clients but supports their financial circumstances and future ambitions.

But what does that mean?

  • Understanding the specific financial needs and desires of each client, both today and for the future
  • Investigating and then determining which life insurance product(s) would support these needs and desires
  • Providing quality advice and a recommendation for the client to make an informed and educated decision

Balancing the cost of delivering to a client’s short and long term needs becomes critical especially in life insurance where cost requires consideration not just for the first year, but also for the third, fifth and maybe even longer.

Integrity Life

Integrity Life

From the newsroom

To understanding the long-term pricing of an insurer it is important to understand an insurer’s ‘sweet spot’ or target market. At Integrity we want to ensure that our insurance is affordable and accessible for the demographic’s that need it most. That’s why we’re focused on the following segments:

  • Packages of lump sum covers with and without Income Insurance;
  • Clients aged 30-50;
  • White and light blue occupations primarily.

We believe life insurance is a product for life, which is why:

  • We offer discounts that are for the life of the Policy, such as our 7.5% Multi-Cover Discount and Life+ Healthy Living Discount (10.5% off Life, 5% off TPD and 5% off Critical Illness Cover);
  • Our policies have a 2-year rate guarantee;
  • We don’t charge archaic monthly premium loadings; and
  • Don’t charge Policy fees.

As we’ll show you – it pays to look at insurers over the long term. We’re a standout with cumulative lump sum premium, it’s why we were recognised at Financial Newswire and DEXX&R’s Adviser Choice Risk Awards for our Integrity’s Here for You Critical Illness Cover and Income Insurance Cover, Inside Super and were a finalist for the AFA Life Company of the year Awards in the Trauma category.  

Our Integrity’s Here for You product (Life, Income Insurance, TPD and Critical Illness) is tailored to meet the specific needs of this target demographic of client’s, is ranked highly (so you have confidence in our product), definitions that are well placed when compared to other insurers, ancillary benefits that support with the things clients don’t want to be without (their family, a comfortable environment, mental health support and more) and pricing to support clients today, tomorrow and into the long term.

About Integrity Life

So far, we’ve been trusted to protect over 190,000 Australians from all walks of life. We’re committed to being your Partner today, tomorrow and for life. So, what are you waiting for? Go all out and get in contact with the team at Integrity Life at sales@integritylife.com.au for a fresh alternative to the more traditional providers.

Graphs sourced from IRESS as at 11 April 2023.

For full benefit details, terms, conditions and exclusions refer to the Integrity’s Here for You Product Disclosure Statement (PDS). To understand who this product has been designed for refer to the Integrity’s Here for You Target Market Determination (TMD). Both the PDS and TMD are available on our website at www.integritylife.com.au/products/pds-forms

The latest with Integrity’s Here for You product and Underwriting

The latest with Integrity’s Here for You product and Underwriting

The latest with Integrity’s Here for You product and Underwriting

We’re excited to share some exciting improvements we’re making to our Integrity’s Here for You product, pricing and Underwriting. These changes are designed to allow you to easily compare products and reflects the needs (and wants) of your clients – supporting them when they need it most and supporting you in getting your clients covered faster. 

So, what does this mean?

From 30 January 2023, new business clients could access the following product changes:

Full 70% Income Replacement Ratio (IRR)

Our 70% IRR can now be maintained for the life of the claim period for new clients with a To Age 65 Payment Period. 

Bonus Multi-Cover Discount (total Multi-Cover Discount now up to 15%)

Get an EXTRA 7.5% off the total Policy premium when new clients qualify for our existing Multi-Cover Discount and have at least $500,000 Life Cover and $500,000 TPD Cover. Multi-Cover Discount Fine Print applies. 

The 7.5% bonus Multi-Cover Discount combined with our existing 7.5% Multi-Cover Discount provides 15% off the total Policy premium – and remember our discounts apply for the entire life of the Policy.

Care Support Package Expanded to include Homemakers

Our Care Support Package (10 ancillary benefits that provide support and reimbursement when times get tough) is now available for new clients who are in Occupation Class 5 (this includes important occupations such as Homemakers).

Critical Illness Cover Medical Definitions Updated

We’ve updated our Multiple Sclerosis – with specified severity medical definition and Severe Parkinson’s Disease medical definition. This means we’ll now pay a full benefit upon unequivocal diagnosis of either of these conditions.

So, what does this mean?

From 30 January 2023, clients could access the following Underwriting changes:

Medical Requirements
Revised or Removed

The Health Consent Form for medical checks and investigations is no longer required, making it quicker and easier to work with Paramedical Providers. We’ll continue to require a digital Health Consent Form for medical reports.

We no longer require a Hepatitis B & C serology and HIV test unless the sum insured is more than $10 million on Life or TPD Cover, $1.5 million on Critical Illness Cover or $20,000 per month on Income Insurance Cover.

Removed the need for a Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test and will only request a mammogram if the client has not had their routine check-up (in line with medical recommendations).

Financial Underwriting Requirements Reviewed

Reduced evidence requests for both employed and self-employed individuals applying for a 2 or 5 year Benefit Period. Also, no financial requirements needed (subject to standard Underwriting) for 2 and 5 year Benefit Periods for employee’s applying for Income Insurance Cover.

For Employees requesting a To Age 65 Payment Period, proof of income will only be required when monthly sum insured exceeds $20,000.

For self-employed clients, we have increased the proof of income limit for monthly sum insured from $15,000 to $20,000 for 2 and 5 year Payment Periods.

  

Got a question or need a hand?

Check out our Supplementary PDS for more information or get in touch with our Distribution team at sales@integritylife.com.au 

Integrity Life

Integrity Life

From the newsroom

The latest with our Income Insurance Cover.

The latest with our Income Insurance Cover.

The latest with our Income Insurance Cover.

At Integrity, we deeply believe in the importance of co-creating with our Partners, because we believe life insurance is a product for life. That’s why we’ve designed our products with real life in mind. It’s also about making it comparable, easy to understand, sustainable for the long term and (most importantly) supports clients (and their loved ones) when they need it most.

In October 2021, we launched our updated Income Insurance product. We’ve received some incredibly useful feedback from Adviser roundtables and engagement activities with Partners on how it could be enhanced. As a result, we’re excited to announce some important improvements we’ve made in response to what you told us.

Improvements happening from 11 April 2022

Feature

What do you get?

Total Disability Top Up

Is now available when a 70% Income Replacement Ratio (IRR) is chosen.

This means your client could receive up to 90% benefit for the first six months of claim (a 70% IRR plus an approximate 20% Total Disability Top Up). 

Passive Income

We’ve removed Passive Income from the list of payments that would reduce a client’s monthly benefit.

And if payments are received from other disability insurance policies, credit or mortgage insurance, those payments will only reduce the monthly benefit if the cumulative total of those payments and the monthly benefits exceed the maximum Cover Amount.

5-year Payment Period

We’ll now maintain a 70% IRR and use your client’s own occupation to assess the claim for the full Payment Period, where a 5-year Payment Period is selected.

CPI Rate Increase

Can now be chosen with Income Insurance.

This allows your clients’ Cover to reflect their income increasing as a result of CPI – it’s important to ensure client’s aren’t over-insured as a result.

Waiting Period 

We’ve updated the terms of our Waiting Period so if a client works during the Waiting Period, those days will no longer extend the Waiting Period. Further, if your client has a 30, 60 or 90-day Waiting Period and remains at least Partially Disabled, the Waiting Period will not restart if they return to work during the Waiting Period.

Blue Collar Occupation Class

Clients who are aged 18-55 and in a Blue Collar Occupation class can now select a To Age 65 Payment Period.

A refresh of our Income Insurance Cover

In addition to the above features, our Income Insurance Cover provides choice and flexibility for you to tailor the product to your clients’ needs. Here’s some of the key features:

  • Customise policies across the Income Replacement Ratio (IRR), Waiting Period and Payment Period.
  • One Pre-Disability Income definition for all eligible occupations and expiry ages.

We’ve also taken a stand on archaic fees

Life insurance should be affordable and accessible – which is critically important to most everyday Australians. So, with us, you’ll experience:

  • No loading for monthly insurance premiums;
  • A 2-year base premium rate guarantee;
  • No cross-subsidise of our products; and
  • No policy fees.

A hybrid Retail Distribution model to support you

Our recently launched hybrid Retail Distribution model is designed to provide greater efficiency and support for our growing number of Partners across the country. It ensures a coordinated and nationally consistent approach across the team and all associated activities. By introducing this new distribution model, we’ll have greater flexibility on how we interact and operate with Partners – a reflection of the changing environment in which everyone now lives and works.

What happens now?

These improved Income Insurance features are available for new quotes from 11 April 2022. For more information, check out our Supplementary PDS or get in touch with your Integrity Life Business Development rep at sales@integritylife.com.au  

Integrity Life

Integrity Life

From the newsroom

How to be more productive in a new hybrid work environment.

How to be more productive in a new hybrid work environment.

How to be more productive in a new hybrid work environment.

After more than a year of working from home, Australian businesses and workers are now considering what the workplace will look like in 2022. Some are debating whether employees will be compelled to return to the workplace, given a choice to work from home permanently, or allowed to adopt a hybrid method that incorporates both.

Several businesses have chosen to invite workers back into the office, allowing them to establish hybrid work arrangements that enable people to work remotely (at least part-time).

But while having two separate workspaces one in the office and another at home – has its advantages, it also has its drawbacks. So, how can you maintain the same level of enthusiasm and productivity when working in two spaces? And how can you keep organised and guarantee that you always have access to everything you need to ensure you’re working both comfortably and productively, whilst having a work-life balance?

Creating a productive hybrid work environment

Here are some tips for navigating the hybrid work-from-home landscape as seamlessly as possible in 2022.

1. Set up your home office in the same way you do at work. 

Your workstation should feel comfortable, relaxed, and natural no matter where you are. Making the different work areas as similar as possible—especially in terms of organisation and ergonomics—is just one way of reducing the friction of managing multiple workplaces. Our brains benefit from consistency and familiarity because they help us focus on the essentials.

Our top things that everyone should have on their desk:

    • Headphones (ideally noise-cancelling ones);
    • A universal charging station for all your devices;
    • Backup storage (flash drives);
    • An organiser for your office supplies (paper, pens, etc);
    • A task lamp (for the night owls); and
    • Framed photos of your kids, pets, or friends.

2. Make yourself accountable. 

While working from home has it’s benefits, frequent Zoom meetings can be very overwhelming and even stressful at times. To avoid burnout and missing any valuable information from your client meetings, consider recording your calls – it also helps for compliance purposes. It can save you time and adds an extra benefit for your client – their own personal recording to listen to your advice at any time. Just remember to ask permission before you press the Record button!

 

3. Make technology work for you. 

Integrity Life’s award-winning Adviser Portal allows Advisers to quote and apply for insurance with ease. Client authorities and declarations are done online, as are the offer and acceptance of Revised Terms.

This means no wet signatures are required during the application process, with the exception of Binding Beneficiary Nominations when taking out insurance within Integrity’s Here for You Super Plan.

You also have the option to send the Personal Statement to your clients via the Adviser Portal so they can complete it in their own time. We’ll let you know when the information has been completed so you can check it and submit the application. While we know this isn’t a solution for everyone, it can work for some clients. We’ve found that around 50% of our Advisers use this feature in 40% of cases and experience a 100% completion rate. This is (in part) because we do all the follow-up to ensure the forms are completed and because extensive user-testing means the forms are simple and easy for clients to complete.

 

4. Go for a hybrid approach to engage and secure new clients. 

While some clients still prefer in-person meetings, others may be unwilling to attend due to physical distance constraints and potential health hazards. Set goals in deciding on the right meeting format according to your client’s preference and plan a hybrid approach to meet your client’s expectations.

Lastly, engage your potential clients by employing low-cost digital marketing strategies to direct these opportunities to you. A simple email marketing funnel or a sequence of emails sent on a predefined schedule to your potential client leads might help keep them engaged. Use this opportunity to give your clients an update on what’s happening in the industry and how it can impact them, including the changes made to  Income Insurance products.

Because the pandemic has changed many customers’ perspectives on where they’ll live and work in the next five years and how near they feel they need to be to their Advisers, Advisers should consider digital solutions to attract and maintain clients.

Most individuals are unfamiliar with hybrid work, so keep experimenting with your ways of working.

So, why not give some of these strategies a try?

Integrity Life

Integrity Life

From the newsroom

Your questions answered on Income Insurance.

Your questions answered on Income Insurance.

Your questions answered on Income Insurance.

1. Why has Income Insurance changed?
APRA requires all Individual Disability Income Insurance policies be reviewed with product design features implemented where there is:

  • Requirement to significantly improve sustainability
  • An increased focus on return to work. This is being addressed through reduced income replacement ratios combined with greater emphasis on rehabilitation and retraining initiatives
  • Enhanced product controls for long term benefit periods; and
  • Mechanism to update product terms.

Integrity has always acted in a way that ensures the long-term sustainability of our products, our business and our industry.

2. What are the key differences between the October 1 Income Insurance product, and your previous one?
We have designed our product to have as much flexibility as possible so that Advisers can tailor it to suit the specific needs of their clients.

Income Insurance
Pre-October
Post-October
Total Disability and Partial Disability Definitions
Multi-tier definition.
One definition.
Income Replacement Ratio (IRR)
75%
A choice of IRRs being 70% IRR, 60% IRR and 50% IRR + an option to ‘Top Up’ the Total Disability where the 50% IRR or 60% IRR are chosen.
Choice of Features
Built-in features such as CPI Rate Increase and Claims Indexation.
Ability to customise cover to the needs of clients with three costed options, being the Claim Benefit Indexation option, Super Contribution Cover option and Total Disability Top Up option.

3. What are your Total Disability and Partial Disability Definitions? Why have the Totally Disability and Partial Disability definitions changed?
Integrity Life has always been committed to supporting rehabilitation and retraining. Our new definitions support claimants on their return-to-work journey and offer greater certainty on how they may meet the definition of Total Disability or Partial Disability.

For the first 24 months of a claim, we will assess Total Disability as inability of the Life Insured to perform their Occupation. Beyond the first 24 months of a claim, Total Disability is assessed as the Life Insured’s inability to undertake Suitable Work which they are reasonably suited by way of education, training or experience.

Total Disability within the initial 24 months of Total Disability, solely as result of a sickness or injury, the Life Insured is:

  • not working in their Occupation and does not have Work Capacity to undertake Suitable Work; and
  • under the regular care and following the advice of a Medical Practitioner in relation to the sickness or injury causing Total Disability; and
  • meeting the requirements of their Recovery Management Plan.

Total Disability where the Life Insured has been Totally disabled for 24 months or more, Total Disability solely as result of a sickness or injury, the Life Insured is:

  • not working in their Occupation or in any other occupation for which they are reasonably suited by way of education, training or experience, and they do not have the Work Capacity to undertake Suitable Work; and
  • under the regular care and following the advice of a Medical Practitioner in relation to the sickness or injury causing Total Disability; and
  • meeting the requirements of their Recovery Management Plan.

Partial Disability Solely due to sickness or injury the Life Insured is:

  • not working to their full work capacity in Suitable Work; and
  • working to full Work Capacity for less than 32 hours per week in Suitable Work; and
  • earning Monthly Earnings of less than 80% of their Pre-Disability Income; and
  • under the regular care and following the advice of a Medical Practitioner in relation to the sickness or injury which caused Partial Disability;
  • is no longer able to earn their Pre-Disability Income solely as a result of a sickness or injury; and
  • meeting the requirements of their Recovery Management Plan.

Suitable Work at claim inception relates to the claimant’s regular occupation prior to disablement.

If you are not working to your full Work Capacity, partial disablement is determined based on your Work Capacity assessed by us.

4. How will income be assessed?
Income will be assessed based on three components: Earned Income, Passive Income and Unaffected Business Income. For the definition of each of these components, refer to Integrity’s Here for You PDS.

In the event of a claim, we’ll take the average Monthly Earnings for the 12 months immediately prior to the date the insured became ill or injured. However, if the insured’s income is subject to material monthly or seasonal variation and has varied by 20% or more in the 36 months prior to becoming ill or injured, we’ll take the average Monthly Earnings for the 36 months.

5. What are the key benefits of the Integrity product?
In designing our 1 October Income Insurance product, we consulted with Advisers and Licensees as part of our ‘Listen, Learn, Act’ framework and the key element they asked for was flexibility in the product design. As such, our 1 October Income Insurance product offers choice across Income Replacement Ratio, Waiting Period, and Payment Period. This allows Advisers to customise the product so that provides for their client’s best interests.

The product also provides the option of a Total Disability Top Up option which is available with selected Income Replacement Ratios (50% and 60% IRRs). When selected, we will increase the Total Disability monthly benefit for a maximum of six months for any one claim.

In addition to this, from 6 September 2021, we have removed premium loadings for policies paid monthly. These range from around 7-8% in additional premium loading across the industry.

6. Where a 1 year or 2 year Waiting Period is chosen, why does Integrity Life require cover to be in place with an equivalent benefit period?
Where a client chooses a 1- or 2-year Waiting Period, we now require them to have an income protection policy in place with Integrity or another insurer with a benefit period equivalent to the chosen Waiting Period. This requirement ensures that should they lodge a claim, the client has been undergoing rehabilitation, retraining and other return-to-work initiatives during the timeframe.

7. Why is the Superannuation Contribution Cover now capped at 10%?
Our Income Insurance design seeks to ensure the claim benefit paid does not exceed the financial loss suffered. In the case of superannuation, this meant aligning the maximum insurable amount with the government-mandated amount of superannuation contribution. The superannuation guarantee is currently 10%.

8. Why does the Top Up apply to Total Disability and not Partial Disability?
The Top-Up option is designed to top up the Total Disability benefit in the initial 6 months where a claim is being paid for Total Disability, as there is an increased level of costs associated with the Total Disability. The Total Disability Top Up option will not be payable where a claimant is Partially Disabled as they will continue to receive an income.

9. How does the Total Disability monthly Top Up option work?
If a customer selects the Total Disability monthly Top Up option and becomes Totally Disabled, during the first 6 months of claim, the monthly benefit will be “topped up” in accordance with their selected IRR as follows:

IRR Top-up amount
70% Not available.
60%
  • The monthly benefit will increase by 16.67% subject to a maximum Income Replacement Ratio of 70%.
  • Where the IRR 60% has been chosen and the Total Disability monthly benefit payable in a month is $6,000 (from Pre-Disability Income of $10,000 per month), the Total Disability Top Up benefit would be $1,000 – so it tops up the total benefit payable in that month to $7,000.
50%
  • The monthly benefit will increase by 20% subject to a maximum Income Replacement Ratio of 60%.
  • For example, where the IRR 50% has been chosen and the Total Disability monthly benefit payable in a month is $5,000 (from Pre-Disability Income of $10,000 per month), the Total Disability Top Up benefit would be $1,000 – so it tops up the total benefit payable in that month to $6,000.

10. After October 1, 2021, can someone with an existing Income Insurance product change to the new Income Insurance product without the need for underwriting?
Yes, providing there is no increase in risk – meaning the Payment Period, Waiting Period or Cover Amount do not increase at the time the change occurs. We will require confirmation of income at the time of the change is requested.

11. Are there any new considerations to the role of Total and Permanent Disability Cover and Critical Illness Cover in light of the new Income Insurance product?
The changes to Income Insurance cover in many ways help clarify the role of the various cover types. For example, Income Insurance is a temporary measure to help clients keep their households ‘running’ while ill or injured and unable to work (eg: ensuring bills are paid and day to day expenses are taken care of). On the other hand, the lump sum covers are designed to support clients adjusting to a new normal and cover material, and unexpected medical costs.

To support Advisers in meeting the needs of their clients, we have created this short article on “Income Insurance product structuring with lump sum cover post October 1.”

12. How does Integrity support clients in returning to work?
Our Claims teamwork with claimants and their Medical Practitioners to create personalised Recovery Management Plans, drawing from the expertise and skills of third-party rehabilitation providers. We help get someone on claim back to work through connecting them with the right rehabilitation and recovery support. You can read more about our Claims Philosophy here “Return to work, return to wellness”.

13. If a client needs to make a claim, what do I need to know about the new product to assist them?
Our Claims Philosophy and approach has not changed with the introduction of the new Income Insurance product. Our Claims team continue to approach claims with a customer-centric mindset, working with claimants and rehabilitation and retraining providers to reach the best outcome, appropriate to their conditions and needs. You can read more about our approach to claims here or for information on how to submit a claim you can check out our Adviser Guide.

14. Will Integrity Life’s approach to rehabilitation and retraining change?
No. Integrity has always been committed to supporting rehabilitation and retraining and we continue to help claimants on their return-to-work journey. We will work with the life insured, their medical practitioner and rehabilitation providers to jointly agree on a Recovery Management Plan to assist the life insured in returning to work.

15. What are the transition rules and dates?
For current Income Insurance products (pre-1 October):

  • Apps must be submitted by 30 September 2021.
  • Submitted apps have until 28 February 2022 to be placed In Force.

Post 1 October 2021: All inflight quotes and apps (not submitted) will be subject to the Income Insurance product available from 1 October 2021.

16. What will happen to my existing Income Insurance policy and what changes can I make?
In permitting changes to be made to Income Insurance Cover which was applied for prior to 1 October 2021, Integrity will follow guidance provided to insurers by APRA.
For policies applied for prior to 1 October 2021 which include Agreed Value or Indemnity Income Insurance Cover, the following changes are permitted from 1 October 2021:

  • Decreases to Cover.
  • Increases where underwriting is required;
  • CPI Rate increases;
  • Easy Increases for Life Events where Underwriting is required;
  • Changes to Premium, such as moving from Level Premium to Stepped and Stepped Premium to Level;
  • Change of ownership; and
  • Splitting Income Insurance.

Integrity may also reissue an Agreed Value, Indemnity 12 months and Indemnity 3 years contract which was issued prior to 1 October 2021 for administrative reasons.

The changes listed are permitted as at 28 September 2021, per guidance from APRA.

17. Have there been any other changes to Integrity’s Here for You?
Yes! From 1 October 2021, clients will be able to purchase stand-alone TPD Cover inside superannuation, meaning the superannuation Trustee is the owner of the TPD Cover policy, and the TPD Cover does not need to be purchased with any other Cover type.

Also, where a policy is held within super through Integrity’s Here for You Super Plan, your clients will have the option to pay their premium through annual contributions, complementing the existing payment methods of monthly contributions and annual rollovers.

18. Have there been any changes to Medical Definitions?
No. Our medical definitions were reviewed and updated in April 2021.

19. Why has Duty of Disclosure changed to ‘Duty to take reasonable care’?
For all consumer insurance contracts, the ‘Duty of Disclosure” has been replaced by the ‘Duty to take reasonable care not to make a misrepresentation’. This effectively shifts the onus onto the insurer to ask for all the information required to assess whether they will insure a risk and if so, at what price.

20. How does the exclusion relating to a client being disqualified or deregistered from their usual Occupation operate?
We won’t pay a benefit where a person has been disqualified or restricted from performing the duties of their usual Occupation by their relevant professional association or a government body due to their conduct.

If the disqualification or deregistration is because of illness or injury, then a benefit may be payable.

21. How do you assess passive income?
All income earned is assessed in determining the monthly benefit, with total annual income used to determine the appropriate income bracket for the relevant IRR.

Where Passive Income exists, the net amount is added to earned income to derive total annual income, then subtracted to obtain Pre-Disability Income and the monthly benefit.

Example 1 – 60% IRR
Example 2 – 60% IRR
Annual income
$150,000
$150,000
Passive Income (PI)
$0.00
$50,000
Total annual income
$150,000
$200,000
Annual benefit as per relevant bracket
$90,000
$120,000
Less Passive Income
$0,000
$50,000
Total PDI
$90,000
$70,000
Monthly benefit
$7,500
$5,833
Effective IRR
60%
47%

 

Integrity Life

Integrity Life

From the newsroom