Protection watch...with Kevin Carr (November 2013)

1 Make it your own Aviva will underwrite all individual income protection policies on an ‘own occupation‘ basis, which is to be welcomed. Insurers use various definitions for being unable to work (such as ‘own' and ‘suited'), but problems arise with other ‘list based' definitions. These definitions, which should be avoided wherever possible, rely on a list of tasks the policyholder must be unable to complete. Advisers should take a look at insurers' declined lists too - the occupations automatically declined cover - as these will no doubt expand as a consequence. It is also possible we'll...