Bright Grey has now rebranded to Royal London as the mutual confirmed it would move to a single protection business bringing together ‘the best elements of the Bright Grey and Scottish Provident brands' by the end of the year.
Previously Royal London had told COVER about its intention to bring its UK intermediary protection businesses under a single brand.
Bright Grey's sister business Scottish Provident is due to start rebranding to Royal London at the end of the year, the mutual confirmed.
The rebrand includes a new income protection product with extended age ranges to suit longer working lives, improved unemployment cover that doesn't have to be linked to a mortgage.
It also will have an online ‘quote & apply' service with fewer and better targeted questions with more flexibility where either the adviser or client can complete the application online.
Meanwhile, the Bright Grey Lifestyle Plus Plan was rebranded to the Royal London Personal Menu Plan as of Friday 27th November.
Scottish Provident will also be closed to new business for critical illness policies on 31st December 2015 although the Pegasus whole of life plan will continue to be available until being rebranded as Royal London later in the year.
Debbie Kennedy, head of protection at Royal London said: "Advisers will have access to some of the best products available in the market through traditional and enhanced comparison portals.
"Our new innovative online service will be a big step forward for advisers enabling them to manage their clients' expectations pre-application with regard to costs and it reduces the chance of cases not proceeding due to ratings or other underwriting terms.
"We have achieved this by improving our customer and adviser experiences, supported by a review of our underwriting philosophy."
Ian McKenna, director of F&TRC (who was commissioned by Royal London to independently assess the changes) said:"Bright Grey and Scottish Provident have always been hugely respected brands in the protection market.
"It is great to see that in bringing the two brands together Royal London has not only chosen the best from each organisations offering, but also added to this to enhance both the product for the consumer and experience for the adviser.
"Overall these changes should help advisers provide better protection products to their clients in less time and with reduced administration."
Alan Lakey, director of CIExpert said: "Royal London is the only insurer to retain the ‘royal' insignia and this is clearly seen as a marketing tool.
"It has been noticeable that in recent years the Bright Grey policy has been favoured over Scottish Provident with the Scottish Provident critical illness products not benefiting from upgrades and being allowed to slide down the quality ladder.
"Many advisers will lament the passing of Scottish Provident as it was the leading provider of critical illness at the turn of the century before losing its status as successive owners failed to take advantage of its success."
Further reading
Royal London paid nine out of ten IP claims in 2014
Royal London protection business up 43%
Royal London admits Bright Grey and Scot Prov were 'tired' propositions
