Income protection: BMI is an "absolute nightmare"

“That's make or break for many customers”

Jaskeet Briah
clock • 4 min read

Jaskeet Briah speaks to protection advisers and providers about the challenges with the body mass index (BMI) measurement for income protection (IP), alternative metrics and improvements in adviser training to sell IP.

As most UK workers don't having an IP policy, the first part of this series looks at the main roadblocks within the IP application process and how to bolster accessibility within the product. BMI presents another barrier as it can prevent customers who require IP from taking out cover due to affordability or being declined, according to advisers. Hanna McKallip, protection adviser, Premier Plus and member, the Income Protection Task Force (IPTF), describes BMI as "an absolute nightmare" as the increases made to premiums are "harsh". For example, the premium for one of her clients incr...

To continue reading this article...

Join COVER for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, key trend analysis and industry insights.
  • Stay on top of the latest developments around health and wellbeing, diversity and inclusion and the cost of living crisis.
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletter.
  • Members only access to monthly programme 'The COVER Review'
  • Be the first to hear about our CPD accredited events and awards programmes.

Join now

 

Already a Cover member?

Login

More on Income Protection

Profile of an IP customer: learnings from 2024

Profile of an IP customer: learnings from 2024

Panel with the IPTF and IRESS

Cameron Roberts
clock 13 December 2024 • 1 min read
Accident victims living with long-term health issues

Accident victims living with long-term health issues

"Younger people are particularly vulnerable"

Jaskeet Briah
clock 05 December 2024 • 3 min read
Partner Insight: New Age of Income Protection

Partner Insight: New Age of Income Protection

From Love Island to loving income protection, for Gen Z income protection should be "100% my type on paper", however, also like on Love Island, this does not guarantee compatibility.

Julie Thompson, Protection Proposition Manager, Scottish Widows.
clock 03 December 2024 • 6 min read