Bright Grey and Scottish Provident have confirmed that they are reviewing income protection, aiming to "substantially" increase those offered own occupation cover.
Roger Edwards, proposition director at Bright Grey and Scottish Provident, said: "We are a good way along the line in a project to get us into the same sort of ball park as Aviva.
"The more people we can push into own occupation the better. However, these things take time, we have the reinsurers to convince and systems to change. Underwriting rules engines also need changing.
"But it is our aim to get as many people as possible into own occupation.
"Bomb disposal experts and shark tamers are probably never going to be eligible, but it is a question of going through our occupational database.
Edwards would not be drawn on a target percentage for inclusion in own occupation, saying: "Given that Aviva have in a way set the bar, now we have to get to that level. But would we aim for 96% for a perceived advantage? I don't think we want to start playing that game."
He also revealed that Bright Grey had previously attempted a move towards more own occupation: "Historically reinsurers have been reluctant. We have tried this in the past and the reinsurer in question at the time pulled out of the deal, I believe due to its head office in another country insisting.
"This was about six years ago, but once you have been in that position you have difficulty convincing internal stakeholders that now is the time to try again. But the appetite in the market for these types of move is greater than it has been before."
