Wiltshire Friendly paid out 99.20% of all submitted income protection claims in 2012, the mutual's highest reported level over the past 4 years.
The small proportion of declined claims were, Wiltshire said, on account of claims being submitted for an excluded medical condition or when the member was still in receipt of continuing income from their employer.
The Society has now paid an average of 98.40% of all submitted claims over the past 3 years and only 1 Income Protection case has been referred to the Financial Ombudsman Service in the past 7 years.
John Sanders, chief executive at Wiltshire Friendly, commented: "Our members are paying for cover to be in place to meet their needs and we must ensure that at times of crisis we exceed their expectations and support them when they need us most.
"The initial underwriting process, which incorporates tele-interviewing, helps to ensure we understand the risk being presented and then allows for swift payment of claims."
As the Society provides cover to a significant number of blue collar self-employed trades, the largest proportion of claims received were for injuries to arms, legs or hands, followed by back problems.
John Sanders summarised "The well above average claims payment record combined with fast payment and the strong terms and conditions of the new individual income protection plan should provide Financial Advisers with a good degree of confidence on which to base their recommendation."
