Aviva has added second opinion and practical guidance services to its critical illness products for adviser client policyholders.
New CI policyholders will now have access to independent RED ARC care advisory support provided they apply through financial advisers.
RED ARC offers telephone emotional care and guidance provided by individually-assigned trained nurse advisers and second medical opinion services sourced through NHS or private UK medical sector; families who make child CI claims will also have access to RED ARC.
The personal nurse adviser can - depending on needs - arrange specialist nurse home visits, therapy and counselling.
Paul Dalgliesh, head of protection propositions for Aviva, said: "Being diagnosed with a CI is understandably a difficult time for any family and it can be a lot to take in. When someone is first told they have a serious illness they will be faced with a whole host of new terms, not to mention new emotions.
"The chances are they won't always think of all the questions they would like to ask during their medical appointments."
He added that extra services bolted onto core policies could help consumers see the value in protection.
Chris Hulme, director at advice-firm The Clayton Hulme Partnership, said additional services such as RED ARC added another aspect to talk about in client discussions.
But he added: "It must be kept in mind that these services are not part of the contract and could be withdrawn at any time. They should be seen as a nicety and not something that you choose by.
"With critical illness it is much more about the quality of the conditions and terms involved."
