Ellipse has made changes to its handling of claims under group life contracts which it says should result in ‘speedier' settling of claims for bereaved families.
The claim form can now be downloaded direct from the Ellipse website, then completed and returned by email without the need for a ‘wet' signature.
In addition, the death certificates will now not normally be required to verify that the death has occurred. Instead, reference will be made to the online Register of Deaths.
Both improvements should result in the speedier settling of claims, Ellipse said.
Sian Valler, claims specialist at Ellipse said: "The benefits we pay often represent the main source of financial support for bereaved families and it is essential that there is no delay in a claim being submitted, approved and paid.
"By having a form that can be completed and submitted electronically and not needing to wait for death certificates, which may not be available for a few days, we have removed two of the most common causes of delay."
Valler added that Ellipse also encouraged clients to ensure they had structures in place to receive and distribute benefits to avoid any other delays.
Valler said: "They should have trusts and trustee bank accounts in full readiness to receive and pass on our payments. Delays arise surprisingly often because no bank account has been set up before a claim occurs or trustees have moved on without being replaced.
"There is a lot to be said for using the Master Trusts, overseen by professional trustee companies that we and other group risk insurers offer to avoid these problems.
"And last but not least, all members of group life schemes should be encouraged to nominate their preferred beneficiaries and periodically review these nominations. They provide a valuable steer to trustees and can save otherwise protracted investigations to establish a deceased member's dependants."
