CIExpert: Zurich no longer in the 'relegation zone' with CI plan upgrade

The insurer has also improved many claim wordings which has added greater clarity to condition definitions.

New 100% Conditions

Parkinson Plus Syndromes

Five existing stand-alone neurological conditions have been placed within the above descriptive heading. Whilst this does not extend plan coverage it adds greater clarity and falls into line with industry practice.

Spinal Stroke
Death of spinal cord tissue resulting in permanent deficit.

Devic's Disease
Definite diagnosis with 3 months continuous clinical impairment.

New Additional Payment Conditions

Zurich has followed Friends Life and AIG in adding the following seventeen in situ or early stage cancers to the four that were previously covered.

These conditions will pay the lower of £15,000 or 20% of the critical illness sum insured.

 Less Advanced Cancer Of The Anus
 Less Advanced Cancer Of The Bile Ducts
 Less Advanced Cancer Of The Cervix
 Less Advanced Cancer Of The Colon & Rectum
 Less Advanced Cancer Of The Gallbladder
 Less Advanced Cancer Of The Larynx
 Less Advanced Cancer Of The Lung & Bronchus
 Less Advanced Cancer Of The Oesophagus
 Less Advanced Cancer Of The Oral Cavity Or Oropharynx
 Less Advanced Cancer Of The Ovary
 Less Advanced Cancer Of The Pancreas
 Less Advanced Cancer Of The Renal Pelvis Or Ureter
 Less Advanced Cancer Of The Stomach
 Less Advanced Cancer Of The Uterus
 Less Advanced Cancer Of The Vagina
 Less Advanced Cancer Of The Vulva
 Other in situ cancers requiring surgery to remove the tumour
 Bladder Removal - complete removal of the bladder
 Skin Cancer - non-melanoma skin cancer which has reached a certain advanced stage
 Significant Visual Loss - vision in the better eye measured at 6/24 or less or the visual field is below 45 degrees

Important Claim Wording Alterations

Benign Brain Tumour - Cover now extended to include Partial Removal, Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy

Dementia - Now incorporates Alzheimer's disease and Pre-Senile Dementia, which were previously shown as a separate condition. 

Motor Neurone Disease - Like many insurers Zurich has stipulated specific motor neurone diseases and extended cover to include Spinal Bulbar Muscular Atrophy, which is also known as Kennedy's Disease

Parkinson's Disease - No longer limited to age 65

Pulmonary Artery Surgery - No longer requires Open-Heart Surgery

CIExpert Verdict

"Zurich was in the relegation zone but these significant changes ensure survival in the top division.

"The additional cancer coverage will provide comfort for policyholders and will also reduce the potential for a declinature where the cancer is found to not be invasive.

"Tidying up the dementia and Parkinson-linked conditions is also sensible."