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Today in the UK: 2.2 people of working age will be off work for at least 6 months at any one time through sickness and disability

  Over 1.7 million people claiming Income Support Over 1.5 million people are claiming Jobseekers Allowance Over 2.52

 million people are claiming Incapacity Benefit Over 2.6 million people are claiming Disability Living Allowance Source Cover Magazine July 2009

A market leading short term income / mortgage protection insurance covering 'Accident Sickness or Redundancy' cover or combination of both. A comprehensive policy can provide financial peace of mind that you or your partner are unable to work due to illness, injury and due to involuntary redundancy. Policy under-written by UK Underwriting Limited behal of Fortis Insurance Ltd.

The consequences of having no income could create severe financial difficulty if you have dependants and debts.

We've all heard the most common objections to buying income protection insurances. 'Don't need it, can't afford it, and not interested' are just some. But the fact is that the highly competitive, comprehensive back to day one insurance policy can be affordable - and mitigate house-hold risk protecting you in the event of sickness and redundancy.

Many people adopt the 'super human syndrome' - it'll never happen to me'. However with DWP confirming that 2.6 million people were claiming incapacity benefit in February 2009. With the continuing uncertainty of the economy, redundancy at a all time high. Well, it certainly happens to a lot of us, and we ignore the consequences at our peril.

Loss of income can have a devastating effect on our family. Absence from work, plus the inability to often meet mortgage and other credit commitments, plus basic house-hold expenditure, is the last thing a sick or disabled person needs. Yet, many are risking it.

Common & Frequently Asked Questions

Can anyone apply for a policy?

To be eligible for cover you must be aged 18 or over and under 60, working in the UK for at least 16 hours per week and have been so for previous 6 months. You must also be permanently resident in the UK.

The policy is a Short Term Income Protection ('STIP') policy, you can be a home owner with or without a mortgage, Tenant, Sharing Property, or Living with Family.

When can I cancel ?

This is a monthly policy and you can cancel at any time.  When you cancel, the insurance protection will cease immediately. If you cancel within the initial 30 days 'cooling off period' a full refund of any premiums paid will be made to you.

Underwriting Process ?

The underwriting process will consider all details on the mortgage payment protection application form.  Experienced staff will check  that you qualify for the cover.  At times additional information may be requested, your full support is required so it can be ascertained you satisfy any policy criteria, to mitigate any problems in the event of a claim. There is no point in having an insurance policy, if you are not going to get paid in an efficient and prompt manner. So when comparing with other companies, this is a feature which you should consider with care, as most mortgage payment insurance companies do not offer such an underwriting process.

Who is the insurer?

 UK Underwriting Ltd on behalf of Ageas Insurance Ltd (rebranding of formally Fortis Insurance) is the current insurer for the insurance cover for this policy.

Ageas Insurance is the rebranded name for Fortis Insurance, that came into being in April 2000 with the integration of Bishopsgate Insurance Ltd and Northern Star Insurance Company Limited. Both companies were well established in the insurance market and the combination provided a wider choice of products for customers and consolidated Ageas commitment to the intermediary & broker channel.

Fortis holding (Fortis SA/NV and Fortis N.V.) consists of:

* A 75% stake in AG Insurance;
* Fortis Insurance International;
* A 45% stake in Royal Park Investments – an entity holding a portfolio of structured credits;
* Financial assets and liabilities linked to various financing instruments.

AG Insurance is overall market leader and a leading player in the Employee Benefits market. The international insurance activities (Fortis Insurance International) are located in the UK (where Fortis is the third largest player in the market for private car insurance), France, Hong Kong, Luxembourg (Non-Life), Germany, Turkey, Russia and Ukraine, and – through joint ventures – in Luxembourg (Life), Portugal (where Millenniumbcp Fortis is among the market leaders) China, Malaysia, India and Thailand.

Ageas / Fortis currently employs over 10,000 people

Any Free Period of Insurance Cover - No gimmicks with us?

We do NOT offer Free initial insurance cover, as invariably Free cover is an incentive to attract customers at the begiining then, once Free period finishes a higher premium in
proportion is paid for the term of of the MPPI plan. Far out weighing any iinitial savings.

Quality Service - Each policy Underwritten at application ?

We underwrite each case at outset, and tell Clients what their policy covers, and what it does not. That alleviates problems at Claims stage. When comparing us, see who else provides this quality service.


What if I have a 'self certification' mortgage?

When comparing policies, do you currently have a 'self certified' mortgage, then with competitors insurance products you will need to prove your income at point of claim. How will you achieve this is with a 'self certification' mortgage or loan, and make it difficult to make a claim or delay matters. We can help, as we have special policy to cater for such circumstances. Please contact us for further details.

What is the cost of cover?

The cost of the policy is dependent on a number of factors. These include the deferred period and amount you want to be covered for. The deferred period can be 'back to day one cover, 30 day deferred period, or 60 days deferred period. For a quote please click here.

How will I know when my cover starts ?

When buying the policy you will enter a start date for when the cover begins. The date will also be stated on your Insurance Certificate. Online application does not mean automatically you will be covered, as your details need to be reviewed by a underwriter prior to acceptance.  If, for any reason, DMS are not prepared to offer you exactly standard cover, this will be brought to your attention BEFORE ANY PREMIUMS ARE TAKEN.

What if I want to take out joint cover with my partner?

You can take out joint cover with your partner. You can then elect to split the total benefit payable in the event of a claim in relation to the amount each of you normally contributes to your monthly payment. i.e. 50/50, 60/40 etc. There is no additional charge to have an insurance policy in joint names

When does the cover end?

All cover under this policy ends automatically; when you retire or reach normal retirement age; when you die; when your mortgage ends, when you cancel your Direct Debit, or when two premiums are outstanding.

If I change my mind can I cancel this policy?

You may cancel the policy at any time.  You should write to the Scheme Administrator 'DMS' requesting the policy is cancelled and your cover will end on the date we receive your request.

How do I make a claim?

Simply call our claims line on 0845 673 999 to request a claim form, and tell us what type of claim you wish to make.

If I am self-employed, when would I be eligible to claim for unemployment?

If you are self employed and you choose to include unemployment cover on your policy, to make a claim for unemployment you must be registered as unemployed with the Department of Work and Pensions, and you must have informed Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs (HMRC) also known as 'Inland Revenue' . But please read the policy documents for fuller details. If you are not sure as a 'self employed person you can prove your income, we have a specialist policy to cater for your needs please call the Help Line we will be pleased to provide guidance so you can make an informed decision, we are here to help: tel. 0845 4860 786.

When I make a claim are there any exclusions?

There are exclusions classed as general exclusions, unemployment exclusions and disability exclusions, these are set out in the 'full policy wording'.  Any exclusions imposed specifically for you by the underwriter will be detailed in the ‘Excclusions’ section of your Certificate of Insurance.

How long can I claim for?

You can claim for up to a maximum of 12 months in respect of any one claim, but there is no limit to the number of claims you can make.

WHAT WILL THIS PLAN DO FOR ME IF I’M UNEMPLOYED THROUGH REDUNDANCY ?

It will provide the funds to make payments when you can’t - paying out when you are unemployed because your job had been made redundant.  Benefit is payable for up to 12 months, whilst you look for another job depending on deferred period selected.

WHAT WILL THIS PLAN DO FOR ME IF I’M UNEMPLOYED THROUGH SICKNESS OR ACCIDENT ?

It will provide the funds to make payments when you can’t - paying out when you are unable to work through Accident or Sickness, for up to 12 months.

WHAT COVER IS AVAILABLE ?

We offer you cover against Accident and Sickness only, Accident Sickness or Unemployment, or Unemployment only.  If you are Self Employed Unemployment cover is replaced by Bankruptcy or Cessation of Business.  If you are  a Controlling Director, by Bankruptcy or Involuntary Liquidation. Levels of insurance cover available as options in applying for accident, sickness + redundancy cover, 'back to day one' cover paid on day 31, '30 day deferred period' paid on day 61, 60 day deferred period paid on day 91
 
IS THIS INSURANCE COMPULSORY ?

No, it is entirely up to you whether or not you wish to protect your payments.

FOR HOW MUCH CAN I INSURE ?

Each of our plans has its own specific limits.  Our Quote engines, in preparing your Illustration of cover, will not allow these to be exceeded.  Our Overall limit is the lesser of £2000 per month or 50% of your gross income (net profit if you are Self Employed). Or 125% sum of your monthly payments for your mortgage, rent, life insurance, home insurance, council tax, electricity bill , gas bill, heating oil, water bill, unsecured loan (s), and credit card payments. As the policy can cover you for additional items besides your mortgage then in essence you are getting a lower premium as you are being charged MPPI rates, as opposed to more expensive premiums.

HOW QUICKLY IS THE FIRST BENEFIT PAID ?

When you have returned your claim form fully completed, and supplied any other documents required by the claims department, they will make a decision on your claim, and inform you of it within a couple of days.  If they agree your claim, and they hardly ever fail to do so as long as the Client has told the truth, the first full monthly benefit will become payable as soon as you have been out of or unable to work for thirty days, including weekends.

FOR HOW LONG IS THE ACCIDENT OR SICKNESS BENEFIT PAID ?

Until the expiry of one year from the date of the start of your claim, or until you return to work, whichever is the sooner ?

TO WHOM ARE THE CLAIM BENEFIT MONIES PAID ?

Directly to you.

HOW MANY TIMES CAN I CLAIM ?

There is no limit at all to the number of times you can claim, but obviously, only once at a time !

CAN THE PREMIUM INCREASE AFTER I COMMENCE THE PLAN ?

If the Insurer wishes to increase the premium, we must give you 30 days notice of this, and you decide whether to accept the increase or go elsewhere for your cover.  The only other thing that could change is if the Government increased Insurance Premium Tax - currently set at 5%. 

CAN THE COVER BE CANCELLED BY THE INSURER ?

Yes, but we must give you 90 days notice of this if no alternative scheme\ is being offered – reduced to 30 days if an alternative scheme is offered..

CAN I CANCEL THIS PLAN AT ANY TIME ?

Yes.

ARE THE CLAIM BENEFITS TAXABLE ?

No.

HOW DO I MAKE A CLAIM ?

Please contact the insurance scheme Administrator - DMS, they will arrange for the Claims Department to send out a claim form to you that night.

HOW QUICKLY IS A CLAIM PAID ?

As soon as you have submitted a completed claim form and any other documents requested, Claims department have agreed your claim, and you have been off or out of work for thirty days including weekends.

CAN  I CLAIM STATE BENEFITS OR STILL RECEIVE FROM MY EMPLOYER ?

Accident and Sickness Cover Only (Not Redundancy Cover) will be paid, even if you are being paid a full salary from your employer whilst being sick.   State Benefits will not preclude you from making a claim.

WHAT IS JOB CARE ?

An all inclusive client benefit to help Clients whose jobs have been made Redundant to get back into work as quickly as possible. Click below to find out more...

IF YOU SEEK HELP OR ASSISTANCE YOU CAN PHONE FOR FRIENDLY and KNOWLEABLE SUPPORT, OR REQUEST FOR A FREE CALL BACK ....

Call our  Helpline on 0845 4860 786.
 

If we are not immediately available, you specify when we should call you back, E-mail us a request to call you back, specifying when you wish us to call you.  



E-mail us a request to call you back, specifying when you wish us to call you.

When does the Direct Debit leave my account ?

When your application is accepted, you will be told the dates on which Direct Debits will collect your premiums.  You may at any time request us to change the day of the month on which your direct debit is collected.

If I have a complaint, what do I do?

If you wish to complaint you should contact the scheme administrator regards the policy issue, claims, and policy matters please contact - DMS Security Plans, Royal Mail: FREEPOST, DMS Security Plans, PO Box 2, FREEPOST SWC2489, DURSLEY.GL11 4ZZ.Telephone: 01453 547053. Or if you are not happy with the online services of Independent Financial Services (GB) please see Initial Disclosure Document for the procedure.

	Benefits Summary Table
	Short Term Income Protection Underwritten by Ageas Insurance Ltd (formerly Fortis)
	Owner Occupier, Tenant, Sharing Property, or Living with Family? You can have all these benefits:
	Income Protection at MPPI rates	Initial Exclusion Period from 60 days	Income Protection on MPPI terms
	Level Premiums AS only, ASU or U only. Back to day one, 30 or 60 days deferred	Up to £2,500 per person Monthly Benefit	Age Related Premiums ASU only Back to day one, 30 or 60 days deferred
	Accident or Sickness Claims paid IN FULL even if in receipt of full salary	Individual Underwriting at outset - no nasty surprises when claiming	No Call Centre Underwriters take calls from 9.00 am to 9.00 pm EVERY day
	Single, Joint and Double cover policies available	Choice of premium collection days 1st to 24th of each month	Initial Exclusion Period FREE TRANSFER available
	We look to pay claims, not avoid them	JobCare Service included FREE OF CHARGE Option to add JobProtect £2,000 TAX FREE Benefit	Independent Claims Company adds transparency to our Claims process
	All telephone conversations confirmed to you in writing	You can be on cover within the hour	Cessation of Business Cover for Clients running their own Business.
	Essential Income cover at affordable prices, independent not linked to any banks or building societies

NOTE: The current information supplied may change and beyond our control as determined by relevant insurers. At the inception of a policy you will be provided with full policy documentation and terms and you have 30 days to cancel if not satisfied, subject to no claims being made a full refund will be provided.