Legal & General have changed their underwriting criteria for taking out life insurance and critical illness cover, making it quicker and easier to take out the cover.

For applicants under 40 wanting critical illness cover, GP reports will not be routinely asked for unless the sum insured is more than £600,000.

Equally for these applicants for life insurance a GP report won’t automatically be requested unless the sum assured is over £1 million.

With fewer reports required from GPs, this will reduce delays in the application process.

Underwriting and Claims Director for Protection, Russ Whitworth, commented ‘for people under 50, GP reports are no longer the first piece of medical evidence that we will look for, instead focussing on nurse screening examinations, which take up less time.’

He added ‘Less time spent underwriting means that advisers have more control and people can start their policies quicker.’

You may find our articles on Life insurance and critical illness cover helpful as these can be difficult subjects to get to grips with.