We know that your clients need cover as quickly as possible. That’s why, here at Scottish Widows, we’ve streamlined the manual underwriting process when medical evidence is required. As a result, only 10% of applications* require a GP report and where they’re needed, the process to a decision is faster.Here’s how we’ve improved efficiency:
- Our first port of call is often to pick up the phone to either you or your client to discuss the disclosure in more detail and see if the underwriter can gain enough information to make an immediate decision, negating the need for a GP report.
- We often use medical providers to arrange nurse screening exams which can be far quicker to arrange than obtaining a GP report.
- We’ve moved to electronic GP reports where possible, which are significantly quicker than traditional hand-written versions.
- We’ve implemented electronic targeted reports for specific conditions such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease. These shortened reports take less time to underwrite as they only include the detail we require to make a decision.
There are ways you can help speed up the process too. Where a GP report is required, we encourage you to obtain a signed and completed Access to Medical Records Form as early as possible. Always include your client’s email address and mobile phone number on the application as this allows us to send the form directly to the client to sign and return electronically.
I’d welcome the opportunity to talk to you in more detail about our underwriting process and strengths to help you demystify the underwriting process and improve efficiencies for you and your clients.