The accident & sickness cover requires GP rather than consultant sign-off for all types of claims.
Income protection provider Best Insurance has launched InstaProtect – a short-term accident, sickness and unemployment (ASU) policy with no exclusion periods and simplified medical underwriting terms.
It is the first policy to withdraw the 90-120 days initial exclusion period.
The accident & sickness cover requires GP rather than consultant sign-off for all types of claims.
Kesh Thukaram, director of Best Insurance, said: “Insurers have become lazy and fail to meet customer expectations; offering cover to suit them rather than the people it’s intended for. Workers have instant cover when they buy home, motor, pet and travel insurance, so why not with ASU?
“Similarly why should people who are signed off sick have to wait months for a consultant appointment, when their GP could confirm the illness? Long NHS appointment wait times unnecessarily hold up claims payments and I am keen to address this along with needless shareholder small print.”
The policy's maximum benefit is 60% of gross income or £2,000, payable for 12 months. The policy also has a critical illness element, making a one-off £2,500 payment to claimants who develop a qualifying condition.
It is widely available provided people have paid their Class 1 National Insurance contributions and work for more than 16 hours per week or 70 hours per month.
Policyholders must be aged between 18 and 55 with no major ailments who have been permanently employed for 12 months.
