Feedback leads to underwriting changes at Cigna NZ

At the time, the company also announced changes, effective September 9, to the underlying premium rates on its life, trauma, and disability cover across Assurance Extra, Business Assurance, Business Extra, and Agribusiness Extra.

Now, in a bid to make things “even easier” for advisers to expeditiously secure coverage for clients, Cigna New Zealand has put forward underwriting enhancements spanning new non-medical limits and medical code requirements.

“At Cigna New Zealand we’re committed to continuously improving our service offering to make it even easier for our customers and advisers to do business with us,” chief operating officer Debbie Eyre (pictured) told Insurance Business.

“We’re always listening to their feedback and leveraging data and insights that enable us to act on that commitment. These latest enhancements are an example of this in action.”  

According to the Kiwi business, the new limits will allow access to higher coverage levels without the need for mandatory medical information or tests. To assist advisers, Cigna New Zealand will be publishing an updated underwriting guide.

Read more: Cigna NZ “really excited about the change”

Additionally, Eyre previously noted: “We’ve also made some enhancements to our medical code requirements. Where required, customers will now have the choice between a paramedical or GP (general practitioner) medical exam.

“We’ve also removed the requirement for a specialist medical exam for customers needing a Code D medical – this can now be done by their GP.”

For the chief operating officer, constant betterment is high on the agenda.

“Ensuring we maintain and continue to enhance our service offering for our customers and the advisers we partner alongside while working through the [Chubb] transition process has been, and continues to be, a top priority for me,” Eyre told Insurance Business.

“The most important considerations have been ensuring we’re continuing to be there for our customers and advisers when they need us.”

Offering further assurances, the COO went on to state: “While our systems are being moved to Chubb behind the scenes, and our business will begin to look a little different once we complete the rebranding process, advisers and customers can be assured that they’re being looked after by the same people as they were before.”

Now active, the new limits and requirements will be applied to any new business currently in underwriting with Cigna New Zealand.