AMP marketing and distribution general manager Blair Vernon said the tele-interviewing tool, called Easy Write, was reasonably common in other markets but is new to New Zealand.

He said the tool was developed in reaction to the growing complexity of medical information required for clients' personal statements, and aimed to free up advisers' time and provide clients with greater certainty around their cover.

Vernon said it also has the benefit, in the new regulatory regime, of providing more certainty to the adviser.

Vernon said the way the system works is an adviser talks to the client about their insurance needs, ascertains their financial planning goals - including risk cover- examines and presents options which they agree on.

"But when it gets to the actual component of the personal statement they facilitate an appointment with one of the tele-underwriters who then calls the client at a time pre-determined by them. We then have a specialist underwriter who completes that statement with them on the phone."

Vernon said clients often feel uncomfortable sharing intimate medical information with an adviser, and also that an adviser may not have sufficient medical understanding to ask further, relevant questions.

He said the process had proved popular so far with AMP advisers.

"Far from replacing them it's actually freeing up their time. Many of our advisers say this is fantastic because I can see more clients now."

He said many advisers had been increasingly concerned about the time it took to complete personal statements and the increasing complexity around medical issues.

"Many of our advisers, they've said that's great that I don't have to be involved in that piece [of the process]. I don't personally add value to understanding their medical history, therefore I'd rather have someone else do that."

AMP is using staff in Australia to conduct the tele-interviews as the system was already in use there, and they can take advantage of the time difference to call New Zealand clients in the evening.

Vernon said the tool was piloted on a small group of AMP advisers before being rolled out across the whole network, and that it will soon be deployed across the AXA network.

"We're just taking it in phases to manage the deployment and make sure that we are able to take on board the feedback from advisers and clients to make sure we develop in concert with them."

He said Easy Write was the start of "substantial range of tools and technology processes that we're rolling out across both AMP and ultimately the AXA adviser network," which will, "improve tools and process systems for both advisers and clients."

"The essential goal is to save time for the adviser but also to get more certainty for the client. . . the resounding feedback I had from the advisers I worked personally with on that was it takes away the concern about disclosure risks."