Trauma Cover Part Two: Are we thinking things through or just doing what we have always done? A riposte.

Steve Wright dissects a recent complaint against an adviser and finds the results confusing.

You might be excused for thinking that a client, with new health issues (arising since previous underwriting assessment) likely to be excluded, should never replace their policy, but is this really the case?

[OPINION] Steve Wrights asks whether advisers should recommend the "best" product and asks what is best anyway?

Opinion: Selling is essential in life insurance, but as necessary as it is, it must now be accompanied by suitable advice. We live in a new advice environment – changes are likely needed from what we did before because there are several new expectations.

[Opinion] Good record keeping is critical but there is more to take away from this reported complaint.

Steve Wright wonders whether the government's plans to use private health care facilities to reduce elective surgery waiting lists is a good idea.

Steve Wright asks; How proactive are life advisers expected to be with their existing clients? The answer is not straightforward.

Opinion: The Code requires advisers to do annual CPD (Continuing Professional 
Development).  I come across various questions from life advisers about CPD, so I thought the beginning of the year might be a good time to share my thoughts on those questions regarding CPD for giving life and health insurance advice (not that required for selling or running your business).

The shooting of US health insurance chief executive Brian Thompson has lessons for insurers.

Steve Wright asks questions about a recent FSCL decision on funeral insurance and what it means for insurance advisers.

Opinion:  In a reported complaint to her insurer and FSCL, a person apparently paid premiums totalling $37,000 over 17 years, for a funeral benefit of $10,000.  Although the complainant was paid compensation by the insurer (the basis for such compensation and its value is unknown to me) the client also made a complaint to FSCL against their adviser, who ‘sold’ them the policy in 2007!  The adviser agreed to pay $500.

[Opinion] Recent reports in Good Returns by AIA speak of the fact that many advisers are experiencing high levels of stress. Some advisers and FAPs I speak with tell me that one cause of stress and anxiety for them is uncertainty about what is expected of them when giving advice.

[Opinion] Steve Wright asks how much do life and health advisers need to know about medical conditions in order to provide suitable advice?

[Opinion] Unless you are a tax expert you should not give tax advice.  But does this mean life and health insurance advisers can simply ignore tax when it comes to giving advice?

[Opinion] Steve Wright argues it's time that health insurance claim benefits are indexed.