Updates to underwriting guidelines in response to COVID-19
Temporary Changes to Life Insurance Underwriting Guidelines
Due to the ongoing spread of COVID-19, we are implementing the following temporary changes to our life insurance underwriting guidelines effective April 15, 2020. Note that these temporary changes apply to fully underwritten applications and do not apply to applicants who are approved for instant issue of simplified issue life insurance, including single payment whole life or Executive Benefit life products approved on a guaranteed issue basis.
Age and rating limitations:
- We will postpone coverage on individuals who are age 80 and above.
- Ages 70-79: Applicants must qualify for Standard rating or better and have no significant underlying medical condition or treatment that makes them more susceptible to COVID-19 death. *
- Ages 60-69: Applicants must qualify for Table 4 rating or better and have no significant underlying medical condition or treatment that makes them more susceptible to COVID-19 death. *
- Ages 0-59: Protective will consider applicants with all medical impairments through Table 4. Applicants rated over Table 4 will be considered on a case-by-case basis if the individual has no significant underlying medical condition or treatment that makes him or her more susceptible to COVID-19 death. *
- * The medical conditions and treatments referred to above include, but are not limited to:
- Heart disease
- Significant cancer in the last 10 years
- Diabetes
- Pulmonary disease (COPD, Asthma, etc.)
- Autoimmune or Immunosuppressive Disease
- Any medication that causes immunosuppression (Biologic, Prednisone/Steroid, Methotrexate, etc.)
These temporary changes apply to all new or pending cases with no final underwriting offer or outstanding underwriting requirements. They do not apply to issued or approved cases that are awaiting policy issue requirements, including a Statement of Health.
Statement of Health:
All fully underwritten coverage approved on any applicant, regardless of age or face amount, will require a Statement of Health to be signed on delivery. This includes applicants who are not approved for instant issue of simplified issue life insurance or single payment whole life.
Cash with Application
Effective March 26, 2020 we will no longer accept cash with application to bind coverage under the Temporary Insurance Agreement in the states of California and Kansas. Any premium submitted with California or Kansas applications as of this date will be returned. (This requirement does not apply to applicants who are approved for instant issue of simplified issue life insurance, including single payment whole life. In these cases, we will return any submitted premium if the case requires full underwriting.)
Paramedical exam vendors and Attending Physician Statements
Our exam vendors are continuing to follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and are taking extra precautions to protect themselves and our applicants. If there are examiner restrictions in your area, or an applicant is uncomfortable proceeding, we will work to keep the application in a pending status until restrictions are lifted or the applicant feels more comfortable.
We will not routinely waive exam requirements. However, we will review a fully-completed nonmedical (Part 1A) and recent medical records that include current labs and substantial evidence of insurability to determine if they can be utilized in place of an exam or lab requirement. Our ability to make a substitution will be determined on a case-by-case basis and will be based on the veracity of the medical records provided. Please note: At a minimum, we will need a current nonmedical (Part 1A) and medical records to make any assessment.
In addition, we’re aware that state restrictions and health care priorities are affecting Attending Physician Statement (APS) turnaround times in some areas. We are monitoring the impact on the APS retrieval process. We are assessing each case and will use alternative sources to medical records whenever possible.
Travel policy
Due to the U.S. Department of State’s unprecedented worldwide Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory, we will postpone coverage on newly-submitted or pending applications for any individual recently returned from international travel for a period of 30 days following his or her return. In addition, we will postpone coverage on newly-submitted or pending applications for individuals with any planned travel outside the U.S.
In the event the customer cannot continue with the underwriting process, please use the guidelines below for the expiration of underwriting requirements:
Expiration of Underwriting Requirements
| Document/Test |
Age 0-70 |
Age 71+ |
| Application |
1 year |
6 months |
| Phone Interview |
1 year |
6 months |
| Exam/Labs |
1 year |
6 months |
| MCAS/LDCT |
1 year |
6 months |
| EKG |
1 year |
1 year |
| Inspection Report |
1 year |
1 year |