Updates to underwriting guidelines in response to COVID-19
Improvements to Protective’s temporary underwriting guidelines
Protective has simplified the underwriting guidelines it introduced on April 15 in response to the spread of COVID-19. The new guidelines are listed below. These temporary changes apply to fully underwritten life insurance 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.
These revised limitations simplify the assessment for all ages. In addition, they now allow for possible coverage on applicants age 60 – 79 with underlying medical conditions by including those conditions within the risk class outlined below. For ages 0 – 59 rated greater than Table 4, we will continue to carefully consider the underlying conditions (including significant obesity).
Age and rating limitations:
- Age 80+: Postpone
- Ages 70 – 79: Must be Standard or better
- Ages 60 – 69: Must be Table 4 or better
- Ages 0 – 59: Will consider all risks through Table 4
Applicants age 0 – 59 who are rated over Table 4 will be considered on a case-by-case basis if there is no significant underlying medical condition or treatment that makes them more susceptible to COVID-19 death. These medical conditions and treatments include, but are not limited to:
- Heart disease
- Significant cancer in the last 10 years
- Obesity rated higher than Table 4
- 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.
Applications that were postponed due to our prior temporary underwriting limitations that may now be eligible for consideration within the revised guidelines may be reopened and reviewed as requested. We will not be automatically reopening cases that were previously postponed due to COVID-19 limitations.
Statement of Health:
All fully underwritten coverage approved on any applicant, regardless of age or face amount, continues to 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 heightened transmission of COVID-19 in certain countries, we will follow the U.S. Department of State’s health advisory guidance as it relates to travel during the pandemic. We will postpone coverage for any individual recently returned from travel to any country that is listed as a “Level 4: Do Not 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 to these same countries.
Expiration of Underwriting Requirements
In the event the customer cannot continue with the underwriting process, please use the guidelines below for the 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 |