24th June 2025

The 12 insurers that met the criteria were Beagle Street, Cirencester Friendly, Guardian, Holloway Friendly, HSBC Life, Legal & General, LV=, National Friendly, Royal London, Scottish Widows, Shepherds Friendly and The Exeter.

Beagle Street, Legal & General, LV=, National Friendly, Scottish Widows and The Exeter were the new signatories this year.

Life claims payments have been a key focus of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) since November, when it demanded significant improvements, with many insurers failing to meet performance levels, and called for industry-wide approaches to tackle common concerns.

Last week, FCA director of insurance Matt Brewis explained the regulator was working with insurers and the government to explore quicker ways of finding out that somebody has passed away to speed up claims.

 

‘Insurers working incredibly hard’

Emma Thomson, vice chairperson of the PDG (pictured), told Health & Protection that the increase in insurers meeting the charter “has been fantastic to see” and acknowledged that even those who had not made it had improved.

“In total we had eight last year, but obviously only six were open to business, so we’ve got six insurers that didn’t make the charter last year now making it, which is fantastic,” she said.

“The insurers have been working incredibly hard, but we know the charter is one element that’s encouraged them to make those improvements and invest in their claims experiences."

“That’s something we are really proud of with the charter.”

Last year, the charter was updated to introduce two new criteria relating to the maximum time taken to assess both claims forms and medical evidence once received, at three and five working days, respectively.

This followed advisers raising concerns about the time taken to assess claims.

As a result, the number of insurers meeting this declined to eight, two of which included the Aegon and AIG brands, which have closed to new business.

But with 12 insurers this year, that number has effectively doubled.

She noted, “We have had more before, but we changed the criteria.”

 

More to come

But Thompson hopes that there will be even more signatories before the end of the year.

She said, “We saw a marked improvement across the board – so even those that haven’t made it, we still recognise that improvements have been made – which is why I’m really confident that we will see some others be added before the year is out."

“I’m really hopeful for two more, because they were very close indeed,” she added.

Although the number of signatories has effectively doubled since last year, the number had been higher in the past, but Thomson is adamant the charter should be used to keep driving higher standards.

Thomson said, “We have had more. Before we changed the criteria, we had pretty much every insurer out there."

“We possibly had 14 or 15 at the peak, but last year shook things up a little bit."

“That was the right thing to do – the purpose of a charter is to raise standards and to continue to raise standards and continue to raise standards."

“So that's why it needed to evolve as the market requirements evolved."

“And while changing the criteria last year, a lot of insurers lost their status – it's demonstrated what can be achieved."

“The insurers should be very proud of the achievements that they’ve made in the last 12 months.“

 

Assessment times improved

The PDG said it was impressed there had been widespread improvement by insurers regarding the time taken to assess claims compared to last year’s results.

It added that even where charter status had not been achieved, for some firms it had been only by a slight margin.

The Claims Charter was introduced in 2018 to improve outcomes for claimants by raising basic levels of best practice undertaken by insurers.

The charter sets out a number of criteria which must be met before an insurer can become a signatory.

Thomson added: “We have been engaging closely with a number of insurers on the time to assess claims and know how much additional investment and time has been put into this most important aspect of our industry to raise standards."

“All insurers have demonstrated through the survey some wonderful work they’re doing to support claimants, and it was really heartening to see a significant improvement in the time to assess claims, even by those who haven’t quite managed charter status.”

First appeared: https://healthcareandprotection.com/pdg-names-12-insurers-to-meet-claims-charter-with-hopes-of-two-more/

Latest Press Releases

National Friendly adds Toothfairy dental support to Friendly Shield

21/07/2025

Powered by Toothfairy, the health-regulated smart dental app is designed by dentists, and operated in partnership with UK dental professionals…

National Friendly marks the first anniversary of Friendly Shield by adding Friendly Dentist+ dental support for all new members

21/07/2025

To celebrate one year since the launch of Friendly Shield, National Friendly has enhanced its essential protection product by including…

National Friendly adds dental support

21/07/2025

Provider National Friendly has launched Friendly Dentist+ as a benefit within its Friendly Shield product, available for new members.

National Friendly adds dental benefits to Friendly Shield offering

21/07/2025

National Friendly has announced the addition of Friendly Dentist+ to its ‘Friendly Shield’ product. Powered by Toothfairy, Friendly Dentist+ delivers…

National Friendly launches Cover the Country campaign

11/07/2025

Provider National Friendly has launched its Cover the Country campaign to encourage advisers to engage in the mutual’s product range.

National Friendly launches ‘Cover the Country’ income protection campaign

11/07/2025

The ‘Cover the Country’ campaign, which runs in the lead up to Income Protection Action Week (IPAW) in September, encourages…

Meeting real-life needs with real protection: Rethinking IP for a new generation

30/06/2025

With increasing numbers of self-employed and gig workers and with clients facing unique financial pressures, the protection industry must move…

PDG announces signatories to the Claims Charter for 2025

24/06/2025

As of 2024, the Protection Distributors Group’s (PDG) Claims Charter requires prospective signatories to assess claims forms within three working…

PDG names insurers meeting 2025 Claims Charter standard

24/06/2025

The insurers are Cirencester Friendly, The Exeter, Holloway Friendly, Guardian, HSBC Life, Legal & General, LV=, National Friendly, Beagle Street,…

PDG names 12 insurers in 2025 Claims Charter

24/06/2025

Following an assessment of how insurers support customers during the claims process, PDG confirmed that National Friendly, Cirencester Friendly, The…

PDG reveals Claims Charter signatories for 2025

24/06/2025

The Protection Distributors Group (PDG) has revealed the list of provider signatories for its Claims Charter for 2025, with 12…

National Friendly launches 24/7 virtual GP service

09/06/2025

National Friendly, a longstanding mutual society with its headquarters in Bristol, has introduced a new healthcare product designed to make…

“Sometimes met with scepticism”: Is Accident Only Income Protection a real product?

27/05/2025

Income protection, and the safety net it provides for those unable to work due to ill health or injury, is…

New national account manager for National Friendly

23/05/2025

Provider, National Friendly, has announced two appointments this week, a new national account manager and chief marketing officer. David Morris…

National Friendly appoints chief marketing officer and recruits national account manager

22/05/2025

"We’re building momentum with products, partnerships, and people who share our values – and who want to push the market…

National Friendly boosts leadership with two hires

22/05/2025

Sally Waterfield has been promoted to Chief Marketing Officer, while David Morris joins as National Account Manager.

National Friendly appoints chief marketing officer and national account manager

22/05/2025

National Friendly has promoted Sally Waterfield (pictured, left) to Chief Marketing Officer, adding her to the executive team. Waterfield joined…

Key health checks and screenings by age: Stay on top of your health at every stage

21/05/2025

In this guide, we’ve laid out the key health checks to think about at every age. We’ll explain what each…

Protecting the rent

20/05/2025

Cameron Roberts, Editor, COVER, discusses how the protection and health industry must change its approach to address the rising financial…

“This means improved clarity for the product”: National Friendly updates hazardous pursuits underwriting

19/05/2025

"This means improved clarity for the product, simpler and faster conversations between advisers and customers, as well as a journey…

National Friendly reports mental health decline amongst those involved in everyday accidents

08/05/2025

Of those surveyed (2,000), 29% had experienced an accident in the last three years - frequency was higher (37%) amongst…

A growing protection market is a win-win for UK plc and the nation’s wellbeing – analysis

24/04/2025

Progress has been made in turning around protection market sales, and the latest quarterly data has shown increased demand for…

Rosemount Financial Solutions (IFA) celebrates successful peer group event

19/03/2025

Rosemount Financial Solutions (IFA), the mortgage, protection and financial planning network, has held its first Peer Group event of 2025.…

Increase in Income Protection sales for National Friendly

18/02/2025

Provide National Friendly has reported growth across 2024 for both its income protection and accident only income protection policies.

National Friendly doubles sales, boosts adviser engagement in 2024

18/02/2025

National Friendly reported strong growth in 2024, with sales of income protection and accident only income protection policies seeing significant…

National Friendly reports rise in income protection sales

18/02/2025

National Friendly has reported a substantial increase in sales of its income protection and accident only income protection policies.

Young and wealthy driving demand for individual PMI ahead of NHS turnaround – analysis

13/02/2025

With the number of people awaiting NHS treatment staying stubbornly above seven million people, demand for individual private medical insurance…

Falls at home represent the most common type of accident

21/01/2025

Research by National Friendly has found that the most common type of accident for UK adults is a fall at…
Adviser Member News Insights Health National Friendly

Younger adults more at risk from everyday accidents – National Friendly

21/01/2025

While a third of UK adults have experienced a serious accident in the last three years, younger people in particular…

National Friendly adds sickness cover to Friendly Shield

15/01/2025

Mutual society National Friendly has added optional sickness cover to its non-underwritten product, Friendly Shield.
National Friendly Protection Member Adviser Health Life News

National Friendly adds sickness cover option to Friendly Shield

15/01/2025

National Friendly has added an option to include sickness cover to its Friendly Shield product.