Protective: Temporary Changes to Underwriting Guidelines

08-03-2021

**08/03/2021**

Effective immediately, Protective Life has revised their temporary life insurance underwriting guidelines due to the COVID-19 pandemic with the modifications below. Note that these updates apply to:

  • Fully underwritten applications (does not apply to applicants who are approved for instant issue of simplified issue live insruance, including single payment whole life or Executive Benefit life products approved on a guaranteed issue basis).
  • All new or pending cases with no final underwriting offer or outstanding underwriting requirements

Age and rating limitations:

  • Protective has reverted to pre-COVID-19 underwriting guidelines (no restrictions) for individuals who are 0-60 years of age
  • Ages 61-79: Protective will postpone coverage if individuals are rated higher than Table 4.  However, Protective can consider coverage with:
    • Evidence of completed COVID-19 vaccination (copy of vaccination card with name, vaccine batch number and dates(s) administered).
    • At least two weeks since the final injection.
    • No history of immunodeficiency, impairments requiring IVIG treatment or prednisone dependency.
  • Protective will continue to postpone coverage on individuals who are age 80 and above.

Travel

Protective has reverted to pre-COVID-19 travel guidelines based on country and case-by-case consideration.

Statement of Health

Protective will continue to require a Statement of Health be signed on delivery for all fully underwritten coverage on any applicant, regardless of age or face amount. Note that this does 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.

Cash with application

Normal pre-COVID-19 cash with application guidelines now apply.

Reconsiderations

Any formal application previously postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions can be reconsidered upon request with a new application, updated medical records and current underwriting requirements.

Note that any case previously postponed due to their temporary COVID-19 limitations may have also been postponed due to other reasons. Upon review, your underwriter will communicate whether they can accept the applicant for coverage and if additional evidence is required.

In addition, please continue to follow the normal expiration of requirements guidelines below:

Document/Test Age 0-70 Age 71+
Application 1 year 6 months
Exam 1 year 6 months
Labs 1 year 6 months
MCAS/LDCT 1 year 6 months
EKG 1 year 1 year
Inspection Report 1 year 1 year

Protective will use exam, lab and EKG requirements completed for another company as long as they are provided to Protective and do not fall outside of Expiration of Underwriting Requirements guidelines above. A completed Protective Part 1A will be required.

**04/15/2020**

Due to the ongoing spread of COVID-19, Protective is implementing the following temporary changes to their 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:

·        Protective 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.

 

Please give us a call at 1-800-792-6795 if you have any questions about these updates.