Coronavirus update
None of us have known a time quite like this. At AIG Life we’re focused on protecting the health and safety of our employees and those around us, as well as continuing to serve you; our customers, advisers and business partners. We’re following government advice and reviewing the situation daily. The company has activated its Business Continuity Plans and we’re all now working from home.
You can get in touch by phone Monday to Thursday from 9:00am - 6:00pm, or Friday 9.00am - 5:30pm, except UK bank holidays.
We’re running a limited service for postal correspondence. To help us to ensure that you still receive any important communications, please check that we have your correct email address. If you are unsure what email address you provided us with please speak to your financial adviser or contact us directly.
If you’re taking out a new policy with us, you’ll receive your new policy documents by email. We’ll be happy to change your communication preference to post when our normal service resumes.
Support and guidance from AIG Life
All AIG Life customers can have access to unlimited health and wellbeing services via Smart Health. This includes virtual GP services, 24/7, for you and your immediate family (including children up to the age of 21), at no extra charge. You can download the app here and will need your policy number to register.
We know many of you will have questions about your insurance. Here we answer some of your questions about your insurance policy:
For the latest information about coronavirus we encourage you to visit the government’s official website here.
Income protection frequently asked questions
Q: Are you accepting new applications for income protection insurance?
Yes, AIG Life remains open for business and we continue to help meet the needs of customers with both in-force and new business. A customer can apply for income protection in the UK. When they do, they should answer all application questions honestly and accurately, to the best of their knowledge and belief.
Q: Can I claim on my income protection policy if I’m self-isolating or quarantined?
Income protection is paid subject to the illness continuing beyond our defined deferred (waiting) period – which is a minimum of 4 weeks but can be up to 52 weeks. If after a period of quarantine an illness develops and goes beyond the deferred (waiting) period, we will consider a claim. All claims will be based on whether you meet the definition of disability in your policy. We would not expect coronavirus to be an extended illness in the vast majority of cases.
Q: Can I claim on my income protection policy if I am diagnosed with coronavirus and can’t go to work?
A diagnosis of coronavirus will be considered under an income protection policy. AIG Life policies are written with a minimum deferred (waiting) period of four weeks but payments can be deferred up to one year after you stop work depending on the terms of your policy. Payments are also dependent on you satisfying occupation definitions specific to your policy wording.
Q: Will you pay out if someone has not contracted the coronavirus but for whatever reason, they are not currently working (e.g. due to temporary or permanent closure of a business)?
No. Income protection policies pay out when you are unable to work due to illness. Your income protection insurance with AIG is not a form of accident, sickness and unemployment benefit, which typically pays if a person is made redundant.
Q: What should I do if I can’t afford my insurance because I’ve lost my job?
We are currently exploring ways in which we can help our customers in difficult financial positions. In the short term we recommend speaking to your financial adviser to get help.
Q: Will new policies have coronavirus exclusions?
We have no plans to introduce exclusions related to coronavirus and we have no plans to stop customers applying for income protection at this time.
Life and critical illness frequently asked questions
Q: Will you insure someone who has been diagnosed with coronavirus?
If a new customer who has been diagnosed with coronavirus approaches AIG to buy a life insurance or critical illness policy, we would postpone our underwriting decision until a full recovery is made. We do this with any application where we’re aware of a potential health risk that is still being assessed.
Q: Is coronavirus considered a critical illness?
No. The virus is not a named critical illness and therefore would not be a valid reason for claim under our Critical Illness policy.
Q: Will new policies have coronavirus exclusions?
We have no plans to introduce exclusions related to coronavirus and we have no plans to stop customers applying for life and critical illness insurance at this time.
Q: What should I do if I can’t afford my insurance because I’ve lost my job?
We are currently exploring ways in which we can help our customers in difficult financial positions. In the short term we recommend speaking to your financial adviser to get help.