Frequently Asked Questions

When income benefit starts

There will be a period when you are first unable to work for which we don’t pay benefit. We call this the “deferment period.” You can choose between a 3 month and a 6 month deferment period. The longer the deferment period the cheaper your plan will be.

Your choice should allow for any earnings which you expect to continue after you stop working such as sick pay, or for how long you are prepared to live on your savings.

Can salary received as commission be considered as part of your earnings?

We will take into account 50% of your commission earnings over the previous 12 months when we assess your pre-disability salary.

How long the benefit will be paid

During the first 24 months of receiving benefit you must be totally unable to perform your own occupation.

After we have paid you benefit for a full 24 months you must be totally unable to perform any occupation for which you are reasonably fitted by training, education or experience. This means that if at any time after we have paid benefit for 24 months you are able to return to a different occupation, even if it is a less well paid occupation, we will stop paying benefit.

How long the cover should last

You choose for your plan to end when you think that you would no longer need the benefits but no later than your planned retirement date, and before you attain the age of 65.

Medicals and other details we may need

Your application will include questions about your medical history, finances and other personal circumstances. It may be necessary for you to have a medical examination and additional medical tests. We will pay for any medical examination and/or tests that we specifically request when your Global Income plan has been in force for six months. The maximum amount we will reimburse you with is £325 or $520 or €520 depending upon the currency of your plan.

Cover during periods of unemployment

The Global Income plan only provides cover whilst you are in employment and have a salary to insure. You must inform us immediately if you become unemployed.

The plan allows for temporary periods of unemployment of up to FOUR consecutive months. If you remain unemployed for longer than four months, your cover will automatically cease, even if your premiums have been paid. Premiums paid in respect of the period after the expiry of four months will be reimbursed.

	Increase the premium
	Restrict the cover

How we assess your claim

We will ask for a detailed medical report from your treating physician and/or specialist.

We will look at the duties of your occupation and your ability to do them.

We will ask for evidence of your loss of earnings.

You will qualify for benefit if you are totally unable to perform the main and essential duties of your occupation and are not doing any other work.

Please note availability of work isn’t a factor in deciding whether you’re able to perform your occupation.

	You recover and you are no longer totally incapacitated
	You no longer suffer a loss of earnings
	You reach age 65
	You die

Claiming again after returning to work

There is no limit to the number of claims you can make.

You must restart premium payments when you return to work to keep your cover going.

If you need to claim again for the same cause within 26 weeks of returning to work then the deferment period won’t apply.

How the benefit is paid

Benefits are paid monthly in arrears starting one month after the end of the deferment period.

Premium payments when claiming

You should carry on your payments until the renewal date that follows the date on which we accept your claim. After that no further premiums will be due until your claim ends.

Returning to work part-time

If you return to your own occupation on a part-time basis you may be able to claim a rehabilitation benefit. The benefit you receive will be reduced by the amount of your part-time earnings. 

You can claim the rehabilitation benefit for up to 6 months, or until your are fit enough to return to work on a full-time basis, if sooner. 

Global Income premiums

Your premium payments depend upon your age, occupation, pastimes, medical history and upon the level of the cover you choose. We will tell you of the actual cost you will pay once we have assessed your application and any additional medical evidence we ask you to provide.

Changes to your premium payments in the future

Your premium rates will increase as you get older.

The Global Protection plan premiums are reviewed annually and may be increased in the future due to factors such as our claim costs and interest rates.

Taxation

Benefit will be paid to you free of tax at source. It is your responsibility to declare your payments to the appropriate tax authorities.

	Where there is a significant change of risk such as changing to a higher risk occupation.
	If you move to a country we consider dangerous.
	If you participate in pastimes we consider dangerous.
	Upon non-payment of premium, although we may at our discretion reinstate cover if the premium is subsequently paid within 30 days.
	If you fail to observe the terms and conditions of the plan.

Terms and conditions

The terms, conditions and exclusions of the Global Income plan are set out in the Global Life & Income Protection plan agreement.

Once your plan has commenced we may change the terms and conditions from any subsequent renewal date. We will inform you about any changes if we do.

Law

In the event of a dispute it shall be referred for Arbitration to take place in Paris, France. English Law shall apply.