Scottish Widows uses electronic GP reports to underwrite protection

iGPR, developed by Niche Health, eliminates the paper-based system and encrypts data to NHS standards.

Scottish Widows has started underwriting protection policies with electronic GP reports.

iGPR, developed by Niche Health, eliminates the paper-based system and encrypts data to NHS standards.

The software is already adopted by 60% of GPs in England and Wales. Niche Health aims to cover 80% by the end of the year and after that the focus will move to Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Scott Cadger, head of underwriting and claims strategy at Scottish Widows, said: “We’re constantly looking at how we can improve the customer experience.

“Electronic GP reports help us to add more digital capability into our protection sales process, speeding up the journey for advisers and clients, and resulting in terms being offered more quickly.

“They will also significantly reduce the number of policies that are not proceeded with due to the long period from initial submission date so, ultimately, more people will be covered as a result. This is part of our ongoing commitment to the protection market.”

It takes a significantly shorter time for a GP to produce a report using the system which means customers can be offered terms faster.