Growing adviser demand for tele-underwriting: Zurich
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A growing number of advisers are adjusting their models to deliver risk advice, and that is corresponding with an increase in the use of tele-underwriting services, according to Zurich Financial Services Australia.
Tele-underwriting means advisers are not required to complete customers’ personal statements, allowing them to spend more time with customers on recommendations and planning.
Zurich’s Life Risk general manager, Colin Morgan, said the tele-underwriting service is used on 25 per cent of applications.
“With the increasing demand for fee for services, advisers want to clearly demonstrate they are there to provide their customers with advice, rather than be bogged down on paperwork,” he added.
Morgan highlighted that, as a result of this growing demand, Zurich is extending its tele-underwriting line-up, with the appointment of Pam Fitzgerald and Shayne Fortune to the team.
Fitzgerald has more than 15 years of experience and joins the company from a life brokerage firm, while Fortune joins the tele-underwriting team from Zurich’s own call centre.
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