Introducing Zurich Accelerate

Zurich Accelerate sounds exciting. What is it?

It’s something we’re really excited about. Zurich Accelerate provides access to experts from around the world to offer a package of medical care services for cancer, heart and neurological conditions. Customers who add Zurich Accelerate to their Personal and Income Protection policies with Zurich will have fast access to consultations and diagnostics. Zurich Accelerate can help them access the latest precision cancer medicine and cancer clinical trials; as well as treatment abroad at some of the leading hospitals in the world.

When and why did you decide to launch such a product?

We’ve been developing Zurich Accelerate in partnership with Further Group, a specialist in this area, for almost two years. It stemmed from our desire to offer a protection solution that not only pays out when a customer dies, is diagnosed with a terminal or critical illness or is unable to work due to illness but aims to give them greater choice when it comes to their healthcare options.

Can you tell me more about the six services of Zurich Accelerate?

Virtual Consultant allows customers to have a video consultation with a UK consultant specialising in cancer, heart or neurological conditions following a referral from a GP to investigate symptoms related to those conditions.

The second service is Private Diagnostics Plus. The consultant may suggest specific investigations or tests and a case manager will help customers to book an appointment at the most appropriate UK diagnostic centre for their needs, to get the right tests done quickly. This will be followed by a virtual appointment with the consultant to discuss the results.

If your customer is unsure about their diagnosis or treatment plan for a cancer, heart or neurological condition, bone marrow transplant or live organ donor transplant, they can ask for a Second Medical Opinion. A consultant will carry out a comprehensive review of the current medical evidence, diagnosis and treatment plan and, if appropriate, will suggest other investigations or treatment options.

The next two services relate to cancer. Precision Cancer Medicine uses the latest tumour profiling technology to provide a personalised treatment plan. Customers can use this service if their cancer is stage three or four, isn’t responding to first line treatment, is a rare form of cancer or where the primary source of their cancer is unknown.

If they have tried most conventional treatments and their cancer hasn’t responded, Cancer Clinical Trial Support can help customers find and apply for a suitable clinical trial in the UK or abroad. If they are accepted on to a trial, Zurich Accelerate will also cover the costs of travel and accommodation as well as a daily allowance for them and their travel companions.

Last but not least, Global Treatment Plus gives customers access to some of the leading hospitals in the world. The cost of treatment, travel, accommodation and daily expenses for your client and up to two companions are covered (three if the patient is a child). And we cover post-procedure medications too.

All of the services can be dipped in and out of at any stage of the illness and are a powerful complement to the strengths and resources that exist in public healthcare and private care.

Who is Zurich Accelerate available to?

It’s available as an optional benefit to customers aged between 16 and 69 taking out a Zurich Personal or Income Protection policy through an intermediary. It can be taken out at the same time as the protection policy or added at a later date. Zurich Accelerate is underwritten so if they have any pre-existing health conditions this may impact their access to cover. Cover ends when your customers turn 70.

The cover also extends to the children up to the age of 22 of any Accelerate customer taking out the cover.

It sounds great! What excites you most about Accelerate?

In my opinion, Zurich Accelerate could be considered a first for the UK insurance market because it provides a package of services from diagnosis to treatment and also some specific cancer services with the aim to help our customers when faced with a potentially serious condition.

And it seems our intermediary partners agree. Our research among a cross-section of over 40 advisers shows the product has appeal for 93% of advisers. As well as providing a greater level of protection to customers, they see innovations like this as further enhancing their customer relationships and strengthening their business. Some 89% of them are likely to recommend Zurich Accelerate to their customers and 83% of them recognise its uniqueness – that’s a great endorsement.