Seasonal Affective Disorder, annual statements and winners & losers in the AI shockwave hitting underwriting
The accelerating impact of Artificial Intelligence on underwriting, claims and advice, mental health risk and what is needed from Annual Statements all came under scrutiny last week on Protection Guru. Each of these has direct consequences for advice quality and client outcomes, but only if advisers engage with them properly.
In Seasonal Affective Disorder: What Advisers Need to Know for Income Protection and Client Support Protection Guru‘s medical panel explains what Seasonal Affective Disorder actually is, how it differs from low mood or general depression, how it tends to affect work performance rather than attendance, and when it may overlap with Income Protection claims. This article also sets out how underwriters typically assess disclosures and why severity and functional impact matter more than labels.
Annual Statements – December Protection Forum Recap Part 1 shows how advisers are using Annual Statements as a proactive engagement trigger rather than an administrative afterthought. The session shares practical examples of simple follow-up processes that prompt responses, uncover changed circumstances and create review opportunities.
Failing to connect the dots will lose you protection business – Week 5 Matthew Chapman continues his 10-week mistake series by focusing on why protection advice fails when it is not explicitly linked to a client’s goals. It provides practical language and coaching techniques that help advisers frame protection as an enabler of outcomes, improving engagement and persistency.
What insurance company staff should do to prepare for the impact of Artificial Intelligence Ian McKenna explores how Artificial Intelligence is already reshaping underwriting and operational roles, why skills shortages are driving delays, and why retraining and role evolution are becoming unavoidable.
How Aviva Are Putting AI into Practice, to transform service and their staff job security provides a real-world case study of how AI is being used to speed underwriting and claims decisions, reduce adviser friction and support staff into more specialist roles, while acknowledging short-term pressures.
Finally from Ian McKenna, How will AI impact protection? offers a concise overview of how rapidly advancing AI is reshaping underwriting, adviser workflows, consumer search behaviour and distribution models, alongside emerging cyber risks and the need for firms to adapt.
Until next time, have a great week everyone!
