Canada Life has introduced a new group critical illness policy with an extended range of conditions and improved product terms.

The range of core conditions covered has increased from seven to 12, and additional conditions increased from 24 to 38.

The policy, which will be available to all new group critical illness schemes and scheme renewals from 1 January 2011, has a maximum free cover limit increased to £500,000 and a member survival period (whereby the benefit is paid if the employee lives beyond a specified time) reduced to 14 days.

Canada Life has partnered with Red Arc to provide practical and emotional support to scheme members and their immediate family once a critical illness claim has been submitted.

Members will also have access to the Best Doctors second assessment service for serious health conditions.

Paul Avis, Canada Life sales and marketing director, said: “I like to think of our new group critical illness product as ‘life support’ for our scheme members as we support them at every stage from the moment a claim form is submitted.

“We believe that our members will find the counselling and support elements of our improved group critical illness product particularly valuable in what is undoubtedly a stressful time for all concerned as it gives them an unparalleled level of support.

“We also believe that the additional conditions covered, the increase in the maximum free cover limit and the reduction in survival period will help to make the cover as comprehensive as possible."

Read more articles on group risk