Royal London has removed all Covid-19 restrictions to its underwriting for cases up to £3m and below age 80, returning to a pre-pandemic underwriting approach.

The mutual insurer has improved its application process by no longer asking about self-isolation, positive coronavirus tests in the last 30 days, and symptoms of coronavirus. Instead, customers will only be asked if they needed treatment for Covid in hospital in the last three years.

In addition, Royal London has shortened the automatic postponement periods for customers with a history of hospitalisation for coronavirus.

For certain higher risk cases above £3m, the customer’s vaccination status will either be confirmed from their medical records or over email, so they can also be offered the same breadth of cover. For customers aged 80 and over, maximum ratings have been extended to +100 with a maximum sum assured of £100,000.

Craig Paterson, chief underwriter at Royal London, said: “With the progress of the vaccination programme and as the UK moves towards a strategy of living with COVID, we’re pleased to return to a pre-pandemic underwriting philosophy for our customers aged below 80 and up to a sum assured of £3m.

“The positive changes to our customer journey and the approach for a past history of coronavirus makes it easier to take out cover with us and ensure greater access to insurance. We will continue to monitor our underwriting philosophy as circumstances dictate but we are delighted to announce these positive changes to the market.”