From Monday 16 September Scottish Provident will enhance its critical illness cover to include a new heart attack definition, which it claims is a first for the intermediary market.

The definition has been expanded to increase the number of successful heart attack claims. The changes now only require a rise in troponin levels to be evident, which replaces the previous definition that troponins had to be above a minimum level.

In addition it has extended both its cancer and major organ transplant definitions to achieve ABI+ status.

Cancer definition has been extended to cover chronic lymphocytic leukaemia where a clear diagnosis is made but it has not progressed to Binet Stage A. In addition cover for skin cancers – basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma – where they have invaded and spread to lymph nodes or distant organs has been included.

The major organ transplant definition has been extended to provide cover for the transplant of the whole lobe of the lung or liver.

Scottish Provident’s critical illness plans will cover 45 illnesses, with 41 paying the full sum assured and 4 providing additional, smaller lump sum payouts. 12 of Scottish Provident’s definitions are now classed as ABI+ by exceeding the ABI’s standard definitions.

Jennifer Gilchrist, senior product development manager at Scottish Provident, said: “We’re committed to designing clear, effective products so that intermediaries can offer the broadest cover to their clients. The change to our heart attack definition is a real first for the intermediary market and will mean an increase in successful claims as a result.

“For these changes, we focused on the top reasons for claims, which allows us to provide cover that will make a real difference for our customers rather than adding on new definitions of limited significance. It is important that our products reflect what customers need, and we are therefore committed to providing cover that they will find of real value.”