The Association of British Insurers has issued draft guidance to ensure that people with disabilities continue to get fair and consistent treatment from life and disability insurers. The guide will consolidate insurers` experience and best practices, which have emerged so far in dealing with people with disabilities since the Disability Discrimination Act came into force in 1995.

ABI will be seeking comments on the draft guidance from a wide range of interested parties, including insurers, intermediaries, disability support groups and consumer groups.

Nick Kirwan, Chairman of the ABI Working Party, which is producing the guide, said:

“Insurers take their responsibilities under the Disability Discrimination Act very seriously. This is why ABI is drawing together a guide to capture the best practices of the industry, to ensure that people with disabilities continue to be treated fairly and consistently by life and disability insurers. We also hope the guide will enable insurers to plan ahead in adopting their responsibilities when the third phase of the Disability Discrimination Act comes into force on 1 October 2004.

“We shall be consulting widely, from both within and outside of the insurance industry, on this draft, and welcome the views and experiences of interested groups.”

Notes

1. Copies of the draft consultation can be accessed on ABI’s website www.abi.org.uk/researchinfo/conpapers
   
   
2. ABI’s Disability Discrimination Act Working Party set up project GOLD (Guidance on Life and Disability) to produce the guide. The team is made up of industry representatives covering the life and disability sector and is chaired by Nick Kirwan, Abbey National Life.E-mail:nick.kirwan@virgin.net Fax: 0141 275 9500
   
   
3. Written comments are invited on the draft guidance. These should arrive on or before the 28 February 2001 to Nick Kirwan, Chairman ABI DDA Working Party, c/o Association of British Insurers, 51 Gresham Street, London, EC2V 7HQ.
   
   
4. Enquiries to-

   Malcolm Tarling 020 7216 7410 (Home: 020 8297 9510)

   
   
5. An ISDN line is available for broadcasts.