TRAVEL agents are to blame for the imposition of medical screening, JS Insurance Management managing director Steve King said.
He said screening, which is used to weed out clients with high-risk medical conditions, was introduced by insurers as a way to meet demands from intermediaries and agents for lower premiums. Clients picked out as high risk often have to pay more in premium or accept tough conditions before they can be insured.
King said agents complain about medical screening, and the fact that it might lose them business, but added: “It is the agents’ desire to maximise commissions and minimise income to insurers that has actually caused the problem in the first place.”
He also challenged claims from the insurance industry that clients like screening as it gives them peace of mind that they are covered. “I am not sure they do get security,” he said. “I think screening may be just another of those control fads destined to be seriously criticised for its lack of consumer focus unless we wake up to the realities. It is a disaster waiting to happen.”