LONDON - 17 June 2009 - In response to reports regarding doctors’ fears relating to a lack of coverage under life assurance policies in the event of deaths resulting from the H1N1virus, Aon Consulting is advising employers to check the wording of their policies, but reassures that in the vast majority of cases employees will still be covered in the case of H1N1 infection.

Matthew Lawrence, senior consultant of Aon Consulting commented: “Understandably, GPs are concerned regarding the depth of their death in service cover now that a pandemic has been declared, and indeed they should be checking their policy extremely closely. However employees outside of this specific group of workers who are covered under life assurance policies should take solace in the fact that these policies usually have extremely comprehensive levels of cover.

“One of the key advantages of an employer sponsored group life assurance arrangement is that all causes of death are usually covered, as standard. It is unlikely to see any exclusions based on the raising of the pandemic threat level or because we are witnessing a new strain of the flu.

“Although insurers have the right to invoke ‘catastrophe limits’ where there are a large number of deaths under the one policy, Aon Consulting’s research suggests that even where a pandemic is included within an insurer’s definition of a catastrophe, it would not apply in this situation. An insurer would need to see many, many deaths within the one company for a catastrophe limits scenario to even be a consideration.

“The pandemic is predicted to intensify during the Autumn and we recommend that employers highlight the steps they are taking to protect their employees both physically and financially to provide a real sense of comfort to employees who may be reticent to come to work for fear of becoming infected.  Employers need to have fully integrated sickness absence systems, employee benefits and occupational health services to be best prepared for a response to the pandemic.”

For more information please contact:

Leo Wood / Josephine Corbett
0207 269 7137 /  7250
Leo.wood@fd.com  / Josephine.corbett@fd.com

About Aon Consulting
Aon Consulting Worldwide is among the top global human capital consulting firms, with 2008 revenues of $1.358 billion and more than 6,300 professionals in 117 offices worldwide. Aon Consulting works with organizations to improve business performance and shape the workplace of the future through employee benefits, talent management and rewards strategies and solutions. Aon Consulting was named the best employee benefit consulting firm by the readers of Business Insurance magazine in 2006, 2007 and 2008.  For more information on Aon, please visit http://aon.mediaroom.com.

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