We have compiled a booklet which guides you through the impact various occupations have on the underwriting process for hospital cash cover and accident cash cover.
The conditions of some occupations may mean that your client needs to supply additional information about their working environment. Also, if your client engages in certain pastimes that could be considered risky, they may need to provide details of those pastimes. In both circumstances they should complete the work and pastimes questionnaire.
It is important to discuss any queries you have with underwriting. You can contact underwriting directly by telephone on 01 704 1888 or by email at underwriting.help@irishlife.ie
Commonly rated occupations and hobbies
The majority of all applications received will be accepted at normal rates for life and specified illness cover. Some occupations can involve hazardous activities (e.g. flying, working at heights) or working in a hazardous environment (e.g. mining). We will judge each case on its individual merits. Where a person's occupation does impose an additional risk, we may apply an extra loading on the life cover or apply an occupation exclusion on specified illness cover.
Life cover
Per mille ratings are applied where there is an additional risk associated with certain occupations, hobbies or foreign travel.
For example, €250,000 life cover for a person working as a scaffolder at heights over 40ft might be rated at €1 per mille. The additional premium will be €250,000 x €1%, equalling an extra premium of €250 per annum.
Specified Illness Cover
For the same example above, loss of independence, coma, paralysis and loss of limbs(s) would be excluded.
We have set out below some occupations where your client may incur an extra premium or exclusion.
The construction industry
The main risk factor to consider is the accident risk. This would include falls from heights, being struck by falling objects, collapsing structures and on-site accidents. We will consider the average and maximum heights worked at and the amount of time your client spends at each.
Roofer
Average and maximum height worked at <15m Generally accepted at standard rates.
Average and maximum height worked at >15m €1 per mille up depending on maximum height and time spent at this height.
Scaffolder
Average and maximum height worked at <15m Generally accepted at standard rates.
Average and maximum height worked at >15m €1 per mille up depending on maximum height and time spent at this height
Commercial Aviation
This will generally involve i) airline passenger pilots, i.e. flying scheduled flights for recognised airline companies where pilot holds an airline transport pilot licence or ii) commercial pilots flying cargo/mail planes, private company trips, taxi services or flights to offshore rigs or scheduled helicopter flights. These pilots will hold a commercial pilots' licence.
We will generally consider
- The pilot: number of annual hours of exposure and personal/medical history
- The aircraft: the type of aircraft and who it is maintained by
- Geographical limits and where the aircraft is flown
Airline passenger pilots,cabin crew and the majority of commercial airline pilots will generally be accepted at standard rates.
Commercial pilots of helicopters will be based of hours per annum
Generally standard rates where number of hours is <200 per annum
200 - 500 hours per annum - €2 per mille
>500 hours per annum - €4 per mille
For Private Flying - see our Hobbies section below
Applicants should complete the aviation details section of our work and pastimes questionnaire.
Mining
The nature of this work primarily involves underground work in mines but can sometimes include work at ground levels. Accident risks can include fire and explosions from the use of explosives, hazardous equipment accidents, falling debris, flooding, shaft or mine collapse. Health risks can include exposure to hazardous gases, noise-induced hearing loss, exposure to noxious gases. The following underwriting considerations are generally applied:
- Length of time employed
- Exact nature of current role
- Percentage of time over ground or underground
- Any use of explosives
Miners or quarry workers using explosives can expect to be rated at €2 per mille.
Applicants should complete the mining & tunnelling section of our work and pastimes questionnaire.
Oil/gas rig
This type of occupation can include work in the oil and gas industries and includes activities such as exploration, drilling, refining and storage. The main risks include fire, explosions and falls from heights. Additional risks include poor lifestyle whilst offshore, exposure to weather extremes, transport to and from the rig and drowning. International travel is often required therefore political factors need to be considered also.
Generally life cover would rated at €2 per mille
Applicants should complete the oil and gas rigs section of our work and pastimes questionnaire.
Hobbies
The majority of all applications received will be accepted at normal rates for life and specified illness cover. Some hobbies can involve hazardous activities - e.g. scuba diving, private aviation and motor sports. We will judge each case on its individual merits. Where a person's hobby does impose an additional risk, we may apply an extra loading on the life cover or apply an exclusion on specified illness cover. Below are some popular hobbies, participation in which may incur an extra premium or exclusion on an applicant.
Scuba diving
Where there is no involvement in hazardous diving activities and diving is at depths of less than 40m, cover will generally be accepted at normal rates.
Where there is involvement in hazardous activities or diving is at depths of more than 40m, then life cover may be rated from €1-3 per mille.
Applicants should complete the scuba diving section of our work and pastimes questionnaire.
Private aviation
This includes both private and club aviation flying conventional small airplanes or helicopters. These can include private jets, single and twin propeller airplanes and helicopters. Helicopters generally carry a slightly higher accident rate than small aeroplanes. Accidents generally can be caused by lack of pilot experience, poor weather conditions or flying an unfamiliar model of aircraft. In general, ratings for life cover would be as follows:
Fixed wing craft will be rated at a minimum of €1 per mille.
Rotary wing craft will be rated at a minimum of €2 per mille.
Applicants should complete the aviation section of our work and pastimes questionnaire.
Motor sports
While the safety of motor sports has improved significantly over the last number of years, we do need to consider a number of aspects in relation to the total risk. For example;
- The speed of the vehicle i.e. engine power;
- Type and nature of circuit and venue;
- The degree of exposure e.g. professional drivers will drive significantly more than amateurs;
- The design and construction of the vehicle i.e. saloon/closed construction cars will protect the driver more than open wheeled vehicles.
Amateur drivers will generally be accepted at standard rates for life cover.
If your client is a professional driver, please contact underwriting directly to discuss terms.
Applicants should complete the motor sports section of our work and pastimes questionnaire.
Mountaineering
Climbing and mountaineering have increased in popularity around the world. Climbers will generally have a very high level of physical fitness. Climbing can involve rock, snow and ice while mountaineering can include hiking which generally does not require any special skills or training up to rock and ice climbing which involves physical strength, experience and specialised skills. We will look at the applicant's experience, whether they are a club member, taking part in any special expeditions and their intention to climb outside Ireland and/or UK.
Hiking, trekking and mountaineering at altitudes up to 4,000m will generally be accpeted at normal rates.
Otherwise please contact underwriting direct to discuss - terms will depend on altitude, where an individual is climbing etc.
Applicants should complete the mountaineering section of our work and pastimes questionnaire.
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