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How do Group Risk products work in practice? Every business is different and every experience of illness, injury or loss of life will be unique - but Group Risk products from Aviva are extremely flexible. We understand that a business’s greatest asset is its people, and we treat every claim on an individual basis.

Drawing on over 50 years of experience in Group Risk, we examine the circumstances carefully. Our aims are to help staff suffering from illness or injury return to work as quickly as possible; we’ll help families dealing with loss of life practically as well as financially; businesses can rely on our expertise, efficiency and accountability in all aspects of scheme administration.

The following examples illustrate the cover you might expect from Aviva:

Group Income Protection

Working together

After back surgery, a 37-year-old woman had been away from work for four months. She was still having mobility problems, describing weakness and stiffness in her legs, and her consultant had referred her for physiotherapy - but her condition was unlikely to improve much further. We arranged for an Occupational Health visitor to meet her.

Together, they agreed that a workstation assessment could be beneficial, particularly if it looked at her seating arrangements. Her employer followed the recommendations of the assessment and a phased return-to-work plan was drawn up over a four-week period.

The woman started this phased return to work after receiving one month’s full benefit, and eventually returned to work in a full-time capacity.

We were able to help in this example by:

• Providing additional support services (Occupation Health assessments).
• Giving the employee financial assistance (one month’s benefit) and support.
• Helping the employer find a workplace solution to facilitate early return to work.
• Reducing the amount of time this employee could have been absent.

To see the financial benefits that can come from our Group Income Protection product and it's related services please read our early intervention case study booklet.

Finding alternatives

A 51-year-old man had been absent from work for six weeks. Following the breakdown of his marriage and a recent family bereavement, he’d been showing symptoms of anxiety and depression.

His company had a 52-week deferred period on their Group Income Protection policy, but they let us know about his absence after six weeks. We talked to everyone involved: the employer, the employee, and his GP. His GP let us know there was a lengthy waiting list for NHS counselling in his area, so we decided to fund a course of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy instead.

After this course of therapy, the man returned to work on a phased basis. He was back at work full-time well within the deferred 52-week period, with no need for the company to make a claim.

We were able to help in this example by:

• Consulting everyone involved to find the best, personalised course of action.
• Finding an alternative appropriate treatment (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy).
• Reducing the amount of time this employee could have been absent.
• Resolving the situation without the company needing to make a claim.

For more information on how we can assist employees in coping with both workplace and lifestyle stress please read our early intervention and therapy services brochure.

Giving prompt support

A 51-year-old woman had been away from work due to breast cancer. Her employer let us know about her absence after six weeks. When our Rehabilitation Case Manager spoke to her, she’d had surgery and was due to start chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

At this time, we couldn’t offer our early intervention services - but we did refer her to ‘Look Good, Feel Better’, the cancer support charity that helps women manage the visible side-effects of cancer. She made an appointment, and started using their make-up techniques to help her feel better about her appearance during chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

The NHS has since offered her the same service, but by referring her promptly, she had valuable additional support right from the beginning of her treatment.

• We were able to help in this example by:
• Understanding the value of prompt referrals to specialist organisations.
• Offering referrals for services that compliment medical treatments.
• Restoring confidence, vital for a successful return to work.

To see more ways that our Group Income Protection policies can assist your clients' employees read our rehabilitation case studies booklet.

Group Life cover

Help at difficult times

After a short illness, a popular 52-year-old man died from throat cancer. As the director of a large business, he’d been involved in setting up a Group Life policy for the employees. His wife knew he’d arranged a lump sum and pension payments for her and his children - and was also aware the providers offered bereavement counselling as part of their service.

All equally devastated by their loss, she’d found family members drawing deeply on her own personal reserves. This left her feeling physically drained and barely able to deal with the hundreds of people, colleagues and friends, who wanted to attend the funeral.

She called the bereavement helpline. Initially, she was comforted by simply being able to talk through her concerns with a compassionate counsellor. She was also relieved to find practical help and advice on how to cope with arrangements for a small private family ceremony, and a larger, open memorial service.

We were able to help in this example by:

• Offering practical guidance and advice on aspects of bereavement.
• Providing ongoing financial support to dependants.
• Giving emotional support to dependants at a time they needed it most.

Planning ahead

A well-qualified 49-year old man was fortunate enough to receive three offers of employment from different companies. He and his wife compared them carefully. Two companies were marginally closer to their home, but when they considered the working environment, the duties and the basic salary - there was very little else to distinguish between them.

However, one employer offered a 4 x salary Group Life policy in addition to the basic benefits package. With three young children, their financial adviser had previously recommended taking life assurance, but financial commitments had made this difficult for the couple.

Having recently lost an aunt, the wife was very aware of the emotional strain involved for anyone suffering from bereavement. The couple agreed: the benefits afforded to them by one company’s additional commitment to its employees far outweighed the geographical advantages of the other two.

We were able to help in this example by:

• Giving the employer a tool with which to attract quality staff.
• Providing reassurance against the unexpected to employees and their families.

Group Critical Illness cover

Planning ahead

A young couple in their mid-30s are buying a new house. The husband works full-time, but his wife recently gave birth to their first child - and has decided not to return to work for two years.

As the sole breadwinner, the husband is concerned about what would happen if he were unable to work. He’s healthy now, and has not suffered any illness in the past, but a friend was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer - and was off work for several months during treatment. Talking to his colleagues, the young man is reminded that his company provides Group Critical Illness cover for the workforce. If he should suffer from a qualifying injury or illness, his wife and new family would not be without financial support.

We were able to help in this example by:

• Giving reassurance to the employee and his family.
• Building the employer’s profile, highlighting its commitment to care for employees.

If you’d like to know more

Talk to us, we’re happy to help. Get in touch with our Group Risk Sales Support team on 0845 300 4452.

Lines are open from 9am - 5pm Monday to Friday.

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