Kathryn Williamson

Listed life insurance company, ClearView, has made enhancements to its ClearView ClearChoice product series to deliver even greater value, flexibility and choice to customers, and modernise product design, particularly for trauma and total permanent disability (TPD) insurance.

Launched in 2021, ClearView ClearChoice provides a range of personal and business insurance covers including income protection, TPD and trauma.

The group’s latest product upgrade includes the addition of two new trauma options: Trauma Extras and Trauma Severe Events, plus the ability for customers to hold trauma cover for longer by extending the expiry age to 70, up from age 65.

Income protection waiting period definitions have also been improved for all occupations.

With the new trauma options, Trauma Extras covers customers for less severe events such as fractures and total joint replacements including shoulder, hip, knee and ankle.

Trauma Severe Events provides coverage for catastrophic health events, allowing for a higher benefit payment to ensure additional funds are available to support customers impacted by these types of life-altering events.

According to Nick Kulikov, ClearView Group Executive Product and Pricing, the addition of Trauma Extras and Trauma Severe Events gives customers and advisers greater flexibility to tailor cover to suit their needs, circumstances and budget.

“We recognise that there are cost of living pressures on some households so affordability is a key consideration when it comes to insurance. We want to help customers gain and maintain invaluable cover so they can protect themselves and their families,” Kulikov said.

“With our new options, people can opt for less severe events or increase the amount payable under trauma for catastrophic events. These options can also potentially be used in place of TPD, for example, in situations where certainty through objective definitions is desirable or where any or own occupation definitions are unavailable. This represents a much-needed first step towards reimagining TPD cover for today’s market.”

Kathryn Williamson, ClearView Head of Distribution and Marketing, said the latest enhancements to ClearView ClearChoice had been driven by customer and adviser feedback, demonstrating the group’s commitment to continuous improvement.

“We are listening to our customers and advisers, and actively seeking their input,” she said.

“Life insurers need to start thinking more creatively to meet the evolving needs of customers. While trauma has been front and centre in this round of enhancements, we’re also looking to overcome some of the current issues with TPD such as uncertainty due to the subjectivity of assessing total and permanent disability, and the length of time it takes to assess claims.”

Full details of these enhancements can be found in the ClearView ClearChoice PDS effective from 13 May. ClearView encourages advisers to speak to their BDM for a detailed summary of the changes.

The post ClearView unveils enhancements to ClearChoice appeared first on AdviserVoice.

Warren Page

Experienced senior underwriters, Sheldon Hatzantonis and Daniel Yianakis, have joined listed financial services company, ClearView Wealth Limited, as Principal Underwriters.

Based in Sydney, Hatzantonis was previously NSW State Underwriting Manager at BT Financial Group and Victorian State Underwriting Manager at Asteron Life.

Based in Melbourne, Yianakis joins ClearView from BT Financial Group, where he held a variety of underwriting roles including Regional Underwriting Manager. Prior to BT, Yianakis also worked as an underwriter at Asteron Life and OnePath.

Both underwriters report to ClearView Chief Underwriter Warren Page.

ClearView has also bolstered its tele-underwriting team with the appointment of Karen James.

James, previously an administration officer at Mater Health Services, is based in Brisbane and reports to ClearView Technical Underwriting Manager Nikki Ashley.

According to Page, ClearView continues to build its underwriting team and capability, as demand for the group’s flagship life insurance product series, ClearView ClearChoice grows.

“Over the years, ClearView’s distribution and underwriting teams have developed a reputation for being knowledgeable, accessible and helpful, which is a key strength of our offer,” he said.

“Our senior and experienced staff work closely with advisers, and we will continue building our capability to support our business partners.”

Page added that demand for speedy tele-underwriting had also increased, with tele-underwriting currently representing around 30% of all underwriting applications.

“Advisers like the ability to outsource the completion of personal statements to us,” he said.

“We can gather medical information and seek personal disclosures, freeing them to spend more time in front of clients.”

Kathryn Williamson, ClearView Head of Distribution Strategy said the group continued to build its capability in underwriting and distribution to meet strong adviser support for ClearView ClearChoice.

“ClearView has invested significantly in technology, processes and people over the past few years, as part of our transformation journey. Our new policy administration system and new underwriting rules engine will underpin future growth,” she said.

“At the same time, we understand the importance of strong dedicated relationships for advice practices to ensure optimal outcomes for their clients.”

The post ClearView bolsters national underwriting capability appeared first on AdviserVoice.

Former Senior Product Manager, Advised Life Insurance at BT Financial Group, Alex Koodrin, has been appointed National Technical Manager.

Jeremy Anthony and Mathew Amanovich have also joined ClearView as Business Development Managers from MLC Life Insurance and BT Financial Group respectively.

Internally, Leah Henshaw and Heather Sherwell have been promoted to Digital Business Development Managers (formerly Business Development Associates).

Henshaw, a former financial adviser, has held a variety of business development roles since joining ClearView in 2016.

Sherwell has been at ClearView since 2017.

This follows the appointments earlier this year of Adam Faulkner, formerly Business Development Manager at Zurich and Ralf Hanna, a former financial adviser at NAB, as Business Development Managers; and the internal promotion of Steven Jurcec to Business Development Manager.

According to ClearView Head of Distribution Strategy Kathryn Williamson, changing economic conditions, alongside a wave of new life insurance and income protection products recently hitting the market, has meant advisers need extra support to understand changes and how they may impact their clients.

In October 2021, ClearView launched its new life insurance product series, ClearView ClearChoice. Later this year, a range of enhancements to ClearView ClearChoice will be released.

“We continue to invest in our people capability to better support our business partners,” Ms Williamson said.

“Our distribution team is knowledgeable, experienced and responsive. We are focused on supporting advisers to deliver quality service and advice while driving business productivity, efficiency and growth.”

The post ClearView expands distribution team with five appointments appeared first on AdviserVoice.

Mr Fox, who joined ClearView as Business Development Manager in mid-2017 from BT Financial Group, replaces Kathryn Williamson who was internally appointed to the newly-created position of Head of Distribution Strategy in February.

He will report to Christopher Blaxland-Walker, ClearView General Manager of Distribution. “Michael is an experienced sales executive who has spent the past 15 years working closely with financial advisers and licensees, and managing high performing sales teams,” Mr Blaxland-Walker said.

“He is extremely well-regarded by advisers and his peers, and we feel fortunate to have such a standout internal candidate step up to fill this important role.”

ClearView’s flagship life insurance product, LifeSolutions is currently on 374 Approved Product Lists (APLs) and the group’s wealth management platforms, WealthFoundations and WealthSolutions, are on 31 APLs. ClearView also offers a range of model portfolios and managed accounts.

The post ClearView appoints State Manager for NSW/ACT appeared first on AdviserVoice.

Kathryn Williamson

Listed diversified financial services company, ClearView has appointed Kathryn Williamson to the newly-created position of Head of Distribution Strategy with responsibility for expanding the group’s relationships in the independent financial adviser (IFA) market and driving deeper adviser engagement.

Ms Williamson, formerly ClearView State Manager for NSW/ACT, will focus on building support for ClearView’s market-leading life insurance and wealth management solutions through a range of distribution initiatives.

She will work closely with the group’s product, operations and marketing teams to help shape its product design and service offering, and ensure effective adviser communication.

She will continue reporting to General Manager Distribution, Christopher Blaxland-Walker.

“For the past four years, Kathryn has excelled as state manager NSW/ACT, building and managing a high calibre team and taking our flagship life insurance product, LifeSolutions, to the IFA market. She is ideally- positioned and qualified to help drive and execute ClearView’s ongoing distribution strategy,” Mr Blaxland-Walker said.

“As a business, we are focused on expanding our presence in the IFA market and continuing to grow our market share in both life insurance and wealth management. The business continues to grow rapidly, making it critical to have an experienced and dedicated person to focus on distribution strategy.”

LifeSolutions is currently on 374 Approved Product Lists (APLs) and the group’s wealth management platforms, WealthFoundations and WealthSolutions, are on 31 APLs.

Ms Williamson said ClearView was actively rethinking the way it engaged with financial advisers and licensees given that the way clients were communicating and engaging with advisers was evolving.

“A key focus for ClearView this year is helping practices adapt to change by being more efficient and productive,” she said.

“Many practices are struggling to deal with the regulatory and compliance burden, not to mention increasing uncertainty about the future, so it’s imperative for us to help them understand, prepare and adapt to change.”

“Consistently delivering competitive, client-centric solutions is just a ticket to the game. We’re committed to supporting advisers through education and training, technology and greater automation, and practice management support.”

ClearView is actively recruiting for a State Manager for NSW/ACT.

The post ClearView appoints Head of Distribution Strategy appeared first on AdviserVoice.