MENTAL health is the most common reason for Zurich customers making claims to protect their income when they need to take days off work. The Swindon-based insurance giant reports that the proportion of income protection claims that were caused by mental illness doubled in 2020. More than one in four (27 per cent) of the company’s clients struggled with mental health conditions last year, compared to 13 per cent in 2019, which made it the most common cause of claim. Ahead of Mental Health Awareness week beginning on Monday, the insurer revealed that around £1.7 million worth of payments were made to customers of individual policies who claimed on these policies.
Updated: May 5, 2021, 12:58 pm
(Dominic Lipinski/PA)
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The proportion of income protection claims triggered by mental health issues doubled in 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic, according to an insurer.
More than one in four (27%) such claims were triggered by mental health conditions last year, compared with 13% in 2019, making it the most common cause of claim, according to data from Zurich.
It released the findings ahead of Mental Health Awareness week from May 10 to 16.
Around £1.7 million of payments were made to individual policy holders who claimed. Some sought clinical support as part of their policy for conditions including depression, stress and anxiety, Zurich said.