ClearView adds new head of underwriting, updates trauma definitions

ClearView Wealth has appointed industry veteran Peter Tilocca as its new head of underwriting, effective 30 June, which the firm said would enable it to “accelerate growth through new business and refine underwriting capability”.

Tilocca has spent more than 20 years within the life insurance industry, having led underwriting, operations and claims teams at Zurich, Noble Oak, One Path Life and RGA Australia.

Alongside the appointment, ClearView also announced that it has introduced a “revised framework” for mandatory medical underwriting requirements across its product range.

The changes, which it said kicked off in May, “aim to provide greater clarity and consistency for advisers and clients during the application process”.

ClearView said it now allowed for improved accessibility, with clients applying for cover under certain thresholds – up to $2 million for life and total and permanent disability (TPD) in some age groups – having reduced or no mandatory medical requirements.

The insurer has also grouped the updated requirement tables for life, TPD, trauma, income protection and business expenses into “clear tiers”, based on age and benefit amount, which it said makes it easier for advisers to identify the necessary medical evidence and manage client expectations.

In a bid to “further [reinforce] the link between underwriting and broader health outcomes”, ClearView has also incorporated alignment with the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program for applicants aged 50 and over for higher levels of trauma cover.

“Effective 5 June 2025, key changes have been introduced to the trauma benefits available under ClearView’s ClearChoice and LifeSolutions products,” ClearView added.

“These enhancements aim to improve the clarity and fairness of trauma definitions while ensuring they remain aligned with contemporary medical practice.”

The updates include:

• The exclusion for colorectal neuroendocrine carcinomas has been removed from the cancer definition under ClearChoice policies.
• The requirement for procedures to be performed on three specific named arteries has been broadened to include any three or more coronary arteries – improving applicability for a wider range of clinically equivalent procedures.
• A new assessment pathway has been introduced, allowing claims to be assessed using a Whole Person Impairment measure of at least 25 per cent as an alternative to the “Activities of Daily Living” criteria.

The enhancements apply to all existing ClearChoice and LifeSolutions policies, ClearView said, as well as to new policies issued before the next product disclosure statement update.

They will also apply to claims where the condition or symptoms first present on or after 5 June 2025.

“Importantly, these updates do not result in any change to premium levels,” it said.