Prot

ectio

n l P

erso

nal M

enu

MAKING A CLAIM FORUNEMPLOYMENT

COVER

2

We understand that completing paperwork and form filling is time consuming and that’s why we try to make our claims process as straightforward as possible.

We’ve put together this leaflet to show how our claims process works and what happens at each stage.

Step one – register at your local jobcentreIf you’re made unemployed, your first step should be to register at your local Jobcentre. Or, if you gave up work to look after a close relative full time, you must register with your local Department of Work and Pensions as a carer.

Step two – eligibilityYou should read the documents we sent you when you took out your plan. These will help you understand what you’re covered for. At this stage, you might want to talk to your financial adviser about all the options available to you. If you don’t have, or can’t find your documents, you should contact a member of our customer services team on 0345 6094 500.

Before you can make a claim, you need to meet some eligibility criteria.

1. You’ve had your plan for at least eight weeks before making a claim for Unemployment Cover. You can find your exact start date for Unemployment Cover in your cover summary.

2. We’ll consider you unemployed if:• You gave up work to look after a close

relative full-time and you’re registered with your local Department of Work and Pensions as a carer and are in receipt of Carer’s Allowance or you’ve

registered with your local Jobcentre and have received an acceptance letter confirming you’re eligible for the appropriate benefits e.g. Universal Credit and/or Job Seeker’s Allowance in the UK, or appropriate Government office in the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man

• You’ve received any compensation payments representing your notice period (payment in lieu) and the notice period has expired, and

• You’ve become unemployed because of one of the following reasons:

– Your employment has been permanently terminated by your employer due to circumstances outside your control

– Your fixed-term contract has ended and you’ve met the fixed-term contract requirements, which are outlined in the plan details

If you’re self-employed one of the following must apply:

• You’ve ceased trading and the business is being (or has been) wound up or put into the hands of a liquidator due to the financial inability of the business to continue trading, or

• The partnership has been dissolved (but not if you’ve only stopped trading temporarily).

3. You’re actively seeking work from the date you make a claim, unless you are claiming Carer Cover.

Step three – filling in a claim formThe next step is to complete and check all the details on your claim form and return it to us in the envelope provided.

3

Along with the claim form, there are a number of documents we need to see so we can process your claim as quickly as possible. Please note that we can’t return documents using secure mail, so please send us copies.

Step four – considering your claimOnce you’ve returned the claim form and supporting documentation to us, our claims team will then consider the claim and make a decision as quickly as possible.

Remember, to be able to make a claim, the plan must be in force with all premiums up to date. While we consider your claim, you should continue to pay your plan premiums until a decision on your claim has been made. If you have a jointly owned plan, we’ll need both of you to confirm where your payments are to be made.

Step five – keeping you up to dateWe’ll write to you on a regular basis to keep you updated on the progress of your claim. If you’ve asked us to, we’ll also let your financial adviser know how your claim is progressing. With Unemployment Cover claims, we might need to call you during the claim period, so it’s important to keep us up to date if your contact details change.

Step six – once your claim is acceptedHere are some important things to know about how Unemployment Cover works:

• We’ll make your payments monthly in arrears. As there’s no deferred period for Unemployment Cover this means your first payment will be made one month after we confirm that all the plan terms and conditions have been met.

• All of the terms and conditions that apply to your plan are stated in the plan details, which you’ll find within the Personal Menu Plan literature, and your cover summary. We’ll always consider your claim under these terms and conditions.

Once we accept the claim and establish a payment due date, we need to check you’re still unemployed or a full-time carer, on a monthly basis. To do this, we’ll ask you to complete and return a claim continuation form confirming you’re still eligible for Carer’s Allowance, Universal Credit and/or Job Seeker’s Allowance or the appropriate National Insurance credits by reason of unemployment. If you’re claiming Universal Credit and/or Job Seeker’s Allowance or National Insurance credits by reason of unemployment we’ll also ask you to provide evidence that you’re seeking employment such as copies of job applications, letters of confirmation, letters requesting interview or letters of refusal and bank statements showing receipt of your Universal Credit and/or Job Seeker’s Allowance for the appropriate month of claim.

Giving you full support throughout the processWe appreciate this can be a difficult time for you. To help and support you, our dedicated claims team will be on hand to guide you through all stages of the claims process.

Call us on 01285 626042

Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

Calls are charged at a local rate.

47G0489/3July 2019

Royal London1 Thistle Street, Edinburgh EH2 1DG

royallondon.com

We’re happy to provide your documents in a different format, such as Braille, large print or audio, just ask us when you get in touch.

All of our printed products are produced on stock which is from FSC® certified forests.

The Royal London Mutual Insurance Society Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. The firm is on the Financial Services

Register, registration number 117672. It provides life assurance and pensions. Registered in England and Wales number 99064. Registered office: 55 Gracechurch Street, London, EC3V 0RL. Royal London Marketing Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and introduces Royal London’s customers to other insurance companies. The firm is on the Financial Services Register, registration number 302391. Registered in

England and Wales number 4414137. Registered office: 55 Gracechurch Street, London, EC3V 0RL.

Personal support whenever you need itGood protection is about more than money. That’s why your plan comes with Helping Hand – a comprehensive support service. It’s available to you and your family (partner and children) from the day your plan starts. And it doesn’t cost anything extra to use.

Helping Hand can help you get back into work by providing access to independent advice on returning to employment or making a career change.

You’ll have access to a career helpline for support on how to widen your skills, research the job market and write a great CV. While the legal helpline is available to assist you with any questions on your employment rights.

Dedicated nurse serviceWe’ll also give you access to a dedicated nurse who’ll give you support and advice for as long as you need it. And they can arrange additional services to help you, such as counselling, stress management advice or complementary therapies. If you’ve given up work to look after a relative full time, you could find this service particularly helpful.

Helping Hand is a package of support services provided by third parties that aren’t regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. These services aren’t part of our terms and conditions so can be amended or withdrawn at any time.