THE METHODS OF LIFE ASSURANCE OFFICES [To the Editor of
the SPECTATOR.] ,SIB,—I think it could be proved to your correspondent " Job " (who wrote you a letter on this subject some weeks ago) that whilst there is a certain class of insurance . companies who set Jong questionnaires, &c., the others, which are in a large majority, are businesslike and courteous. I enclose as examples, proposal forms of three companies -from which you will see that the questionnaires are not :unreasonably long, that the registered cause of death of deceased `instant relativis is not asked, th;if there is no laithiaiiiev
list of diseases, that the proposer is not asked whether he has ever kept a public-house or been in a home for inebriates, and that in one case the names and addresses of two references are not deinanded. I can assure your correspondent that the, medical examination can usually be arranged in a couple of days, that the decision will be made known within a week or less after that, and that if the proposal is accepted and the premium paid the policy will be issued within a further week. (As a matter of fact many good companies accept assurancet for quite substantial amounts up to the age of 50 without medical examination.)
I am sure that the solution of the difficulties of such at " Job " is to consult a good insurance broker when taking out a life policy, just as he would consult an architect ii building a house or a solicitor on legal matters. A policy is an agreement and should be as expertly scrutinized as when entering into any other important contract. A reputable firm of insurance brokers will select the best company for their client (thus saving him the trouble of inquiring from say half a dozen companies and doubtless being pestered by their official representatives) and will not advise him to put his insurance with a company merely because it pays them a higher commission. Insurers do not pay a fee or any commission to insurance brokers, the latter being allowed a percentage by the companies with whom the insurance is effected.—I am, Sir, &e., " Rockwood," Lymm, Cheshire. B. B. OuvrigeD.
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