Norwich Union has launched a new "Protection Promise" for life insurance policyholders.

From 17th October the Protection Promise applies to both term assurance and mortgage life insurance products and provides the following benefits for policyholders:

• Free life cover between application and acceptance of a policy (for a maximum of three months)


• The amount payable on death is either twice the sum assured, or £1million, whichever is lower.

Norwich Union's current offer of accidental death benefit between application and acceptance of term assurance policies will be suspended for the period of this offer. However, current terms relating to free life cover on mortgage life insurance products will still apply.

Norwich Union's Protection Promise does not cover death by suicide, pre-existing conditions at the time of application or critical illness claims.

Head of risk products at Norwich Union, Lawrence Jackson, said: "The Protection Promise is a great development for our customers and advisers. By placing customers 'on risk' as soon as we receive an application we are giving them security and peace of mind throughout the application process."