Scottish Widows to add protection products to iPipeline’s Advanced Underwriting platform

CHELTENHAM, UK— 20 January 2026— Scottish Widows has committed to adding its life, critical illness and income protection products to iPipeline’s Advanced Underwriting adviser platform, available exclusively through leading quote and comparison portal SolutionBuilder in 2026.

Scottish Widows becomes the fourth provider to announce their plans to join the Advanced Underwriting platform, alongside The Exeter, Vitality and Zurich, underlining growth trajectory in the protection market.

The groundbreaking platform was launched to all advisers via SolutionBuilder® in September. Advanced Underwriting, developed in collaboration with advisers, captures upfront information to assess the top 20 most common medical disclosures. These typically account for up to 80% of all medical loadings and changes in terms post-application.

This innovation means faster, more reliable protection quotes and earlier indicative underwriting decisions - helping advisers work more efficiently and deliver even better results. 

Scott Cadger, Head of Product, Underwriting and Claims at Scottish Widows, said: “Our overarching approach to underwriting is about being transparent, so customers and advisers alike can make informed choices when selecting and buying protection cover. The Advanced Underwriting proposition in SolutionBuilder allows customers with health disclosures to get a more accurate position of the cost of cover, reducing the chance of surprises further into the buying journey. It also supports advisers to have more tailored conversations around the right provider for that client.”

Rachel Edwards, Managing Director UK of iPipeline said: 

“We’re delighted that the number of providers using Advanced Underwriting is expanding and it’s fantastic to now have Scottish Widows onboarding to the platform. The engagement from providers has been terrific and as more join the platform, we are bringing real change to the protection market. It helps advisers provide a faster, more accurate service to their clients, making the protection journey not only quicker but more transparent, helping people to get the cover that they need.”

Siobhan Brookes, Company Director and Mortgage and Protection Adviser at Folan Brookes Financial Consultants added:

“Previously, if there were some criteria that I need to check before submitting an application, I’d have to go through pre-application inquiries with each provider individually. Now with Advanced Underwriting I go to Solution Builder, input the information and immediately get an indication of what the quotes are likely to be. This puts me in a really great position in front of my client and produces a better outcome for everybody.”