ASU Matrix

The ASU Matrix is a practical, side-by-side guide to Accident, Sickness & Unemployment products. It gives advisers a clear, at-a-glance view of provider options and helps quickly identify suitable solutions for clients who may not fit traditional Income Protection. Designed to be simple, accessible, and adviser-focused, the matrix supports better conversations with clients and provides a valuable alternative to traditional IP. For the best experience, we recommend viewing the matrix on a laptop or desktop.

	Short Term Income Protection (ASU)
Product Name					Important information
Administrator					BEST - Administer application paperwork and product support MMS - Administer application paperwork, claims and product support TRENT - Administer application paperwork, claims and product support
Underwriter	Great American International Insurance (UK) Limited	Arch insurance (UK) Ltd	AmTrust Specialty Ltd	AmTrust Specialty Ltd	Insurer underwriting the product
Benefit term options	12 months	Either 6 months or 12 months	12 months	12 months	Pre-existing medical conditions are not covered until clear for 24 months from when cleared of condition Back and Stress conditions are only covered when under the care of a specialist or consultant (not just a GP)
Cover type options	1. Accident & Sickness (AS) 2. Accident, Sickness & Unemployment (ASU)	1. Accident & Sickness (AS) 2. Accident, Sickness & Unemployment (ASU) 3. Unemployment Only (U only)	1. Accident & Sickness (AS) 2. Accident, Sickness & Unemployment (ASU)	1. Accident & Sickness (AS) 2. Accident, Sickness & Unemployment (ASU)
Unemployment initial Exclusion period (IEP)	120 Days	120 Days	120 Days	120 Days	The period in which a claim for unemployment cannot be made within the initial exclusion period after arranging the policy.
ASU Excess Options	30/60 days	Day 1/30/60 days	Day 1/30/60/180 days	Day 1/30/60 days	The excess period is the time you wait (exclusion period) before a claim period begins and the minimum claim period is 30 days (Claim start date). Click here for an example of this .
AS Excess Options	30/60 days	Day 1/30/ 60 days	Day 1/30/ 60/ 90/ 180 days	Day 1/30/60 days
U Only Excess Options	N/A	Day 1/30/ 60 days	N/A	N/A
Split Excess AS v U	No	No	Yes	No	Flexibility to tailor separate AS and U Excesses.
Minimum/Maximum Ages at inception	18 - 63	18 - 62	18 - 63	21 - 63
Overall upper salary cap	£119,999	£199,999	£149,999	£149,999	Customer will be ineligible for cover if their salary exceeds this figure.
Maximum benefit level	Lowest of maximum 65% of salary or £2,000 pm benefit	Lowest of maximum 65% of salary or £2,750 pm benefit	Lowest of maximum 65% of salary or £2,000 pm benefit	Lowest of maximum 65% of salary or £2,500 pm benefit
Minimum Length of Employment prior to application	6 months with same employer	6 months with same employer	6 months	6 months
Employment Status eligibility (Check Administrators Watchlist for any excluded occupations, industry categories or companies).	Must be working a minimum of 16 hours pw AS & ASU Available to Employed only	Must be working a minimum of 16 hours pw AS & ASU Available to Employed only	Must be working a minimum of 16 hours pw AS & ASU Available to Employed; Contract worker; Self-employed (See notes)	Must be working a minimum of 16 hours pw AS & ASU Available to Employed; Contract worker; Self-employed (See notes)	Flexibility to tailor separate AS and U Excesses.
Watchlist	Insurers may impose restrictions based on specific industry types or occupations, such as professional or semi-professional sports, hair and beauty, the legal profession etc. Restrictions may be influenced by salary levels and/or occupation Various employer restrictions may be applied based on publicly available information of mergers, restructures, and other organisational changes. Watchlist restrictions can affect AS and/or ASU products, or solely the Unemployment component of an ASU product.				All insurers have an Occupations and/or Industry Watchlist where certain occupations, companies and industries are excluded from cover. Contact the Administrators for full details.
Transfer of Cover	Unemployment -existing policy held for 6 months and no claims within previous 6 months.	Unemployment -existing policy held for 12 months and no claims within previous 12 months.	Unemployment - In work for at least 6 months and their existing policy held for at least six consecutive months. AS - No claims in last 2 years	Unemployment - In work for at least 6 months and their existing policy held for at least six consecutive months. AS - No claims in last 2 years	Existing client policies can be transferred to to a new provider.
Company Directors Eligibility	Discuss eligibility with Administrator. Applicants who are Directors in name only - e.g. Sales Director, and do not hold shares in the company are eligible, subject to any Insurer watchlist. Restrictions generally applicable to Unemployment cover.
Additional benefits	N/A	Back to Work Service - Following a claim, clients have the benefit of a support layer offering practical personalised guidance for a smooth transition from claim back into work	Clinic in a Pocket - to use at any time not just when you need to claim. Offering: Digital GP access 24/7 Second medical opinion service Mental health Support (counselling service) Physiotherapy service (remote)	Clinic in a Pocket - to use at any time not just when you need to claim. Offering: Digital GP access 24/7 Health MOT Mental health Support (counselling service) Physiotherapy service (remote)	Please note : Clinic in a pocket is a free additional service but does not form part of the policy contract and can be removed at any time.
Want to sell this product? Request an Agency.	BEST Insurance Agency Request	MMS Agency Request	Trent Services Agency Request	REALM Protection Agency Request	Contact the appropriate administrators to set up an Agency.
Prefer to refer?	You can signpost customers to Howden Life & Health and benefit from a share of the commission. Simply submit your customers details via the link HERE .				Reasons to refer: Helps avoid foreseeable harm - Protects clients from financial harm if they can’t work. Supports good customer outcomes - Improves outcomes through tailored, expert advice to improve financial resilience, aligning with the Consumer Duty’s focus on fair value and consumer understanding Shows you’re acting in the customers best interest by proactive engagement and documenting referrals Supports compliance with FCA expectations providing a clear audit trail.