- Cases underwritten in less than one day on average1
- Instant decision rates rise 5% across Guardian’s Protection range2
- Income Protection instant decisions up by just over 14%3
- New mental health underwriting approach delivers instant decisions for an average of 97% of applicants who disclose2
Guardian has reduced average underwriting times to less than one day in H1 2026, down from 3 days in 2025, supporting advisers to place business more quickly and secure cover for clients sooner. Internal data for H1 2026 also shows that cases requiring medical evidence are now underwritten in an average of less than 1.5 days4.
Alongside this, Guardian increased its instant decision rate at the start of the year by 5% across its entire Protection range. This includes a just over 14% increase in instant decisions for Income Protection and a 2% rise for Life Protection, driven by targeted underwriting rule changes and deepening expertise through new underwriting hires5. As a result, around 75% of applicants now receive an immediate decision at application6.
Guardian’s focus on underwriting comes after the Protection Distribution Group published its latest Protection Insights Report 2026. It found that almost two-thirds (59%) of advisers who reported barriers to writing more protection cited inefficient underwriting processes that were taking too long to get clients on risk7.
To address this challenge, Guardian has introduced a series of enhancements designed to reduce friction in the application process and increase the number of customers receiving instant decisions.
Clearer decisions for clients with mental health conditions
This includes updated underwriting rules for mental health disclosures, reflecting the growing number of people affected by conditions such as anxiety and moderate depression. Mind’s latest Big Mental Health Report shows that 1 in 5 adults in England are currently living with a common mental health problem8.
Under Guardian’s revised approach, 97% of applicants received an instant decision on their life cover in June 2026 compared with 87% in June 2025. Of those applicants in June 2026, 90% were offered standard terms9.
Commenting on the improvements, Caroline Froude, Head of Underwriting Strategy and Development at Guardian, said: “We’re really encouraged to see more customers receiving instant decisions when they apply for cover with us. Improving the underwriting journey is a key priority, and these results show the progress we’re making. Even cases requiring underwriting are processed in just 1.5 days and in many cases, less.
“Our aim is always to offer fair and consistent outcomes. As conditions such as mental health affect more people, our products and underwriting approach need to evolve so we can support more applicants.
“We’re already working on similar improvements for other common disclosures, such as cholesterol, to ensure the process remains fast, simple and tailored to each customer.”
Service improvements
Guardian has continued to invest in its underwriting capability, increasing team headcount by 35% following significant recruitment towards the end of 2025, with further hires planned throughout the rest of 202610.
Alongside this, service standards across Guardian’s wider support teams have continued to improve. Latest data shows adviser calls are now answered in an average of just 52 seconds11.
Chloe Davies, Head of Protection Distribution & Provider Relationships, L&C Mortgages: “Underwriting speed can make or break the customer take up of a protection recommendation. When clients have to wait weeks for a decision, they often lose momentum or reconsider altogether. Improvements that increase the number of instant decisions and reduce delays make a real difference because they help advisers secure cover for customers quickly and keep the process straightforward.”
1Based on applications received by Guardian in H1 2026
2Based on applications received by Guardian in June 2026 when updates were applied compared to applications received in June 2025
3Based on applications received by Guardian in June 2026 when updates were applied compared to applications received in June 2025
4Based on applications received by Guardian in H1 2026
5Based on applications received by Guardian in June 2026 when updates were applied compared to applications received in June 2025
6Based on applications received by Guardian in H1 2026
7Protection Distributors Group, Protection Insights Report 2026 part I, February 2026
8Mind, The Big Mental Health Report 2025, October 2025
9Based on applications received by Guardian in June 2026 when updates were applied compared to applications received in June 2025
10Guardian new underwriting hires in Q4 2025
11Based on calls from advisers received by Guardian during H1 2026
-Release ends-
Notes to editors:
Press enquiries to Nicola Cannings [email protected] 07713 669 899 or Ruby Hinchliffe [email protected] 07415 034 997
Guardian Financial Services is an appointed representative of Scottish Friendly Assurance Society Limited which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.
All products are provided by Scottish Friendly Assurance Society Limited and we have an agreement with them to underwrite and issue the protection policies we distribute through the UK intermediary channel.
As an appointed representative of Scottish Friendly Assurance Society Limited, Guardian Financial Services Limited is the market-facing brand under which we promote our proposition and engage with advisers.
Background to Guardian Financial Services, owned by Gryphon Group Holdings
Guardian, the life and protection insurance business, launched in 2018 and pledged to grow the protection market. The brand promise of ‘Life. Made Better.’ reflects the company’s commitment to rethink and reinvent protection for the better; making sure customers get cover that’s easier to understand, simple to buy and designed to never let them down.
Guardian’s business partners
Gryphon Group Holdings is majority owned by Punter Southall Group as the largest equity capital investor. Guardian partners with UnderwriteMe for its Underwriting Engine, Liss Systems, the UK arm of Nasdaq-listed EXL, for its policy administration technology, and Space, for its front-end technology, branding and marketing. Guardian’s reinsurance partners are Hannover Re, Gen Re and Swiss Re.