• Benefit payable from day 1 or 4, 13, 26 and 52 weeks of illness or injury
• Retirement ages of 55 or 60
• No Occupational Premium Loadings
• No Smoker Premium Loadings
• Constant or reducing benefit
  (Reducing benefit is available for Day One cover only)
• Escalating benefit option – payable after 52 weeks of claim. Benefit will escalate by 3% and will continue to increase at that rate for every year the claim is valid
• Tax free lump sum at end of policy
  (Free from UK personal income tax and capital gains tax under current legislation)
• Double Bond option – benefit levels are unchanged but additional subscriptions will double the amount of bonus apportionment awarded annually.

• Employed Original payslips or most recent P60
• Self-employed Most recent business accounts or Inland Revenue Return

Accountant, Administrator, Architect, Barrister, Computer Consultant, Chiropractor, Complementary Therapist, Dentist, Doctor, Engineer, Hygienist, Manager, Nurse, Osteopath, Plumber, Solicitor, Surgeon, Vet

In order to make a fair and accurate assessment we will consider your health, occupation, family health history and lifestyle. If, subsequently we find that information which would have affected our decision was not included on the application form, we may reject the application or the policy could become invalid when a claim is made and no benefit would be payable.

We may contact your doctor for a medical report, ask you to attend a medical examination or request for tests to be carried out at our expense. There are also additional questionnaires which we may ask you to complete.

• Drug or alcohol misuse
• Disorderly conduct
• Wilful self inflicted injury
• Pregnancy
• Hazardous pursuits
• Sterilisation other than on medical grounds
• Any surgery or treatment not certified to be necessary on health grounds
• War, invasion, riot or usurped power
• Flying other than as a fare paying passenger on a recognised air route
• AIDS or HIV and any related conditions

Certain exclusions can be reviewed in the future if the policy holder is no longer suffering with that condition and no further medical treatment is required. However, a review does not necessarily mean that the exclusion will be removed. It is your responsibility to contact us if you would like an exclusion reviewed as this does not happen automatically and you may incur the costs for any additional medical reports or examinations required.

Exclusions may be applied; this decision would be based upon the nature of the activity, how often it is pursued, the deferment period requested and whether the applicant has previously had any injuries resulting from the activity. Please note that the following conditions are routinely excluded:-

• Any form of Diving
• Private Flying
• Competitive Horse Riding
• Competitive Motor Sports
• Sailing and/or Surfing
• Martial Arts
• Mountaineering and/or Rock Climbing

Please be aware that this list is not exhaustive and other pursuits may also be excluded.

Each year the DG Mutual makes an allocation of profits in the form of bonus apportionment to members at a rate agreed by the Committee of Management. Under current legislation this is tax free.

To maximise investment returns a Terminal Bonus is paid at the chosen retirement age. A Terminal Bonus is not guaranteed and is not payable if the policy is terminated early.

Annual Statements showing the allocation of bonus apportionment and capital account balance are sent to policy holders.

Our current practice is to invest funds in:

• Deposit Accounts
• Fixed Interest
• Long dated government stocks
• Equities – UK and Overseas

When you have accepted the terms offered cover will commence on the 1st of the month. Please note start dates cannot be backdated. Subscriptions must be paid in Pound Sterling by either Direct Debit, credit card, cheque or Bankers Draft. Direct Debits are collected on or around the 2nd of each month.

Income protection from the dg mutual is designed to be flexible. Benefit levels and deferment periods can be amended if your circumstances change. A reduction in deferment periods or an increase to benefit levels will be subject to further underwriting. Increase to benefit levels are allowed up to age 50.

We need to be informed immediately of any changes to the following circumstances as this could result in amended terms or withdrawal of cover.

• Change of residence
• Increase or decrease in earnings
• Change of occupation
• Any changes to employer sick pay arrangements
• Unemployment
• Retirement

If you are unsure as to whether a change may affect an entitlement, please contact us.

In order to claim you must be totally unable to perform the essential duties of your occupation and of any other occupation suited by training, education, or experience, and not be following any other occupation for profit or reward.

Income insurance protection cover is available per £20 bond from £60 per week (£3,120 per annum) to £1,200 per week (£62,400 per annum). The maximum benefit payable is 66% of you gross annual earnings less other continuing income and is based on pre-incapacity earnings.

• If you are employed their income is their pre-tax earnings for PAYE
• If you are self employed their income is calculated as their share of pre-tax profits from their business 

Income received from state benefits, savings and investments are not taken into account, but continuing income from employment or other health related insurance payments will be.

We will consider the nature and length of the claim, whether a member would receive continuing income and from what source, their occupation and ability to practice it. We will require evidence that you are under medical care from a registered medical practitioner and that all recommended investigations and treatments are being carried out. In addition, please note that certified proof of earnings may be required.

A benefit week is six days and payments will continue until recovery subject to progress medical reports and examinations deemed necessary. Benefit is paid in Pound Sterling on a weekly or monthly basis by direct credit or cheque.

Benefit will be reduced if any of the following will take you over the 66% maximum benefit allowed:

• Earnings or sick pay you may still be receiving
• Benefit payments you are receiving from protection or sickness plans with other companies
• Pension payments, unless you received whilst working

If you are receiving benefit from us as a result of illness or accident and could return to the occupation which they were doing prior to their incapacity on a part time or other reduced capacity basis, they may be eligible to receive proportionate benefit.This is a part payment of sickness benefit from us to assist you.

If you claims again for the same incapacity within 13 weeks of returning to work then any deferment period will not apply.

It is important for you to be aware before cancelling that if they wish to restart the policy at a later date they will have to complete a new application form, full medical underwriting will be required and the same terms may not be offered.

If the policy is cancelled before the chosen retirement date there may be a cash sum payable. The length of membership will dictate if you are entitled to this sum and if any forfeiture penalty needs to be applied.

Many useful forms and sales aids can be found in the document library including Product Brochure, Key Features, Subscription Rates, Commission Rates, Application Form, Claim Form, Annual Report and Financial Statements.

Terms will not be offered until a Money Laundering Certificate (which can be downloaded from our website) or suitable proof of identity has been received in support of the application.

After your application has been accepted they will receive a ‘Cancellation Notice’ which confirms they will have 30 days in which they can change their mind.  

In legal disputes, the Law of England and Wales will apply.

If you are unhappy about any aspect of the service from the DG Mutual, you can contact the Chief Executive at our registered address or e-mail us at complaints@dgmutual.co.uk. Copies of our internal complaints handling procedure are available on request. Complaints we cannot settle may be referred to the Financial Ombudsman Service. Making a complaint will not prejudice the right to take legal proceedings.

The DG Mutual is covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). Your may be entitled to compensation from the scheme if we cannot meet our obligations. This depends on the type of business and the circumstances of the claim. Most insurance contracts are covered for 100% of the first £2000 and 90% of the remainder of the claim. Further information about the compensation scheme is available from the FSCS.

The Society’s Rule Book is available upon request.

The information in this guide is based on the dg mutual’s understanding of current legislation and Inland Revenue practice which may change in the future.

You may find it beneficial if this guide is read in conjunction with the relevant Key Features document. Your personal illustration is supplied in the prescribed format as laid down by the Financial Services Authority. The amount of tax free cash sum on the illustration is an example and will depend on the Society’s investment performance, its administration costs and the level of claims made by the members.

The dg mutual does not give advice. It is important, therefore, that you understand how this policy works and what the risks are before you buy.