The economic downturn might have spurred a recent surge in new policies, but underinsurance remains a chronic problem in Australia.

It isn’t helped by the clunky application process still provided by many group insurance vendors. Too many super fund members are getting part of the way into purchasing cover before being deterred by lengthy forms and onerous medical evidence requirements.

So how can funds maximise their members’ opportunity to take out cover? Does every fund require online STP technology to deal with the problem? Will all members want to, and be able to, access this technology?

Or would it be better to enable tele-underwriting and case management, through member administrators, to simplify applications and claims?

Last month, CommInsure and Investment & Technology Magazine hosted a roundtable to find out how funds, insurers and administrators can overcome the roadblocks to better group cover.