Equity Release

Equity Release is an important decision, so you'll want to be sure that it's right for you. We're here to help you every step of the way - from understanding your options and making your decision, right through to receiving your money. Here's an outline of our recommended next steps.

This is a lifetime mortgage or home reversion plan. To understand the features and risks, ask for a personalised illustration.

Talk to a Norwich Union adviser

Our expert advisers will be able to answer your questions and help you understand which solution may best suit your personal circumstances. Simply call us on 0800 404 6220* to book an appointment and one of our advisers will visit you at home for an introductory meeting at which they'll talk you through all the options available to you.

There is no obligation to proceed after this meeting.
Any advice given will relate only to the plans sold or marketed by Norwich Union.

Think it over

There's no pressure and no hurry. It's important to consider everything carefully before making a decision. This includes talking things through with your family.

Ready to go ahead? Here's what happens next

• Get a personalised illustration
  Once you've had your first appointment with one of our advisers, you need to request a personalised illustration that explains the costs and risks involved. One of our advisers will present this to you at your second appointment.

• Fill in the application form
  If you want to proceed with the plan you've chosen, one of our advisers will help you complete the application form. We've taken care to make sure all of our paperwork is as clear and straightforward as possible - see our service promise for more information.

• Receive your offer
  Once your application has been submitted, a valuation will be carried out on your property - you'll have to pay a fee for this - and you'll then receive your offer. The next step is to take independent legal advice before signing the documentation.

• Receive your money
  The money will be paid to you via your solicitor, after which you can concentrate on enjoying your retirement and doing all the things you planned to do.

Our service promise

At Norwich Union, we aim to make equity release as easy as possible for our customers. That's why we've created our Equity Release Service Promise - that shows clearly how we'll support you before, during and after your application for an equity release plan.

We promise to:

• Process your application within five working days of receipt at our Norwich address, as long as:

  • the application form is fully and accurately completed
  • the correct valuation fee and necessary supporting documents have been received.

• Instruct an appointed valuer within these five working days where the application meets our lending criteria.

• Prepare the offer documents within five working days of receipt of an acceptable valuation report at our Norwich address.

• Assign a ‘case owner’ once your offer has been issued. They will contact you to discuss how we can help your application progress and maintain contact with you until your funds are released.

• Keep you informed of any matters that delay your application, on the rare occasion that this occurs.

• Provide you with direct access to our Customer Information Line. This dedicated team of experts will be pleased to assist with any queries you may have.

• Call you if we cannot process your application within our Service Promise.

• Explain why and inform you if we need any additional information.

• Provide you with as much help and support as you may need after your equity release plan has completed.

Call us on 0800 404 6220* to book an appointment. Any advice given will relate only to the products sold or marketed by Norwich Union.

* Lines are open Monday to Friday 8am - 8pm, Saturday 9am - 5pm and Sunday 10am - 4pm. Calls may be recorded and/or monitored.

Norwich Union Equity Release Limited. Registered in England No 3286484. Registered office 2 Rougier Street York YO90 1UU. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

WC07050 10/2008