Renewing your group insurance policy might not be the most exciting date in your calendar, but it can have a huge impact on your people and your budget. Whether you’re managing group life insurance, group health insurance, group income protection, or another employee benefit, the renewal period is your opportunity to double-check that your cover is still right for your team, ensure you’re getting value, and set your employees up for another year of protection and wellbeing.To help make sense of the process, we sat down with the YuLife policy team to answer some of the most common questions HR leaders ask about the renewal process with YuLife. Here's what you need to know.Q: Can you walk us through the YuLife renewal process from start to finish?Of course! For both direct clients and those working with brokers, we request updated membership data each year on the policy anniversary. If it’s a rate review year, your insurer will require additional information to reassess pricing.At anniversary: Once we receive the data, we send it to the insurer, who issues accounts showing premiums for the coming year, along with any reconciliations for the previous period.At rate review: The insurer assesses the data and provides new terms, which will apply for the next two or three years, depending on the policy. We then apply our YuLife costs and present the full picture to you or your broker.For PMI and dental, renewal is an annual process. Brokers may also carry out their own market review behind the scenes, comparing terms across insurers.Q: When should HR teams expect to hear from us about renewal?We send automated renewal notices to the main broker or client contact:6 weeks before the anniversary date3 months before a rate reviewFor PMI and dental, brokers can often retrieve their renewal terms directly. If you’re a direct client, you’ll be contacted by a member of our Customer Success Growth team to walk you through the next steps.Q: What documents or information do we typically require from clients ahead of renewal?Our pre-renewal emails clearly outline what’s needed, but here’s a quick summary:For anniversary updates: membership data (eg, names, dates of birth, salaries, eligibility status)For rate reviews: additional disclosures such as details of long-term absentees, travel activity, or any significant changes to the businessWe know some of this data is already in our system, and in many cases we can use it if you confirm it's accurate. But insurers need explicit confirmation that the data is correct to ensure claims can be processed smoothly.Q: What factors influence changes in premiums at renewal?Premiums can change for a number of reasons. Insurers look at a combination of:Age and sex at birth of your workforceLocation and industry of your businessClaims history and utilisationLong-term absentees or medical underwritingBroader trends like medical inflationFor example, if your team has aged slightly or if there’s been a higher volume of claims, that can impact your renewal quote. These changes are often more noticeable in healthcare policies, where costs are reviewed annually.Q: How is wellbeing data or claims history factored into renewal conversations?Claims data is a key factor in any rate review. We’re regularly asked to provide scheme history to brokers so they can benchmark and carry out their own market comparisons.We’re also starting to receive more requests for wellbeing and app utilisation data. While it’s not yet a formal part of underwriting, more brokers and clients are keen to understand how employee engagement with benefits may support longer-term cost control. We’re happy to include this insight in renewal packs.Q: What are some of the most common questions or concerns we hear from HR teams?Some of the things we hear time and time again include:"Why has the premium gone up?""Why do you need our data again if it’s already in your system?""What do these reconciliations mean in the accounts?""Why can’t employees claim on PMI right now?"Most commonly, it’s about understanding why premiums have changed. The answer often lies in changes to headcount, age profile, or claims made over the last period. We also get lots of questions about data requests; while we do have the info in our system, insurers need a client-signed data confirmation for compliance and audit reasons.Q: Are there any misconceptions you encounter about how renewal works?Yes, a few. The biggest misconceptions we see:Some clients assume group risk cover ends if they haven’t submitted data. In fact, group risk is continuous: cover continues unless the policy is actively cancelled.In contrast, clients sometimes assume PMI or dental is continuous, but it’s not. If you don’t renew, claims can be paused after the renewal date. You have a six-week window, after which the policy is automatically cancelled unless renewed.Q: How does YuLife support clients through the renewal process, especially those without a broker?We’re not a call centre. When you reach out, you speak to someone who knows your scheme and can walk you through the process. We’ll:Explain any insurer documents or requestsShare required templates and formsSupport you through the data collectionFlag anything unusual or worth your attentionWhether it’s a simple anniversary or a full rate review, we’re here to help.Q: How does YuLife tailor the process for clients with small teams or limited HR resources?While our process is consistent for all clients, we understand that small teams may need more support. We offer detailed help with:Portal setup and data entryUnderstanding the implications of changes in headcount or salaryResponding to questions around taxation, eligibility, and master trustsFor anything highly technical or outside of our remit, we’ll liaise with your insurer and relay their response.Q: If a company’s headcount changes significantly, how does that impact renewal?Insurers allow for some fluctuation in lives covered — typically up to ±30%. If your employee count or sum assured changes by more than that threshold, the insurer may reassess the rate.That’s why it’s so important to review your technical guide and terms of business. These documents outline exactly when you’re required to notify changes. It’s also why we ask for updated data each year.Q: How is YuLife evolving the renewal process to make it more seamless?We’re always working to improve how renewal works. Two key areas we’ve focused on:Streamlining broker communication: We’ve enabled brokers to speak directly with insurers during renewal negotiations, reducing back-and-forth delays. We’re still involved to ensure accuracy and oversight, but the process moves faster.Combining tech with human touch: We’re developing tools to make your renewal pack more informative, such as showing year-on-year performance. But we won’t replace personal service. You’ll always be able to speak to someone who knows your scheme.We're also advocating with our insurer partners to modernise some of the more rigid processes and bring a preventative health mindset to the industry.