Protection and life assurance advice, built around what matters most

A common starting point is to consider what you want the money to do. For many people that means clearing an outstanding mortgage and replacing lost income for a period while dependants are young or until other financial provision takes over. The right amount depends on your debts, dependants, existing cover and what your family could manage financially without your income. We work through this with you to recommend a suitable level of cover.

The terms are often used interchangeably, but there is a technical distinction. Life assurance traditionally refers to whole-of-life policies, which run indefinitely and pay out whenever you die. Life insurance typically refers to term policies, which run for a fixed period and pay out only if you die within that term. Most mortgage-linked and family protection policies are term-based.

Critical illness policies pay a tax-free lump sum on diagnosis of one of the conditions listed in the policy, which typically includes serious illnesses such as certain cancers, heart attack and stroke. The exact list of covered conditions varies between providers, which is one reason why comparing policies on premium alone misses important detail. We review the policy definitions as well as the cost when making a recommendation.

An income protection policy pays a monthly benefit if you are unable to work due to illness or injury. There is typically a deferred period before payments begin, often one, three or six months, and you can choose how long the benefit continues. Unlike payment protection insurance, a well-structured income protection policy covers long-term illness and can run until your chosen retirement age.

Employer-provided benefits such as death-in-service and group income protection can be valuable, but they come with limitations. Benefits are linked to your employment and stop when you leave, and they rarely cover critical illness. Understanding exactly what your employer provides is a useful first step, but many people benefit from having personal cover alongside it, particularly if they have significant financial commitments.

Yes. There are specific protection structures designed for business owners, including relevant life policies, which provide life cover in a tax-efficient way through a business, and key person cover, which protects a business against the financial impact of losing a director or key employee. We advise on both personal and business protection needs.