Finding Protection Solutions

The new Consumer Duty rules make it clear that all firms must now provide a solution to address their clients’ protection needs. Advisers will no longer be able to postpone protection conversations until a later date, and instead, will need to address the customer’s needs in order to avoid foreseeable harm for the client in question.

As an example, the very basic question which needs to be addressed here is what would the client do if they were, for any reason, unable to keep up payments on their mortgage? That is a potential outcome of providing advice and a recommendation on a mortgage, and therefore (at the very least) the adviser has to address the protection policies the client has in place, or rather doesn’t have, to address that potential outcome.

In the FCA’s FG22/5 ‘Final non-Handbook Guidance for firms on the Consumer Duty’, it states “Where a firm declines to provide a customer with a particular product or service, the firm should still consider whether there is information or support it could provide to help the customer pursue their financial objectives”. Keep reading to understand how Paradigm and Howden Life & Health and The Insurance Surgery can help you to meet this requirement.

At Paradigm, we can support you in either developing protection solutions within your own firm, or referring your protection business to a Protection Specialist, with a no cross sale guarantee, in order to address these needs. We have chosen to partner with Howden Life & Health, and The Insurance Surgery for specialist risks. Please see below for more details about their proposition.

Howden Life & Health

 

About Howden Life & Health

Howden Life & Health is an award-winning* specialist insurance broker, providing access to a wide range of life and health insurance policies. Committed to delivering personalised and impartial advice, Howden simplifies the process of finding the right cover by comparing options across the market.

With over 170,000 clients, Howden understands that every individual has unique needs. Their team of experienced advisers is dedicated to offering tailored solutions that reflect each client’s specific circumstances, budget, and lifestyle, providing guidance every step of the way to ensure clarity and confidence in their choices. Our specialist areas are life insurance, private medical insurance, income protection, accident sickness and unemployment cover.

Howden Life & Health are proud to be founding members of the Protection Distributors Group (PDG) and executive members of The Association Of Medical Insurers and Intermediaries (AMII).

Howden Life & Health is a Trading style of Howden Employee Benefits & Wellbeing Limited which is part of the Howden Group. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Financial Services Register No. 312841).

Why trust Howden Life & Health?

• Recognised excellence: *Named Insurance Broker of the Decade at the British Insurance Awards 2024, Howden is known for its commitment to high standards of service and customer care.
• Independent, impartial advice: By working with a variety of providers, Howden offers a comprehensive view of the market, ensuring recommendations are unbiased and focused on what’s best for each client.
• Tailored solutions with expert underwriting guidance: Understanding that no two clients are the same, Howden provides personalised advice that considers individual health histories, unique requirements, and offers expert guidance on underwriting options.
• Free service and comprehensive support: From comparing policies to managing renewals, Howden provides their expertise and support at no extra cost to the client, ensuring a seamless experience throughout the insurance journey.
• Commitment to value: With a Price Promise Guarantee, Howden matches any lower price found for the same cover and provides a personalised cashback, ensuring clients get the best value for their money.
• Highly rated by clients: With a 4.9-star rating, Howden Life & Health is consistently recognised for its dedication to reliability and customer satisfaction.

Refer a client

To refer a client to us, please click here and complete the short form which includes providing your firm’s details and information about your client.

Contact us

If you’d like to speak to us, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can call us on 0808 196 8837 or email [email protected].

The Insurance Surgery

Specialist Protection Referral Options

At Paradigm Protect, we know that not every client fits standard protection criteria. That’s why we’ve partnered with The Insurance Surgery, an award-winning and leading specialist in protection cases, to ensure your clients get the expert support they need.

Who is The Insurance Surgery?

With over 25 years of expertise, The Insurance Surgery is a specialist protection broker helping clients with medical conditions, high-risk occupations, extreme sports, and other complex insurance needs. Their access to a broad range of insurers and exclusive products ensures solutions even for the most challenging cases.

When to Refer?

• Medical conditions that are causing hurdles (e.g. diabetes, cancer, heart conditions)
• Lack of time to search the market
• Unable to access the right insurers
• Clients declined cover
• High-risk occupations (e.g. offshore workers, pilots, divers)
• Extreme sports enthusiasts (e.g. climbers, motor racing)
• Clients who are living abroad 

Types of Protection Covered

• Business Protection
• Private Medical Insurance (PMI)
• Income Protection
• Expat Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Family Income Benefit
• Critical Illness Cover
• Over 50's Cover
• Whole of Life & Inter Vivos Policies
  

How does it work?

Referring to The Insurance Surgery is straightforward. They offer a fully advised service, managing each case from start to finish, completing suitability reports and keeping you updated along the way. 

Why refer to The Insurance Surgery?

• Better outcomes for complex cases: 86% of clients have at least one medical condition. The Insurance Surgery has access to the whole of market, alternative providers, and exclusive pilots.
• Expert underwriting knowledge: Their advisers navigate medical and high-risk cases to secure the best possible terms.
• Dedicated support: Your client works with a dedicated adviser, and you’ll have direct contact with their BDM team for case discussions.
• Real-time tracking: A live dashboard lets you monitor every referral in real time.
• Clear, transparent process: Regular updates to ensure full visibility throughout the journey.
• Our advice is completely free: They do not charge customers for advice or support.
• Rated Excellent on Trustpilot: The Insurance Surgery are rated 5-star. Check out some of our reviews below!
• Awarded Best Specialist Protection Broker in 2023 & 2024: Recognised as a reputable referral partner, working with over 200 partners across 3 networks.