So what are the extra benefits?

The protection industry has moved on from pure insurance cover towards a focus on the individuals’ health and wellbeing, both mentally and physically and the importance of offering additional benefits has grown. Many of these services come at little extra cost and, in many cases are included in the premium, to be used by spouses, partners or children.

Over the course of the pandemic, there has been an increased interest in the use of services such as virtual GPs.

During the initial fact-find with our clients, we identify the overall needs. As individuals and as a family. These help to guide us to which insurers will offer the most useful benefits, not just the cheapest premium.  

For employers building, employee benefits programmes can improve a company’s retention, recruitment, productivity and culture. This can be a valuable part of an employee’s benefits package. 

Additional benefits can include:

  • Virtual GPs
  • Counseling
  • Mental health support
  • Return-to-work support
  • Second medical opinion
  • Physical rehabilitation
  • Bereavement support for children
  • Retraining and CV writing skills
  • Discounted gym membership or wearables
  • Vouchers for healthy food choices, such as Whole Foods

The Founder of Future Proof – David Mead is a key member of the Protection Distributors Group (PDG). Its mission is to help people find the protection they need by encouraging insurers and intermediaries to deliver better consumer outcomes. One of the campaigns that David has been involved in is the Funeral Payment Pledge. An important benefit to all protection clients.

Paying a claim is the moment of truth for insurance companies. Of course, we know that many claims are paid quickly, but some are still held up by probate leaving families waiting months or even years for the money.

To ensure that families can pay the funeral costs, the PDG has asked insurers to offer to advance some funds directly to the funeral director where no other arrangements have been made. An advance of this nature could make a real difference.

Some insurers already did this but on a case-by-case basis, but the PDG ask as part of the pledge that this is done proactively on each delayed claim.

The three things the PDG ask insurers to pledge are:

1

To advance a minimum of £5,000 to a funeral director when they otherwise can’t pay the claim due to probate delays, etc.

2

To pro-actively offer this in every case where there is a delay.

3

To pay the funeral director after you’ve fully assessed and accepted the claim to ensure that there was no non-disclosure.