When Protection is more than just Insurance

When it comes to life insurance, there are many different ways to protect your needs and the needs of those important to you and it’s our job at J Finance to help you know what products are available and what might be suitable for your own personal circumstances.

One of our Protection Specialists, Claudine Bowen-Davies, is producing a series of articles on this topic, Claudine says “There is so much to talk about so my aim is to look at a different area of protection regularly. I am sure you will see the need for your own personal advice, tailored to suit your needs, especially as the different providers on the market all have their own unique offering, and that’s where we, as specialist advisers, can help”.

In this article, Claudine will look at the added benefits that can be obtained through protection providers when you take any type of policy with them. It’s important to note that these benefits can change at the insurers discretion. Let’s hand over to Claudine…

Since Covid came into all our lives, you may have noticed how difficult it can be to speak to a doctor on the telephone, let alone get an appointment to see one?  Well, we may have a solution for you. A lot of protection providers have value-added benefits that are automatically included within any policy they offer. Many of these provide access to a doctor and most include support to return to work after times of sickness. I have listed some of the major insurers in the market below with a brief overview of their value added benefits. This is not an exhaustive list but hopefully gives an idea of some of the added benefits you can receive with life policies.

Aviva - Introducing Aviva DigiCare+. From your policy start date, your Aviva policy gives you and your eligible immediate family access to the Aviva DigiCare+ app. This allows you to get the guidance and care you need to help prevent, detect and manage common physical and wellbeing problems.  Whether it’s getting a snapshot of your  current health or accessing specialists to answer health questions and find solutions, Aviva DigiCare+ can help you go beyond financial protection. 

Aviva DigiCare+ has a range of health and wellbeing benefits from third party providers. Worth over £700 a year, these benefits, plus many more, are available at no extra cost. These include access to an annual health check, nutritional consultations and mental health consultations too.

Zurich – Support Services. Available 24/7, 365 days a year to the policyholder and their eligible family. This includes legal support, debt and money management services, help with emotional issues including bereavement help, work concerns, relationship issues, daily living and mental health and covers up to six counselling sessions.  In addition, for each person that takes a new policy with Zurich, they plant a tree, partnering with Tree Nation! 

Legal and General – Wellbeing Support. This is included as standard within all life, critical illness, income protection and business protection. This is for the policyholder and their immediate family and gives access to help for practical and emotional support, Mental health issues, recovery from illness or injury including return to work help, physiotherapy and speech therapy. Second medical opinions where needed, dietary and lifestyle advice, serious and chronic illness management and help navigating the NHS and other health services, including social services. Later life planning is also included.

AIG - Smart Health. This gives you access to a team of health and wellbeing experts wherever you are in the world at no additional cost 24/7. You can access GP consultations either online or on the telephone, as well as fitness and nutrition plans and advice, mental health support and counselling, health checks and second opinions from doctors where needed.

LV - Doctor Services – 24/7 remote GP access.  You can get a private prescription without the need to visit your local GP, second opinions, remote physiotherapy or psychological support and discounted health MOT’s.

Royal London – Helping Hand – This is a wellbeing support service designed to help maintain a healthy lifestyle giving access to a range of hand-picked early care medical services to get the advice and help needed to stay fit and stop small health issues becoming big ones.  This is available for plan holders their partner and children. This also includes help with recovery and includes complimentary therapies also such as aromatherapy for stress management, reflexology for anxiety or hypnotherapy to help give up smoking for cardiac and stroke patients.

There is also a medical helpline, legal and career helplines too.

Vitality – Where to start with Vitality?  They have discounts on the price of your policy that will last as long as you remain active, discounts on a multitude of different partners including Apple Watch, Amazon Prime, Caffe Nero, American Express, Odeon Vue, and many more.

As you can see, there are many benefits and offers of assistance available, not just the peace of mind of an insurance pay-out if the worst happens, but to help you maintain your health, wealth and happiness throughout.

 You may have policies set up either with J Finance or elsewhere and wish to see if these benefits are available to you or you may have protection policies in place that you wish to check are still suitable. Alternatively a full review of your needs from scratch may be helpful to ensure you have the best cover and benefits for your personal circumstances. If you would like to discuss life insurance or any other financial matter, J Finance will be happy to help. Please contact us without obligation.

Either contact your adviser, email contact@jfinance.co.uk. or telephone 01635 521300 and mention this blog.

Claudine Bowen-Davies – Protection Specialist at J Finance.

Established in Berkshire in 2004, J Finance Ltd is one of the leading financial planning companies in the area. We serve clients across England and Wales. If you would like to discuss this subject or any other financial matter, please contact us.

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