Practical Protection Podcast: Added value services & childhood bereavement

I’m bringing you two podcast overviews this week which are closely linked.

In ‘Added Value Services’ I’m chatting to Alison Esson, protection propositions manager at AIG. Alison will be talking through how she has seen added value services develop and adapt over time, and how they’ve been really tailored to what policyholders actually need. With so many products on the market, value added services can be a deal breaker over which insurer you recommend to your clients. It’s all about providing things that the policyholder can use throughout the policy, not just waiting for a claim that may or may not happen.

Access to these extras such as 24hr/7 days a week GP service has been amazing for me when I have had concerns about my children. There’s also things like second medical opinion services, mental health support, fitness and nutrition consultations. Each insurer offers a different mix of value added services and these can change between personal, business and group offerings. I think it’s incredibly important to really highlight these extras to your clients when you arrange their policies.

The latest episode, Childhood Bereavement, follows the added value service theme, and focuses on the work that Winstons Wish provides on a national scale, as well as their partnerships with the protection insurance industry. It was a pleasure to welcome Di Stubbs and Paul Moore to discuss the ways in which the charity has adapted over the years to the needs of bereaved children. We also chat about a complex case study, where it is clear to see how bereavement has a ripple effect throughout many aspects of a child’s life, it is not just about the grieving process.

Next week I will be chatting with Alan Knowles from Cura Financial Services and chair of the PDG, about an income protection masterclass.

Once you have listened to the episode don’t forget to claim your CPD certificate at https://practical-protection.co.uk/claim-your-cpd/.

You may find that your work systems are not keen on the CPD form (it’s a Google form). Please don’t worry if that is the case. Contact me on social media or through the website and I will be able to issue the certificate directly to you.