The Protection Puzzle – What Brokers Can Offer

When people think about financial planning, protection is often the quiet afterthought. Mortgages, rates, and property prices usually take centre stage, while insurance is left for “later”. But when life doesn’t go to plan, protection is the part that matters most.

For brokers, protection isn’t about selling policies. It’s about building resilience into people’s lives.

Protection is about people, not paperwork

In financial advice, protection exists for one simple reason: to make sure that if the unexpected happens, people still have choices.

Unlike car or travel insurance, protection insurance is deeply personal. It’s designed to safeguard families, incomes, and businesses when illness, injury, or death disrupts everyday life.

Broadly speaking, brokers can offer five key types of protection:

• Life insurance

• Critical illness cover

• Income protection

• Family income benefit

• Business protection

Each plays a different role, but together they form a financial safety net.

Life cover: the foundation layer

Life insurance is the most familiar form of protection, yet it’s still widely misunderstood.

At its core, it provides a lump sum payout if the policyholder passes away during the policy term. That money can help loved ones:

• Stay in the family home

• Clear outstanding debts

• Maintain financial stability during an incredibly difficult time

It’s no longer just about protecting a mortgage. Renters, young professionals, and business owners are increasingly recognising the value of having cover in place.

Critical illness cover: support when it’s needed most

Critical illness cover pays out a lump sum if someone is diagnosed with a serious condition such as cancer, heart disease, or stroke.

What makes this cover so powerful is flexibility. The payout can be used for:

• Medical treatment

• Home adaptations

• Covering everyday costs while focusing on recovery

Modern policies have evolved too, often including early-stage conditions and mental health-related hospitalisation—reflecting real-life needs far better than in the past.

Income protection: the unsung hero

Income protection is one of the most underrated products in the market.

If illness or injury prevents someone from working, income protection replaces a portion of their earnings until they’re able to return to work. It’s not flashy, but it’s often the difference between coping and crisis.

With more people self-employed, freelance, or working flexibly, this type of cover has become increasingly vital.

Family income benefit: steady support over time

Family income benefit doesn’t provide a lump sum. Instead, it pays a regular income to dependants if the policyholder dies.

This makes it especially valuable for young families who rely on consistent monthly income rather than a single payout. It’s simple, cost-effective, and often overlooked.

Business protection: keeping companies alive

For company directors and self-employed clients, business protection can be critical.

This type of cover helps businesses survive if a key person dies or becomes seriously ill. It can fund:

• Shareholder agreements

• Loan protection

• Key person replacement costs

As more people run their own limited companies, business protection is becoming an increasingly important part of holistic advice.

Why protection conversations matter more than ever

Recent figures from Legal & General show that nearly 40% of UK adults would struggle to cover even one month of household bills if their income stopped.

Despite this, protection is still often viewed as optional.

This is where brokers add real value. By explaining protection in plain English—without jargon or pressure—advisers help clients understand:

• What each policy does

• Why it exists

• How it fits their personal circumstances

No two households are the same, and neither should their protection plans be.

A human approach to advice

At The Finance Family, protection advice is rooted in one principle: behind every policy is a person.

Whether it’s protecting a family’s income or safeguarding a small business, the aim is the same - peace of mind. Not fear. Not complexity. Just confidence that if life takes an unexpected turn, no one is left facing it alone.

Protection isn’t about worst-case scenarios. It’s about freedom—the freedom to focus on living, knowing there’s a safety net in place.