On AdviserSoftware.com we began the week with our analysis of AdviceObjects practice management system a relatively new entrant to the market before the next day examining Voyant’s AdviserGo financial planning tool.
Synaptic Risk Explorer was the subject of our Wednesday insight and on Thursday it was the turn of Adviser Cloud’s wealth practice management proposition to be under the spotlight.
Our next Investment Forum meeting will take place on Tuesday 23rd November at 11am. The discussion will centre around advances in technology being used to deliver investment services:
- What are the leading innovations?
- What would advisers most like to see?
Advisers can register for a complimentary ticket to attend the event via this link.
So the last week was huge for Protection Guru culminating in our inaugural Protection Guru Awards on Friday where around 200 people, including both established industry leaders and some of the most impressive new talent around, got together to celebrate everything that’s good about protection.
We will write more about each section of the awards and what really made the winners stand out during the coming week, but in the meantime the role of honour is as follows:
INDIVIDUAL ADVISER AWARDS
Best Claim Communication or Case Study, Sponsored by Aviva
Emma Astley, CoverMyBubble
Best Use of Video Social Media
Karla Edwards – The Protection Parent
Best Use of Static Social Media
Adam Kaplin – Pendragon Protect
with a Highly Commended going to Lee Thomas from Pangea Life
Outstanding New Protection Adviser, Sponsored by Scottish widows
Karen Chambers – Future Proof
Best Protection Administrator/Support Staff, Sponsored by HSBC Life
Louise Flanagan – Bespoke Financial Group
ADVISER FIRM AWARDS
Best New Protection Advice Firm, Sponsored by HSBC life
That’s Life Insurance
With a Highly commended going to 3 Pillars financial Planning
Best Protection Advice From a Mortgage Broker, Sponsored by Zürich
Trusted Financial Advice
Best Network for Protection Advice
The Openwork Partnership
Best Protection Advice from a Wealth Firm, Sponsored by Intelliflo
Money Honey Financial Planning
Best Protection Support Group/Compliance Service
Auxilium Partnership
Protection Advice Firm of the Year, Sponsored by Guardian
LifeSearch
With a Highly commended going to Future Proof
INSUREAWARDS (voted for solely by the adviser readers of Protection Guru).
Best Insurer for Protecting a Mortgaged Client, Sponsored by PMS
Guardian
Best Insurer for Protecting Clients Living in Rented Accommodation
Legal & General
Best Insurer for Protecting Clients with a Family
Guardian
Best Insurer for Protecting an Employed Person’s Income
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Best Insurer for Protecting a Self-Employed Person’s Income
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Best Preventative Support Service
AIG
Best Rehabilitation Support Service
Royal London
Best Insurer for Protecting Business Owners
Legal & General
Best Insurer for Protecting Company Employees
Legal & General
PRESTIGE AWARDS
Above and Beyond Award, Sponsored by Scottish Widows
CoverMyBubble
Outstanding Performance in Claims Handling, Sponsored by Intelliflo
Vita
Protection Guru’s Doctors Award, Sponsored by the Tyburn Private Medical Practice
Impact Based Critical Illness – AIG
Outstanding Protection Adviser of the Year, Sponsored by Zürich
Nina Brown – Pam Brown Mortgages
Dedication to Protection Award, Sponsored by Aviva
Johnny Timpson
Congratulations to all of the winners!
Even with the awards coming, of course we produced our normal content starting on Monday lunchtime with by Rob Harvey’s analysis on how clients can get faster and easier access to a GP through their protection policy and the third instalment of highlights from last month’s Protection Forum discussions.
On Tuesday we investigated the impact that family history of breast cancer can have on underwriting outcomes.
Legal & General’s decision to include dividends in the Exec IP pension contribution limit was analysed on Wednesday insight. With an additional study looking at the consequences of Zurich announcing the easing of their COVID-19 underwriting restrictions.
Thursday’s first insight examined the differences between guaranteed, reviewable and age banded premiums. We also released the fourth instalment of highlights from our September Protection Forum where the discussion focused around simple products in the protection market.
We finished the week with a round-up of five things you should read about policy features and benefits that reduce reliance on the NHS.
Our next Protection Forum meeting will on Tuesday 9th November at 11am. The agenda will focus on:
- How should insurers best share information on protection products with consumers and prepare for both the Department for Business Industry and Strategy’s Smart Data initiative and the FCA’s requirements on Open Finance
- Recovering from COVID, when can the industry expect to return to pre-COVID new business methods
- Which previous processes will return?
- Have some things changed permanently?
- Are some COVID inspired changes are worth keeping, of so what?
Advisers can register to attend the event free of charge via this link.
On our Benefits Guru site Jason Green investigated which workplace pensions providers are offering debt management support to their members on Tuesday and on Thursday turned to looking at which pension providers are supporting total reward statements.
