Guardian’s income protection product is now available through UnderwriteMe’s Protection Platform, giving advisers access to the insurer’s proposition through a single application process.
The addition expands the platform’s income protection panel and makes Guardian the seventh insurer offering buy-now income protection via the system.
Guardian’s income protection can be taken on a stand-alone basis and sits alongside the provider’s broader protection range, including Life Essentials and Life Protection life cover, Critical Illness Protection, Combined Life with Critical Illness Protection, and optional Children’s Critical Illness Protection.
The move is intended to give advisers more flexibility when constructing protection packages for clients through a single platform journey.
WIDENING ACCESS
Hilary Banks, chief commercial officer at Guardian, said: “It’s brilliant news that advisers can now recommend our full protection menu on UnderwriteMe’s Protection Platform.
“The platform’s single application process makes it easier to build protection plans that genuinely reflect individual client needs.
“Income Protection plays a key role in long-term financial resilience, yet it’s still under-used. Making it available on the platform widens access and supports the continued momentum we’re seeing in Income Protection recommendations across the market.”
Nilesh Patel, chief revenue and customer officer at UnderwriteMe, said: “Guardian Income Protection is our seventh Income Protection product and is one of the most important, and often underserved, parts of a client’s protection plan.
“Adding Guardian IP to our panel gives advisers access to a proposition with real technical depth. It’s a strong addition to the platform and one we think advisers will find genuinely compelling for their clients.”
MORE OPPORTUNITY
Elliot Nixon, adviser at John Charcol, said: “Adding an established provider like Guardian to the Income Protection provider list on UnderwriteMe’s Protection Platform ensures I have more opportunity to place my clients with the best provider for them, allowing me to make a full protection package with their comprehensive Critical Illness and Life Insurance plans.
“Guardian’s ‘own job’ definition is clearer, giving clients greater certainty if they need to claim, that they won’t be turned away simply because they could perform a different role within their wider occupation.
“Combined with the way Premium Waiver works in practice, these are the kind of features that make a real difference to clients when they need their cover to deliver. It’s a very welcome addition.”
