Protection specialist LifeSearch has reported that the number of lives financially protected in 2011 increased year-on-year by 14% to 51,680.

It added that its retention team now prevent around 65% of lapse warnings from actually lapsing.

53 advisers were recruited into LifeSearch over the past year, taking the total up to 102, with a staff retention rate of 86.2%. It now has one coach for every seven advisers.

LifeSearch’s Trust Team wrote 21% more policies into trust this year and in September the number of sales of the Family Income Benefit passed 10% of total sales for the first time.

Also, over 50% of all LifeSearch policies are indexed.

Matt Morris, LifeSearch senior policy adviser, said: “As LifeSearch grows we continue to ensure that the quality of our advice and customer care maintains the highest standards. These figures prove that it is possible to sell good quality Protection products with advice and keep your customers happy in tough economic times.”””