Sesame Bankhall Group (SBG) has expanded its protection offering for advisers to provide a broader range of solutions.

SBG has launched two new propositions – Solo Protection and Flex Protection – which provide short-panel and sole-tie solutions to complement SBG’s existing offering through its Zenith Protection proposition.

Solo Protection, via Aviva, is a single-tie option offering dedicated support to those committed to fully embedding writing protection into their business. With Solo, advisers get access to a wide range of Aviva’s protection solutions, from life insurance and critical illness cover to income and living costs protection.

Flex Protection offers a shortened panel of five protection providers which can help streamline, while still diversifying, an adviser’s approach to protection. Clients selecting this option will get access to four core providers – Aviva, L&G, LV= and Zurich – and can then add a ‘plus one’ from The Exeter, Guardian, Royal London, Scottish Widows or Vitality, providing them with the flexibility to choose an additional partner they feel is best suited for their business and the types of clients they serve.

Zenith Protection, the existing panel launched in 2015, will continue to provide access to 17 of the UK’s leading protection insurers. supporting firms who wish to consider a broader range of product solutions for their customers.

Alongside expanding its proposition offering, SBG has set up a protection helpdesk which provides its advisers with access to specialists who can offer market insight, product information and practical support with complex cases. Further technology enhancements to its adviser toolkit are planned for later this year.

Stephanie Charman (pictured), group partnerships & propositions director at Sesame Bankhall Group, said: “We understand how important protection is to ensuring people have their finances safeguarded, should life throw them a curveball, and the implementation of Consumer Duty has placed an even greater emphasis on protecting customers from foreseeable harm. This is why we are fully committed to supporting the advisers we serve across Sesame, Bankhall and PMS Mortgage Club, to ensure protection is front and centre of every conversation they have with their clients.

“However, we appreciate the barriers they have come up against, particularly for those who are perhaps new to protection. That’s why we’ve acted on feedback and expanded our protection offering to ensure we’re doing all we can to most effectively support advisers. Helping them be more productive, run more efficiently and giving them access to the right propositions that ultimately will deliver the best outcomes and fair value for their customers.”