Working out what you need
A broker starts with questions about your life, not about products. Who depends on you? What do you owe? What would happen to your income if you were off work for six months? From those answers, they suggest the type of cover, the amount and the length.
You may come in asking for life insurance and leave with a plan that also includes income protection, because that turned out to be the bigger risk. Or you may need less than you thought because of cover through work.
Comparing insurers on more than price
Each insurer has its own approach to medical conditions, jobs and hobbies. One might offer standard terms to someone with well-controlled asthma, where another adds a loading. A broker knows these differences and can point you at the insurers most likely to treat your circumstances fairly.
They also compare the small print: critical illness definitions, income protection terms, and the extras each plan includes.
Price still matters, and a broker shows you how the premiums compare. The cheapest quote on a screen may come with a stricter definition or a premium that can rise. Seeing both sides lets you decide what is worth paying for.
- Medical underwriting approach
- Critical illness definitions and partial payments
- Income protection incapacity tests
- Children's cover and other built-in extras
Help with the application and beyond
Applications ask detailed health and lifestyle questions. A broker helps you answer fully and accurately, which protects any future claim. If the insurer asks for a GP report or a medical, the broker chases it and keeps you updated.
After the policy starts, a good broker helps you set up a trust, reviews your cover when life changes, and supports your family if they need to make a claim.
If an insurer offers terms with a higher price or an exclusion, a broker can ask why and sometimes provide extra medical evidence that changes the decision. They can also try other insurers on the panel, which saves you making several applications yourself.
How brokers are paid and regulated
Most protection brokers receive commission from the insurer when a policy starts. The insurer builds this into its pricing, so you do not pay a separate bill. A broker must tell you how they are paid and must act in your interest under the Financial Conduct Authority's rules.
If something goes wrong, you can complain to the broker and then, if needed, to the Financial Ombudsman Service.
Under the FCA's Consumer Duty, brokers must focus on good outcomes for customers. That covers clear communication, fair value and support after the sale as well as at the point you sign.
How Hi Tomorrow works as your broker
We are an advised broker and a trading name of CoverTrade Risk Management Ltd, which is authorised by the FCA. Our UK team compares the insurers on our panel, gives you a clear recommendation and helps you apply. We do not charge you a fee for personal protection advice.