Assured Futures is restoring unemployment cover availability to UK customers through a partnership with comparison site Comparethemarket.
While unemployment cover was pulled by all providers last spring due to the pandemic, Assured Futures has relaunched a comparison of comprehensive accident, sickness and unemployment (ASU) insurance which is available to quote and buy directly through the comparison service.
It wil also be available on an advised basis through Assured Futures’ telephone services.
The life and health insurance intermediary is working with four ASU providers – National Assurance, Paymentcare, Income Bee and Income Secure – to offer one year ASU cover through a panel.
It said it was using an improved underwriting process aimed at providing a more intuitive customer journey.
Ian Sawyer, commercial director at Assured Futures, said: “Due to the outbreak of coronavirus, unemployment insurance was pulled from the market.
“Our new ASU comparison brings together a panel of four specialist providers to offer income protection not only in the event of an accident or sickness, but also forced redundancy, something we know has been missed from the market and will be in high demand going forward as people continue to live with job uncertainty as a result of the pandemic.
“Many people have an increased and ongoing fear of being made redundant, meaning that products that offer unemployment protection have never been more important. It is therefore crucial that ASU is brought back to the market, and we are pleased to be one of the first to do so.”
Mubina Pirmohamed, senior product manager at Comparethemarket.com, added: “The pandemic has had a negative impact on many people’s financial security and it has been an additional source of concern in relation to managing incomings and outgoings.
“Furlough has protected some people but it’s important that people protect themselves where possible to ensure that future impacts on income can be easily managed.
“We are delighted to be in a position where we can help people compare unemployment cover again which will cover them against redundancy, accident and sickness.
“This will provide reassurance to people who want protection against the unexpected, as well as peace of mind.”