LifeSearch CEO Debbie Kennedy set out her vision for growing the protection market at the advice firm’s awards yesterday.
Addressing guests at the annual ceremony in the City of London, Kennedy committed to growing the protection market by empowering customers to buy protection with confidence, particularly those with complex situations.
Kennedy said she wanted to bring new, young customers into the market while also engaging the older demographic of people who may have bypassed protection in favour of investing in savings products.
“I think there is more we can do to address complex needs in the most accessible way,” Kennedy said.
She added she wanted customers to value their cover, to be proud of their choice to take out cover and for them to trust that protection will be there for them when they need it most.
Turning to insurers in the room, Kennedy committed to ensuring that the firm would be keen as ever to deliver quality business to them.
“With our investment and conversion, I think working together we will all radically improve customer outcomes,” she added.
“Together I want us to protect and empower more customers than ever before.”
The firm also used the occassion to publish a report highlighting poor outcomes in the non-advised broker market and calling on intermediaries and insurers to act.
Award winners
The full list of award winners is:
Heroic Support – Best Service for Unprotected Families
Winner – LV=
Heroic Care – Best Service for Protected Families
Winner – Legal & General
Claims Heroes – Supporting our families when they need it most
Winner – Aegon
Business Protection Hero
Winner – Legal & General
Nick Crossman Award for the Best Protection Story – Sponsored by LV=
Winner – Rebecca Goodman – The Independent
‘How and why women must protect their financial affairs’
Individual Protection Hero
Winner – Danny Turner – Vitality
Best Critical Illness Provider – Sponsored by CI Expert
Winner – Vitality
Best Income Protection Provider
Winner – The Exeter
The Doing Good Award
Winner – National Friendly
Outstanding Customer Wellbeing Services
Winner – Vitality
Best use of data and technology to drive exceptional customer outcomes
Winner – SCOR
Protection Leader of the Year
Winners – Ian McKenna – Protection Guru
Outstanding Insurer of the Year – in partnership with Protection Guru
Winner – Royal London