Armchair Critic: The problem with protection

Solutions for the modern world

clock • 5 min read

The trouble with protection, argues Professional Adviser's Armchair Critic Brendan Llewellyn, is your money can feel wasted unless something horrible happens to you. The sector needs to evolve and, he points out, it is …

That many consumers have inadequate or no life assurance and the overwhelming majority do not have any income protection cover is well documented. Reasons why? In discussions over many decades, I have encountered quite a list: * Consumers are ostriches - they don't like to acknowledge bad things may happen * Consumers are scared of dying or becoming very ill so they give the subject a swerve * Advisers prefer more interesting areas, such as investment * Advisers focus on older clients who are capital-rich and have less need for protection * Mortgage advisers used to sell prot...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Protection

Chesnara to close HSBC Life UK to new protection business

Chesnara to close HSBC Life UK to new protection business

Follows £260m acquisition

Jaskeet Briah
clock 04 February 2026 • 3 min read
Targeted support: FCA opens door to protection inclusion

Targeted support: FCA opens door to protection inclusion

Could help address protection gap

Cameron Roberts
clock 29 January 2026 • 2 min read
FCA Pure Protection Market Study: No interventionist remedies proposed

FCA Pure Protection Market Study: No interventionist remedies proposed

The regulator pledged to release its final report in Q3 2026

Cameron Roberts
clock 29 January 2026 • 4 min read