Protection industry must provide 'wakeup call' to those relying on State

Cirencester friendly has warned that the government’s continued welfare reforms prove relying solely the State for support is a “fool’s paradise” and urged the protection industry to push this point across.

It added that the successful overturn of the House of Lords' Welfare Reform Bill amendments should be a wakeup call to the public and that the industry should be doing more to illustrate its value in replacing State provision.

The provider highlighted the proposed changes to Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and warned people would likely see a substantial fall in their income and stricter eligibility criteria if they were to claim benefits.

John Bridge, director of sales and marketing at Cirencester friendly, said: "The vote in favour of pushing ahead with proposed changes to the DLA assessment and payment process should serve as a wakeup call to the public.

"The Coalition Government has decided that it cannot afford to support the current welfare system financially and it is therefore inevitable that changes to assessments and criteria for benefit entitlement will be reviewed.

"Whilst we are told that the changes being implemented will seek to ensure that those who truly need the benefit continue to receive it, these changes bring the argument for protecting yourself as an individual sharply into focus," he added.

Bridge targeted the necessity for the protection industry to better raise awareness of how big an impact losing a salary and relying on state benefits can be.

"The simple fact is that we can no longer rely on the State to provide support when we need it and I firmly believe that it is down to the protection industry to help the public protect themselves," he continued.

"In this climate advisers and providers alike should push the merits of insuring an individual's income against illness and accidental injury."

At present, DLA would provide a monthly income of £541.66 for those receiving the higher rate, something Bridge suggested would leave a "rather large gap in the finances of most UK households".

"For a modest premium a family could be protected should the main earner become unable to work due to illness or accidental injury, with that in mind it's easy to see the benefit.

"That's the message we need to get out there to the public because you just never know what might be around the corner," he concluded.