20th anniversary: What have we learnt from the past 20 years in the Protection Market?

clock • 6 min read

The protection market has seen a lot of changes and heard a number of opinions, but what have we learnt? Scottish Widows' Johnny Timpson shares his thoughts on a few important things we've learnt over the past two decades.

The "Protection Gap" can seem daunting, so be focused. There is an often quoted industry figure that estimates the size of the UK "protection gap" to be £2.6 trillion*. Such figures can have a debilitating effect, by suggesting it is a problem that's simply too large to solve. Instead, we have focused on some key areas where we feel we can make a difference. This has been primarily through raising awareness, educating people, and building advocacy, through a regular flow of claims statistics and thought leadership. This is backed up with our own research, as well as highlighting wh...

To continue reading this article...

Join COVER for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, key trend analysis and industry insights.
  • Stay on top of the latest developments around health and wellbeing, diversity and inclusion and the cost of living crisis.
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletter.
  • Members only access to monthly programme 'The COVER Review'
  • Be the first to hear about our CPD accredited events and awards programmes.

Join now

 

Already a Cover member?

Login

More on Individual Protection

IPTF to rebrand amid widened 2027 agenda

IPTF to rebrand amid widened 2027 agenda

Focus on individual protection

Jaskeet Briah
clock 28 September 2026 • 2 min read
Quarter of over-55s have informed executors on how to locate protection policies

Quarter of over-55s have informed executors on how to locate protection policies

Canada Life research findings

Jaskeet Briah
clock 11 September 2026 • 2 min read
Sorry (not sorry) to interrupt

Sorry (not sorry) to interrupt

World Suicide Prevention Day

Cameron Roberts
clock 10 September 2026 • 3 min read