20th anniversary Q&A: Changes in distribution

clock • 6 min read

Fiona Murphy interviews Zurich's Peter Hamilton about changes in the protection market, such as distribution over the past 20 years.

What for you has been the biggest protection innovation over the past 20 years and why? We've seen innovation, maybe not enough, in products, in processes, in technology and in marketing, but for me the most impactful has been in advice and distribution. In 1997 protection sales were dominated by a mixture of IFAs, banks and insurance company direct sales forces. Over the last 20 years the number of people so employed has shrunk dramatically. That protection sales haven't shrunk commensurately is due in no small part to the rise of the specialist protection adviser and a model pi...

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

COVER Excellence Awards 2026: Final day to enter

COVER Excellence Awards 2026: Final day to enter

Awards ceremony on 10 November

COVER
clock 03 July 2026 • 1 min read
COVER Customer Care Conference 2026: In pictures

COVER Customer Care Conference 2026: In pictures

Event on 1 July

COVER
clock 02 July 2026 • 1 min read
COVER Customer Care Conference 2026: Roundup

COVER Customer Care Conference 2026: Roundup

COVER hosted its Customer Care Conference today (1 July, 2026), focussing on supporting customers beyond the policy.

Jaskeet Briah
clock 01 July 2026 • 5 min read