20th anniversary Q&A: Andy Walton on the art of selling protection

clock • 5 min read

Andy Walton, Protection Proposition Director, Mortgage Advice Bureau talks to Fiona Murphy about the 'art of selling protection' and other observations on the protection market.

What for you has been the biggest protection innovation over the past 20 years and why? Well, if you go back 20 years you're in 1997 and back then protection was still very much a paper based process, with Legal & General only just launching their first online underwriting application. They were going to call it ten minute term, but with the speed of dial up internet connection back in the late 90s is was much closer to 30 minutes! We forget what a revolution this was for the protection market, taking for granted what a fantastic application process we now have, especially in comparis...

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

Half of UK adults support scrapping of IHT

Half of UK adults support scrapping of IHT

71% oppose 40% IHT rate increase

Patrick Brusnahan
clock 05 October 2026 • 1 min read
Two in five homeowners have no protection: MetLife

Two in five homeowners have no protection: MetLife

25% said they could not afford cover

Jaskeet Briah
clock 02 October 2026 • 1 min read
Major life events likely to impact retirement savings for 62% of adults

Major life events likely to impact retirement savings for 62% of adults

Scottish Widows findings

Jaskeet Briah
clock 02 October 2026 • 2 min read