Over two thirds (69%) of advisers gain less than a quarter of their income from protection, while 9% get over half their income from protection, research from Aviva has found.
Among firms 3% were protection specialists, the survey of 893 advisers by Aviva also found that 6% gained none of their income from protection.
Small firms predominated with 66% of advisers working in firms of less than five people, and 86% had worked in financial services for over 10 years.
Customer service from Insurers was thought good by 48% of advisers while 12% disagreed.
Legislation such as fit for work provided subject matter to talk to clients about for 19% of the advisers surveyed for Aviva's Adviser Barometer.
The new government was thought to be positive for business by 48% of advisers with less than 1% believing it would be negative.
The biggest causes of anxiety for advisers were regulatory fees and levies, which 51% of advisers were anxious about and professional indemnity costs (48%).
Among advisers, 11% had no concerns at all about business, and economic uncertainty worried 15%, down from 31% in March 2013.
More than three quarters (79%) of advisers offer independent advice while 15% offer restricted advice.
The results also found that 48% believe encouraging people to save more into their pension should be the government's priority and 63% saw pension freedoms as the greatest opportunity in the market.
Tim Orton, CEO of Aviva Platform, said: "It is interesting to see how concerns about economic uncertainty and remaining profitable have continued to fall, with the greatest areas of opportunity being the new pension freedoms and the retirement life stage.
"A thriving adviser market is great news for platforms, which can help advisers make the most of their clients' retirement savings.
"With a new majority government in place since we last surveyed advisers, ‘encouraging people to save more into their pension' is ranked as top of the financial priority list for David Cameron's government.
"Advisers see the gap in advice as a priority to be addressed and we would echo this concern."
He added: "Engaging a wider community in managing their finances will both encourage better saving habits and support a buoyant professional, advice market."
Further Reading:
Adviser focus: Does your proposition make clients feel special?
Three-quarters of advisers say protection sales will increase
Opinion: Adviser charging - are you paid more than a Bath gardener?
