A quarter of SMEs would use cash reserves if owner died

51% would use personal wealth

Adam Saville
clock • 2 min read

L&G’s 'State of the Nation' research highlights the need for - and value of - share protection

According to Legal & General's most recent ‘State of the Nation' research, 25% of small-to-medium enterprise (SME) business owners would rely on their business' cash reserves if a fellow business owner passed away unexpectedly, while 51% would use their own personal wealth. The findings also revealed that while 37% would expect to purchase the business owner's shares in this scenario, 47% have no specific arrangements in place to transfer these shares. The survey of 800 small business owners showed that one in five (20%) business owners said they have no will or any instructions about...

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

Mental Health Awareness Week is not just for clients

Mental Health Awareness Week is not just for clients

Mental health resources and opinion

Cameron Roberts
clock 15 May 2026 • 4 min read
Third of LV= customers accessing mental health support aged 26-35

Third of LV= customers accessing mental health support aged 26-35

Anxiety primary reason for access

Jaskeet Briah
clock 14 May 2026 • 1 min read
£1m paid out to Waddle Insurance customers

£1m paid out to Waddle Insurance customers

Average claim took 90 days to complete

Jaskeet Briah
clock 07 May 2026 • 2 min read