One of the most overlooked parts of group protection is everything that sits around the core insurance.
A policy might be bought to support people after serious illness, long-term absence or death. But some of the services employees find most useful can be used long before a traditional claim is needed.
Depending on the provider and scheme, value-added services can include virtual GP appointments, mental health support and counselling, physiotherapy, second medical opinions, wellbeing tools and other practical services. What’s available, who’s eligible and how it’s used all vary. But the principle is worth paying attention to: protection doesn’t always have to wait for a crisis.
Think about someone who’s worried about a health issue but isn’t sure where to start. Or someone who’s struggling emotionally. Or a colleague with a bad back or a sore shoulder who can’t get an appointment.
If a service is already available through your protection package, it can give them another route to help. That makes the benefit feel relevant to everyday working life, rather than something that only exists for the worst-case scenario.
For employers, there’s an important lesson here. Buying a scheme is only the first step. If nobody knows these services exist, some of the value is lost. A great virtual GP service that your team has never heard of isn’t doing much for your benefits package.
So communication needs to be part of the plan. You could:
Explain what’s available when the scheme launches
Include it in onboarding for new starters
Remind people every so often, not just once
Make sure managers and HR know where to find the signposting information
It can also change how people see insurance. Instead of something distant that only matters after a major life event, they begin to see that support may be available in ordinary moments too, which helps them understand what their benefits package is really worth.
It’s worth not assuming every insurer provides the same thing. Services change, eligibility can differ, and some features may be provided separately from the insured benefit itself.
So when you’re comparing schemes, look beyond the headline cover. Ask what extra support is included, how people can access it, and whether it’s genuinely useful for your workforce.
A good scheme isn’t finished on the day the policy starts. It should be understood, talked about and reviewed as your team changes.
Sometimes the most valuable part of a protection policy is the part someone can use on an ordinary Tuesday, long before anyone needs to make a claim.
From death in service and sick pay support to private medical cover, there’s a lot of choice out there.
We’ll talk you through it and help you pick what works for your people.
Click below to learn about the products that are available and the benefits to you as an employer.
Graham came to us for a second opinion on his protection. We uncovered a 17-year-old policy with unbeatable cover - one worth holding onto. Two years later, after a stroke, that legacy policy paid out £75,000 when he needed it most. The right advice. At the right time. For all the right reasons.
Twelve outdated policies. No Trusts. Then - stroke, fracture, and later, bereavement. Because Waddle restructured everything, payouts were fast, probate was bypassed, and the cover actually worked when it mattered most.
A teenage health scare, emergency surgery, and weeks in intensive care. With Waddle guiding the claim, £25,000 was paid quickly, extra support was accessed, and the family could focus on recovery - not bills.
Not sure where to start? That’s what we’re here for.
Book a call below with one of our advisers, tell us a little about your situation, and we’ll talk through what might help.
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