Insurers should not forget the emotional challenges policyholders face, Zurich’s head of retail propositions has said.
Peter Hamilton said: “While a protection policy can offer financial security for those affected by illness or bereavement, we often forget the emotional challenges we all face in dealing with life’s everyday difficulties.”
Mr Hamilton speaking after the launch of Zurich’s free, confidential support service for its protection customers and their immediate families, which is available throughout the lifetime of their policies.
The Zurich Support Service includes a freephone helpline, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
According to Mr Hamilton, the service will be staffed by a team of independent experts who can offer assistance with work, personal or family-related matters, including access to short-term counselling.
As well as professional consultations and counselling, the service provides information, resources and referrals to further services available in customers’ local areas, such as debt and money management, separation and divorce, bereavement and loss.
Adviser view
Emma Thomson, life office relationship director for London-based Lifesearch, said: “It is great to see Zurich adding value to its proposition by introducing a support service. This helpline will advise and support customers through difficult times and shows Zurich is investing in looking after its policyholders. This should help the insurer attract and keep more customers. Ancillary benefits such as this are really valuable.”
