Independent: Connect Financial Services, Suite 204, Baltic Chambers, 50 Wellington Street, Glasgow G2 6HJ
Speed of Response: Time of call: 2.38pm. Three rings. 5/5
Telephone Manner: Very friendly, helpful and engaging. 5/5
Relevant Qualifications: Level four. 5/5
Payment Method: The first meeting was free and then anything further would be charged either as an upfront fee or through commission. 5/5
Guidance Given: The adviser explained that all premiums were relative to age and the kind of cover required, before adding that pre-existing health conditions also had an massive impact on the cost of the policy. Despite warning that CI can be more expensive than other forms of protection cover, he said there were a number of different policies in the market, with the best not always being the cheapest. 4/5
Knowledge: He explained the various factors behind how policies were determined and spoke of the differences between CI and life insurance cover. 4/5
Email/Web Presence: www.connectfs.co.uk/ sgb@connectfs.co.uk 5/5
Verdict: Good. The adviser provided a solid overview of how CI works and was very helpful when dealing with the shopper’s queries.
33/35
Independent: Orr Kerr Dykes Financial Services, 36 Renfield Street, Glasgow G2 1LU
Speed of response: Time of call: 2.53pm. Picked up after three rings and then a short wait to be put through to an adviser. 5/5
Telephone manner: Clear, attentive and helpful. 5/5
Relevant qualifications: Charted financial planner. 5/5
Payment Method: Initial meeting free and then, for anything further, fees in a commission payment made by the provider. 5/5
Guidance given: The adviser asked some basic questions about the shopper’s age, health, smoking status and preferred length of cover. With this information he said he would email some basic information on costs and different products, although he added that premiums varied depending on a large number of factors. He also added that only a few providers offered just CI cover and that it would therefore be better, and cheaper, to consider life cover as well 4/5.
Knowledge: The adviser seemed to have a strong grasp of CI and protection products in general. 4/5
Email/website: www.okdfs.co.uk/ steven@okdfs.co.uk 5/5
Verdict: Although the adviser said it could take a few days to email some quotes, he was helpful on the phone and offered useful tips and some insightful information.
33/35
Independent: Kelvin Financial Planning, 1st Floor, 180 West Regent Street, Glasgow G2 4RW
Speed of response: Time of call: 3.10pm. One ring and then passed through from receptionist to an adviser. 5/5
Telephone manner: Pleasant telephone manner. 5/5
Relevant qualifications: Level four. 5/5
Payment method: The initial meeting was free but would not include recommendations. After that all payments would be paid in commission. 5/5
Guidance given: The adviser started by explaining the types of illnesses that CI policies often cover and how rarer illnesses can vary between providers. Some providers were cheaper but they may just cover 25 conditions. He said the best approach would be to set a budget and then cover whatever was affordable, depending on debts, mortgages and any other outgoings. Because the shopper was self-employed, he said an income protection product could be more suitable.5/5
Knowledge: The adviser not only spoke in depth and with clarity about CI, but also provided some useful information and guidance on similar products that could equally play an important role. 4/5
Email/web presence: kelvinfp.com/ enquiries@kelvinfp.com 5/5
Verdict: An excellent service was provided. After carefully considering the shopper’s circumstances the adviser presented him with numerous options as well as providing a concise introduction on how protection products work.
34/35
Provider: Aviva (Call Centre)
Speed of response: Time of call: 3.27pm. After navigating through the confusing options presented the call was picked up immediately. 4/5
Telephone manner: Enthusiastic and engaging. 5/5
Relevant qualifications: The consultant explained that she was not qualified to give advice.0/5
Payment Method: Aviva offered a free service. 3/5
Guidance given: The consultant said that Aviva did not offer lone CI products and that cover would therefore have to be accompanied by life insurance. After recommending that the shopper checked out the online guide to protection, she ran a product check based on some specific questions and quoted him £21.90 on 20-year cover of £50,000. 3/5
Knowledge: The consultant was knowledgeable on life and CI policies and able to answer all of the shopper’s questions. 4/5
Email/web presence: www.aviva.co.uk/life/critical-illness-cover/ 3/5
Verdict: The consultant was very keen, clear and happy to help.
22/35
