Family Protection
At Clark and Poole we can offer expert advice on the protection available for you and your family. If you are looking for Life Assurance, Income Protection, Critical Illness Cover or Private Medical Cover, then we are able to help. We will help you assess your needs and find you the most appropriate and cost-effective policies.
It is ironic that most of us are quite happy to insure our car, our house and our travel arrangements to their full value, however few of us take quite as much care with protecting our health and loved ones. We can review your current protection provision, ensuring that your needs are covered and that the cost is still effective.
It is very important to regularly review the protection policies that you have in place. As your personal situation changes, your requirements will also change. We may find that there are better protection policies available, either a more competitive premium, or a better product offering an increased benefit for the same price.
Outlined below are some of the Protection Policies that are available, highlighting when they are appropriate;
Success, your message was sent.The most common reason for buying life assurance will be to cover a mortgage debt. However, after getting married, or becoming a parent, you need to look at the consequences for your family if your income ceased. You must bear in mind that your partner may need to pay for extra support in child care and housework, or may not work. How would your family maintain their current lifestyle without your income? Life Assurance can also be an important part of inheritance tax planning.
Permanent Health Insurance (PHI) replaces your income in the event you are unable to work due to sickness. Typically, you can cover a percentage of your gross income – less any state benefits for which you become eligible. This income is paid until retirement age, until the end of the policy term or until you are able to return to work, whichever is the earlier. Consequently, whilst you are recovering or coming to terms with changes in your life, your financial position is secure you are able to maintain a similar lifestyle. This can be of particular benefit if you are self-employed and when your job does not offer any significant sickness benefit. PHI may start after an initial deferment period (e.g. 13 weeks) usually to coincide with the end of employer sickness benefits.
Critical illness policies pay out a pre-specified amount, in the event that you are diagnosed with a specified critical illness. Like life cover it can pay a lump sum or income. The objective is to help you fund changes which may need to be made to your lifestyle as a result of that illness. For example, you may need to relocate to be nearer relatives. You may need to make changes to your home to meet new mobility requirements, or you may wish to pay off your mortgage and reduce your outgoings. Like PHI, Critical Illness cover can be just as beneficial, maybe more so, for single people with no dependents as it could be the only source of ongoing financial support in the event of serious illness.
Long term care planning is designed to ensure you can pay the cost of medical expenses or care home fees if you are no longer able to live independently. There are many types of cover; ranging from an immediate annuity to a pre-funded insurance plan. Long term care cover is relatively expensive, but this is because the fees in care homes are expensive and continue to rise. Those who have equity in their houses or substantial savings may be happy to utilise those assets to help pay for any future requirements. However, some may wish to protect their assets for their beneficiaries, which is possible. Also with no guarantee of how long care fees will need to be funded, a non-insurance approach can prove a bit of a lottery as to whether there will be enough money available.
Thank you so much for all your help, assistance and guidance. You’ve been fantastic and I will have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending you to my friends, colleagues and clients.Nicholas Marshall, Lancaster
When we purchased our house and required a mortgage Andy provided sound advice which we followed with a successful outcome. We were new to the country which complicated our application somewhat but Andy came through for us. I would highly recommend him to anyone.Marla White, Wokingham
Andy and Bob have offered our business excellent advice in a number of areas from pensions to insurance. They always offer sound advice based on thorough research. I would have no hesitation in recommending Clark and Poole to any company that requires financial guidance.add3 Limited, Reading
Bob Poole & Andy Clark have been professional & personal friends of mine for many years. The financial services they offer are wide ranging, can be refined for virtually any requirement, and to my certain experience their knowledge and feel for the specialist markets led by property and all related matters are second to none. I hope you may consider using their services – you will be in the very best of hands.Ken Schofield MBE
Bob provided me with very helpful advice, both financial and practical, and was extremely efficient and thorough. I was particularly impressed with the speed at which he worked and with his market knowledge; on this basis Clark and Poole could easily rival many city-based financial advisers. I was very grateful to have the benefit of Bob's experience and help with my financial affairs and will certainly contact him for future advice.Jane Stuart, London
Andy provided a package that followed my requirements precisely. He kept me informed on progress at all stages, and replies to questions were handled quickly and in detail.Roger Highmoor, York
Bob, Thanks for all your help, yet again you have been a superstar.Michaela Read – Leighton Buzzard
I have found working with Andy to be very beneficial, he has advised and recommended a number of options around my mortgage. I have no problem in recommending his business to friends and colleagues. Andy is very knowledgeable and comes over very professionally in his chosen field of expertise.Andy Pragnell, Wokingham
I started using the professional services of Bob Poole 20 years ago and since then he has not only helped us out with our financial requirements but many of our friends and relatives, a true professional who always deliversLawrence Bent Owner of New London Property LTD
Andy Clark of Clark and Poole Independent Financial Advisers Ltd can be highly recommended due to the fantastic service we have enjoyed over the years. We have always been pleased with the professional advice offered. The service has always been provided on a timely manner and has taken the stress away from buying a new house.Karl and Claire Thompson, Wokingham
I found them very friendly and professional and they certainly gave us sound, solid financial advice. We were very happy. They helped us with our Mortgage, Life cover and pension. I would certainly use them again.Karen Dighton, Wokingham
Excellent advice given while searching for a new mortgage, explained in simple and easy to understand terms. Ease of contact for advice after meetings is superb. We are moving away from the Wokingham area but we will certainly be using Clark and Poole for all out financial requirements in the future.Andrew Vernon, Finchampstead
I wish to thank you greatly for your assistance, persistence, expertise and unfailing good humour during the farrago which has resulted in our having our new home.
We know that obtaining mortgages has become more difficult than in the past and, on reflection, that what you earn in commission is in some cases scant reward for the work involved. All the more reason for our gratitude for your valiant and successful efforts.
It goes without saying that we will strongly recommend you to our friends and colleagues and sincerely hope that their situations are far easier for you to manage than ours was.
Stephen and Stella Lines