Income Protection That Pays When It Matters – Spotlight on Shepherds Friendly

At Red Star, we’re proud to work with trusted insurance providers who combine exceptional products with a proven track record. That’s why we’re excited to highlight Shepherds Friendly, one of the most established names in the mutual insurance space, and their highly regarded Income Protection Insurance.

Whether your client is employed, self-employed, or a freelancer, income protection insurance in the UK is a vital safety net – and Shepherds Friendly delivers reliable cover that performs when it matters most.

Who Are Shepherds Friendly?

Shepherds Friendly is one of the UK’s oldest mutual insurance providers, dating back to 1826. Based in Cheshire and proudly member-owned, they exist to serve their policyholders – not shareholders. This means that every decision is made with the customer in mind, reinvesting profits back into the service and products they provide.

As a mutual society, Shepherds Friendly has built a reputation for transparent underwriting, ethical practices, and exceptional support – making them a standout choice in the UK income protection insurance market.

Why Choose Shepherds Friendly Income Protection?

If you’re looking for income protection insurance that pays out, Shepherds Friendly’s plan is one of the most reliable available.

• Up to 70% of gross income covered – tax-free
• Choice of deferment periods (including Day 1 cover)
• Waiver of premium during claims
• Fracture cover and hospitalisation benefit included
• No medical required in many cases
• Available to employed, self-employed and contract workers

This flexibility makes it a particularly strong option for those looking for income protection for self-employed people or workers without generous sick pay from an employer.

Income Protection Insurance – Why It’s More Important Than Ever

Too often, people overlook income protection insurance in favour of life cover – but in reality, you’re much more likely to be off work sick than to pass away during your working life.

Without cover, even short periods off work due to injury, illness or mental health struggles can cause serious financial stress. Income Protection helps maintain your lifestyle, pay your bills, and gives you breathing room to recover properly – without rushing back before you’re ready.

2024 Claims Performance: Reliable Payouts When Clients Need Them

Shepherds Friendly continues to outperform many competitors when it comes to income protection claims paid:

📊 2024 Claims Highlights:

• £3.23 million paid in Income Protection claims
• 477 total claims processed
• 96% of new claims accepted – up from 95.2% in 2023
• £1.8 million paid in 2023, showing year-on-year growth

That 96% acceptance rate puts them well above many other UK insurers – proof that this is a provider who pays when it matters.

📂 What Are Clients Claiming For?

Understanding what causes most claims can help clients see just how relevant this cover is:

• Musculoskeletal issues – 55.8% of claims
• Mental health conditions – 5% of claims, but 11.5% of total payout
• Cancer – 4% of claims, 9.9% of payout
• Heart conditions – 6.9% of claims
• Respiratory and gastrointestinal issues – combined 12% of claims

Claims Transparency and Market Comparison

Shepherds Friendly isn’t just meeting expectations – they’re exceeding them.

• Only 19 claims were declined in 2024, typically due to ineligibility or non-disclosure
• They outperformed the Association of Financial Mutuals’ 2024 average of 94.1%
• Part of £91.5 million in total IP payouts across AFM providers

If you’re looking for the best income protection insurance UK providers, Shepherds Friendly continues to rank among the top for reliability, clarity, and member care.

A Great Fit for Advisers and Clients Alike

Whether you’re working with contractors, first-time buyers, families, or self-employed professionals, this product can be shaped to suit their budget and needs.

Shepherds Friendly’s commitment to fair underwriting, digital simplicity, and flexible benefit options makes it a strong choice for any adviser’s toolkit.

Why We Recommend Shepherds Friendly at Red Star

At Red Star, we partner only with providers who share our values: transparency, care, and consistent delivery. Shepherds Friendly ticks all the boxes – and their 2024 results prove it.

Their income protection plan offers:

• Flexible, affordable cover
• Strong acceptance rates
• Exceptional service and claims support
• Member-first approach you can feel confident recommending

Ready to Protect Your Clients’ Income?

If you’re advising clients who rely on their income to meet mortgage payments, household bills or family expenses – then income protection insurance isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity.

Want to find out how Shepherds Friendly’s Income Protection could fit into your client’s financial plan? Get in touch with the team at Red Star today – we’re here to help with support, comparisons, and advice.

When it comes to financial protection, trust is everything. Whether you’re protecting your income, your family, or your business, you need to know that your policy will actually pay out if something goes wrong.

At Red Star Financial Services, we only work with protection providers who consistently prove their reliability – not just in the fine print, but when the worst happens. That’s why Guardian’s recently published 2024 Claims Report caught our attention. It’s a transparent, reassuring document that gives real insight into how they treat their customers in difficult times.

Spoiler alert: they did exceptionally well.

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🔍 £21.34 Million Paid in 2024 – A 40% Increase on the Previous Year

Guardian reported that in 2024, they paid out over £21 million in protection claims. That’s an increase of more than 40% compared to their 2023 figures (£15.33 million). The total number of claims also grew significantly — 238 successful claims in 2024, up from 150 the year before.

It’s not just the size of the payouts that impresses us. It’s the consistency and clarity behind them.

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✅ Life Cover: 100% of Claims Paid

Guardian paid every single life claim they received in 2024 – a flawless 100% payout rate. This totalled £6.72 million across 50 individual cases, with an average payout of £134,000.

The claimants ranged from 27 to 68 years old, showing how important life cover can be at any stage in life. The majority of claims were for men (72%) – something that often reflects trends in occupation, health and lifestyle rather than underwriting bias.

The causes of death included:

• 60% natural causes

• 24% cancer

• 8% accidents

• 8% suicide

This data highlights that unforeseen tragedies can happen to anyone. Life insurance isn’t just about preparing for old age – it’s about protecting your loved ones from life’s unpredictability, at any stage of your journey.

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⚡ Payout Planner – Getting Money to Families Faster

One feature that sets Guardian apart is their Payout Planner tool, a unique policy benefit that allows life policyholders to nominate beneficiaries directly within the policy. This enables Guardian to pay the money outside of probate – which is often a major delay for grieving families.

• 70% of new life policies included a Payout Planner nomination

• 56% of life claims in 2024 were paid using it

• On average, families received their money 4 months faster

• Fastest payout: just 7 days

For families who are already navigating bereavement, eliminating the lengthy probate process can make a world of difference.

This isn’t just a nice-to-have feature — it’s a powerful example of how forward-thinking design can create a better, more compassionate experience for clients.

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💥 Critical Illness & Children’s Cover – Strong Payouts and Honest Reporting

Guardian also demonstrated strong performance in critical illness claims. In 2024, they paid:

• 92% of adult critical illness claims – £9.07 million

• 100% of children’s critical illness claims – £643,000

Not every insurer is this open about the claims they didn’t pay. Guardian is. And that matters.

In cases where a claim wasn’t paid, they’ve published the reasons why – most commonly:

• The policyholder didn’t meet the medical definition of the condition.

• The diagnosis occurred outside the claimable timeframe.

• The illness wasn’t included in the policy’s defined list.

This sort of transparency is exactly what we want to see from providers. It also underlines the importance of expert advice – making sure clients understand exactly what they’re covered for and where any grey areas may exist.

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💬 Why This Matters to Our Clients

Protection insurance isn’t just a checkbox – it’s a financial safety net, a future lifeline, and in many cases, a family’s only shield from financial hardship following an unexpected tragedy. That’s why, at Red Star, we don’t just pick providers based on cost. We focus on value, quality, and trustworthiness.

Guardian’s 2024 performance ticks every box:

• High claim acceptance rates

• Transparent reporting

• Innovative features like Payout Planner

• Strong customer support through services like HALO – their post-claim support network

As advisers, this kind of data gives us confidence when recommending Guardian to clients. We know they have your back when it really counts.

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🛡️ The Bigger Picture – Your Protection Needs

It’s easy to think “that won’t happen to me.” But as Guardian’s data shows, people make claims every day – and the average claimant in 2024 wasn’t elderly or infirm. They were everyday people in their 30s, 40s and 50s who faced unexpected events.

Whether it’s life cover, critical illness, or income protection, the right policy with the right provider can be the difference between financial stability and deep uncertainty.

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👋 How Red Star Can Help

At Red Star Financial Services Ltd, we help individuals, families, and business owners find protection that suits their real needs – and we only recommend insurers we truly trust. Guardian is one of them.

If you’d like a free review of your current cover or need advice on putting protection in place, we’re here to help.

📞 Call us today to speak to one of our experienced advisers.
💻 Or visit: www.redstarfs.com to book your consultation.

Source

At Red Star Financial Services, we know that life insurance and critical illness cover are about more than just policies — they’re about real financial security when life takes an unexpected turn. That’s why we focus on working with insurers who deliver when it counts.HSBC Life has released its official 2024 protection insurance claims statistics, showing impressive performance and a deep commitment to their policyholders. Here’s what you need to know.

£93 Million Paid Out in Life & Critical Illness Insurance Claims

• ✅ 97.53% of life insurance claims were paid
• ✅ 94.44% of critical illness claims were paid
• ✅ £15.5 million of critical illness claims were related to cancer

Fast Life Insurance Payouts When Time Matters Most

Claims were settled with impressive speed in 2024 — averaging just 19 days from claim to payout. In Q1 2025, that improved even further to 13 days, thanks to a new digital medical reporting process.

A recent example shows HSBC agreeing a terminal illness claim and paying the full sum on the same day it was notified — giving the customer peace of mind immediately.

Most Common Reasons for Life & Critical Illness Claims

Top Causes of Life Insurance Claims

• 40% were due to cancer
• 12% caused by heart disease
• 11% due to respiratory conditions

Top Causes of Critical Illness Claims

• 65% were cancer-related
• 12% were heart attacks
• 6% were strokes

Critically, 50% of female cancer-related claims were for breast cancer — highlighting the importance of tailored women’s life insurance and critical illness cover.

Award-Winning Claims Support from HSBC Life

• 🏆 Outstanding Performance in Claims Handling – Protection Guru Awards
• 🏆 Woman of the Year – Claims – COVER Women in Protection and Health Awards
• 🏆 Woman in Protection – Financial Reporter Women’s Recognition Awards

This recognition reflects HSBC Life’s ongoing investment in customer care, fairness, and compassionate claims handling.

Simplified, Paperless Claims Process for Policyholders

• 📞 A dedicated claims handler supports customers every step of the way
• 📄 A completely paperless process, no forms or postal delays
• 🧰 Customer-supplied medical evidence accepted in many cases

🔍 HSBC Life 2024 Claims Summary – At a Glance

• £93 million paid out across life and critical illness policies
• 97.53% of life insurance claims approved
• 94.44% of critical illness claims approved
• Average claim settlement time down to 13 days in early 2025
• Cancer is the leading cause of both life and critical illness claims
• 50% of female cancer claims were for breast cancer
• Award-winning performance and customer service
• Fast, compassionate, digital-first claims process

Why This Matters for Our Clients

At Red Star Financial Services, we don’t just recommend insurance — we work with providers who share our values. HSBC Life’s 2024 performance shows that protection insurance really does deliver when it counts.

If you’re reviewing your existing life insurance or critical illness cover, or want to better understand what protection is right for your needs, speak to one of our expert advisers today.

Because the right protection today can change everything tomorrow.

 

Red Star FS proudly offers Aviva life insurance, critical illness, and income protection – trusted UK cover with strong 2024 claims stats and expert advice.

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🛡️ Why We’re Proud to Offer Aviva Protection Products

At Red Star Financial Services, we believe in offering only the most reputable and reliable protection products to our clients. That’s why we’re proud to work with Aviva, one of the UK’s leading life insurance and income protection providers.

From life cover to critical illness and income protection, Aviva’s range of solutions fits a wide variety of client needs – backed by a strong claims history and industry-leading service.

🏢 Who Is Aviva?

Aviva is a household name in UK insurance, with a legacy spanning over 320 years. They currently support over 19 million customers across life, health, pensions, and general insurance products (source).

As the UK’s largest general insurer, they are known for stability, innovation, and high claims acceptance rates.

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✅ Aviva Protection Products We Offer

Here’s an overview of the main protection solutions we recommend from Aviva:

1. Life Insurance

Provides a lump sum to your loved ones if you pass away during the policy term.

• £862 million paid in life & terminal illness claims in 2024

• 98.8% payout rate across over 41,000 claims
  View 2024 Aviva claims report

2. Critical Illness Cover

A lump sum payout upon diagnosis of a serious illness (like cancer, heart attack, or stroke).

• £405 million paid out in 2024

• Over 5,600 claims paid, including children’s cover

• 91.5% payout rate
  See full critical illness stats

3. Income Protection

Pays you a regular income if you’re unable to work due to illness or injury.

• £61 million paid out on 4,300 claims

• 90.1% claim acceptance rate
  Learn more

4. Group Protection (for employers)

Ideal for businesses offering employee benefits.

• Over £559 million paid out across 9,300 claims in 2024
  Explore Aviva Group Protection

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📊 Aviva’s 2024 Claims Performance at a Glance

Aviva’s commitment to policyholders in 2024 is clear:

• £1.89 billion paid out across individual and group claims

• 97.1% payout rate on individual protection
  Source: Cover Magazine

This highlights Aviva’s reliability, speed, and support when it matters most.

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🌐 Extra Wellbeing Support with Every Policy

Aviva goes beyond just financial cover. Customers also get access to:

• Aviva DigiCare+ – digital GP appointments, mental health support & second medical opinions

• Smart Health – lifestyle and wellness coaching
  Over 680,000 customers accessed these services in 2024
  See Wellbeing Benefits

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💬 Why Choose Red Star FS for Your Aviva Cover?

As a trusted, FCA-authorised life insurance and protection broker, Red Star FS ensures every policy is tailored to your needs. When you choose Aviva through us, you’ll get:

• Unbiased advice

• Transparent pricing

• Ongoing support for reviews and claims

• No pressure, no jargon – just quality advice

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📞 Book a Free Protection Review Today

Whether you already have cover or are exploring your options for the first time, we can help.

👉 Call us on 0161 823 1733
📩 Or contact us online

We’ll help you find the right protection for your needs, backed by trusted providers like Aviva.

At Red Star Financial Services, we specialise in finding tailored insurance solutions for individuals and families across the UK. One of our trusted partners is The Exeter – a leading mutual insurer offering life insurance, income protection, and private medical cover, with a strong focus on people who may have been declined elsewhere due to health reasons.

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🏛️ Who Are The Exeter?

Founded in 1927, The Exeter is a UK-based mutual society. Unlike traditional insurers, it has no shareholders, meaning profits are reinvested back into better services and claims support for its members. The Exeter has built a strong reputation for inclusive underwriting, particularly for those with complex health profiles.

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💼 Income Protection with The Exeter

Income First is The Exeter’s flagship income protection insurance, designed to support you financially if illness or injury stops you from working.

Key Features:

• ✅ Short-term (2 or 5 years) or full-term benefit periods

• ✅ Choose from guaranteed or reviewable premiums

• ✅ Waiver of premium included as standard

• ✅ Designed to suit NHS staff and teachers

• ✅ 96% of income protection claims paid in 2022

If you’re looking for income protection insurance in the UK that fits around your career and health needs, this policy is well worth a look.

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🏥 Health Insurance – Health+ by The Exeter

Health+ is a private medical insurance plan offering rapid access to treatment and support for a wide range of health issues.

Core Benefits:

• ✅ Unlimited inpatient and day-patient treatment

• ✅ Full cancer cover included

• ✅ Optional mental health and therapies cover

• ✅ Free access to the HealthWise app – includes 24/7 GP, physio, mental health and more

It’s ideal for individuals seeking private health insurance in the UK with flexible, customisable options.

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❤️ Life Insurance from The Exeter

The Exeter offers two life insurance policies designed with real-world health needs in mind:

🔹 Real Life:

For individuals with serious or multiple health conditions – including those previously declined by other insurers.

🔹 Managed Life:

For people with high BMI or Type 2 diabetes, where premiums can reduce if health improves over time.

Key Life Cover Features:

• ✅ Cover available up to £3 million

• ✅ Age eligibility: 18–80, with cover lasting up to age 90

• ✅ Level, decreasing or increasing cover options

• ✅ Terminal illness benefit included

• ✅ Redundancy premium holiday available

• ✅ Joint life separation option

If you’re looking for inclusive life insurance in the UK, these policies offer flexibility where many providers fall short.

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🤝 Why We Recommend The Exeter

• ✅ Trusted UK mutual insurer with nearly 100 years of experience

• ✅ Inclusive underwriting for complex or non-standard health cases

• ✅ High claims payout rates across all products

• ✅ Added value via the HealthWise app and built-in policy support features

Whether you’re looking for affordable income protection, specialist life insurance, or private medical insurance, The Exeter is a provider we’re proud to recommend.

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📞 Speak to a Specialist Adviser

At Red Star Financial Services, we take the time to understand your needs and match you with the right policy and provider. Whether you’re concerned about being declined due to health or want a plan that rewards better wellbeing, our team is here to help.

📧 hello@redstarfs.com
📞 0161 823 1733
🔗 Contact us now to book your free consultation