In this episode, Matt and Stevie take a deep dive into vocational rehabilitation, a crucial but often overlooked part of the claims journey. This episode forms part of the IPTF’s ‘7 Claims Stories’ series and explores how tailored rehab support can transform a person’s recovery after illness or injury. They’re joined by Phil Deacon, who leads the project, alongside vocational rehab consultant Monica Garcia and protection adviser Charlotte Rogers, who each bring a unique perspective on helping people get back to work with confidence and care.

Vocational rehabilitation plays a transformative role in people's lives by supporting individuals with health conditions and disabilities to stay in work, return to work and sustain employment. This missing link in the recovery journey helps bridge the gap between medical treatment and a person's ability to perform their specific job functions.

Listen now to learn more about:

• How vocational rehabilitation consultants assess both physical and cognitive demands of roles to create bespoke return-to-work plans
• Common mental health conditions, musculoskeletal problems and cancer are the top three reasons for income protection claims
• How only 45% of the working population has access to occupational health support
• Why proportional benefit allows claimants to gradually increase working hours while maintaining some financial support
• How self-employed individuals are particularly vulnerable without workplace support structures
• Why the biopsychosocial model helps identify who needs additional support to return to work
• How early intervention significantly increases the chances of a successful return to work
• Why a 12-18 period off work means chances of returning "fall off a cliff"
• How advisers should encourage clients to notify insurers early, even with longer deferred periods
• How claims assessors need better training to identify when vocational rehabilitation could help
• How the industry could learn from countries like the Netherlands, the USA and Australia, where employers play a more active role
• How approximately 300,000 people leave the workplace yearly due to health conditions
• Why over 8.2 million people currently live with work-limiting health conditions in the UK

Links from the episode:

For more information, visit the IPTF website at iptf.co.uk, check the Chartered Institute of Insurers' Guide to Income Protection, or explore the Vocational Rehabilitation Association website.

📣 Send the podcast your questions, thoughts or advice to feature on a future episode via:

Voice notes via SpeakPipe
Or email Info@IPTF.co.uk

📣 For More Education, Collaboration and Insight:

IPTF Website
IPTF on LinkedIn
IPTF on YouTube
IP Task Force on Instagram

Produced and edited by SEA Studios

In this episode, Matt and Stevie get down to business...business protection that is! A very technical episode featuring three interviews based on different levels of expertise in the space with guests Tara Cohen, from The Mortgage Centre Direct and one of the IPTF's new 7 Advisers, Nathaniel Lee from Business Protected and from L&G, Dave Butler.

Business protection represents a massive gap in the UK market, with just 1% of protection sales despite a £1.35 trillion opportunity, because nearly every client you speak to is likely connected to a small or medium-sized enterprise that needs protection.

Listen now to learn more about:

• How business protection covers key person protection, shareholder/partnership protection, and business loan protection
• How employee benefits like executive income protection and relevant life policies offer tax-efficient solutions for businesses
• How new advisers should build confidence by understanding business protection language and leaning on BDMs for support
• How executive IP offers higher benefit levels (80%) than personal IP (60%) to account for tax when paid through payroll
• How business owners need education about protection options, as many are unaware that these solutions exist
• How specialist business protection advisors focus on educating clients first, rather than immediately selling products
• Why understanding tax implications is crucial when recommending business protection products
• Why any advisers unsure about business protection should: "Write it or refer it" - don't let clients miss vital protection

Links from the episode:

Visit the IPTF website to access new advisor tools, including underwriting guides, calculators and a glossary of IP terms.

📣 Send the podcast your questions, thoughts or advice to feature on a future episode via:

Voice notes via SpeakPipe
Or email Info@IPTF.co.uk

📣 For More Education, Collaboration and Insight:

IPTF Website
IPTF on LinkedIn
IPTF on YouTube
IP Task Force on Instagram

Produced and edited by SEA Studios

In this month's episode, Matt and Stevie explore the unique role of mutual societies and friendly societies in the income protection market, examining their history, customer benefits, and future growth potential under the new Labour government by speaking to Andrew Morris, CEO of Cirencester Friendly and Nicola Huxley of Sphere Financial Services

Listen now to learn more about:

• How Mutuals and friendlies are owned by members (policyholders) rather than shareholders
• How these societies often excel at providing cover for clients with niche occupations or pre-existing conditions
• The Labour government's commitment to doubling the size of the mutual finance sector as part of its manifesto
• How Nicola Huxley's insights into focusing on multi-policy rather than multi-benefit sourcing to help identify mutual options
• How mutuals reinvest profits to benefit members
• Mutuals often provide more personalised underwriting and claims experiences
• The legislative challenges the sector faces, but the significant growth opportunities
• How experienced advisers can leverage mutual partnerships for enhanced client retention and business growth

Links from the episode:

• IPTF's 7 Claims Stories - Story 1 with Cirencester Friendly
• Nicola Huxley on Instagram
• Nicola Huxley's "Survive & Thrive" Podcast
• Cirencester Friendly

📣 Send the podcast your questions, thoughts or advice to feature on a future episode via:

Voice notes via SpeakPipe
Or email Info@IPTF.co.uk

📣 For More Education, Collaboration and Insight:

IPTF Website
IPTF on LinkedIn
IPTF on YouTube
IP Task Force on Instagram

Produced and edited by SEA Studios