AIG launches Smart Health – 24/7 GP and Health & Wellbeing

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AIG have launched Smart Health. It gives unlimited access to a 24/7 virtual GP as well as a range of other health and wellbeing experts. With any AIG policy, Smart Health is available at no extra cost.

24/7 virtual GP

Managing your health doesn’t always fit in to the 9-5. That’s why when you need a medical appointment, the Smart Health service provides you with unlimited, round the clock access to a GP.

Bookable on the app, you can get a 30-minute slot at a time that suits you – wherever you are in the world. Whether it’s over the phone or via video call, the AIG team are on hand for medical advice, prescriptions or further specialist referral.

Best Doctors – a second medical opinion service

This gives you and your family access to a network of 50,000+ medical specialists with the expert service from Best Doctors.

If you need a second opinion on a complex medical case or if you’re struggling to get a diagnosis, world-leading experts will be on hand to assess your case and provide recommendations for treatment on a wide variety of conditions.

Mental health support

The dedicated team of support staff are available to provide the right support strategy and treatment. They’ll talk to you to get to the bottom of your condition and then recommend the right solution for you.

Whether it’s to help you cope with stress, anxiety, trauma, depression or a recent bereavement, the service is there to help you or one of your family members when you need it.

Health check

The Smart Health online questionnaire supports you in taking proactive steps to manage your health and lifestyle. You can also discover more about your cardiovascular profile or any screening programmes that may suit you.

You’ll get a personalised report that’s unique to you, containing tips for improving medical conditions and nutrition, as well as forming healthy habits for the future.

Fitness programme

Smart Health’s tailored online 4 or 8 week programme, designed by sports coaches and nutrition experts, are an ideal solution to support your health and fitness goals through a combination of diet and exercise.

Whether training for an event or just wanting to lose weight, you’ll get a weekly menu and a daily exercise routine that is designed just for you.

Nutrition consultation

Our nutrition consultation service can be requested either over the phone or online. A team of specialist nutritionists are on hand to give advice on weight loss, pregnancy, food intolerances and much more.

Their expert advice and knowledge will provide you with a personalised plan, including meal plans and weekly menus, all to support you in reaching your nutritional goals.

Source: AIG Your Smart Health toolkit, Customer Sales Aid, 2019

Please note for these insurance products, terms and conditions apply. This information is for summary only. You will receive a full policy document upon application. This policy will set out the terms, conditions and limitations of cover provided under the plan.

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Our expert protection advisers can arrange the correct life insurance policy for you. Speak with our expert advisers by calling 01224 316200, email us or fill in our online enquiry form.

Lifetime Finance Group Limited trading as Aberdeen Mortgage Company is an appointed representative of PRIMIS Mortgage Network, a trading name of First Complete Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

400,000 UK Cancer Population Struggle to Pay Household Bills

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A recent report from Macmillan Cancer Support, state there are 400,000 of the UK cancer population who struggle to pay household bills [1].

With improvements to diagnostics and treatments, the cancer population is increasing, but surviving cancer doesn’t mean living well. Everyone’s priority should be ensuring every person living with cancer gets the financial support they need when they need it.

Cancer diagnoses are typically sudden, and people often don’t realise the extent to which their finances are likely to be affected. 45% of people are taken by surprise by the extent of the financial impact of their diagnosis [2].

What’s your financial back-up plan?

If you were to be diagnosed with a critical illness, you’d want to ensure you and your family are financially protected.

Critical Illness Cover is designed to financially support you in case the worst happens, and you are diagnosed with a critical condition that is specified in your policy such as cancer, heart attack or stroke. You would receive a lump sum payout or regular payment. It could help ease your recovery by paying out the money you need for your care and treatment, your recuperation, help pay off your mortgage or make up for lost income.

Read our blog of The Difference Between Serious Illness Cover and Critical Illness Cover.

Our expert protection advisers can arrange the correct life and critical illness insurance policy for you. Speak to our expert protection advisers today, call 01224 316200 or fill in our online enquiry form.

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Lifetime Finance Group Limited trading as Aberdeen Mortgage Company is an appointed representative of PRIMIS Mortgage Network, a trading name of First Complete Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

[1] Macmillan Cancer Support/YouGov online survey of 2,011 UK adults who have ever been diagnosed with cancer. Fieldwork conducted 7–11 November 2014. Survey data has been weighted by age and gender to match the known profile of people living with cancer (using 2008 cancer prevalence estimates).

[2] Macmillan Cancer Support/Truth online survey of 955 adults in England, Scotland and Wales who have a cancer diagnosis. Fieldwork was undertaken between 3–21 September 2015. Data has been weighted.

Teachers Income Protection

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Teachers endure greater job-related stress than other professionals, according to the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) [1].

Research revealed that 3,750 teachers were signed off on long-term sick leave in 2017 because of pressure of work, anxiety and mental illness. [2]

Sick pay for teachers – not that straightforward

Teachers working in the public sector don’t always have straightforward sick pay arrangements. Some teachers in the UK receive significant sick pay, which can be as much as 6 months of full sick pay and a further 6 months of half sick pay. However, sick pay for teachers can differ greatly. Some teachers’ sick pay will work on a tiered system following years in service.

What’s the solution?

Teachers Income Protection is an insurance that can help you when you unable to earn from your normal income. If you are unable to work due to injury or illness, you could receive a monthly income until you return to work or the policy reaches the end of its term. From as little as 59 pence a day, you could receive £1,750 a month*.

*Based on a female teacher, non-smoker, aged 34, on an income of £35,000, total monthly price £17.75

Speak with our expert income protection advisers today, call 01224 316200 or fill in our online enquiry form.

Terms and conditions apply. This information is a summary only. You will receive a full policy document upon application. This policy will set out the terms, conditions and limitations of this product.

Sources:
[1] Guardian, February 2019
[2] Liberal Democrats Freedom of Information Request, 2018

Lifetime Finance Group Limited trading as Aberdeen Mortgage Company is an appointed representative of PRIMIS Mortgage Network trading as First Complete Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

60% of Stroke Victims Fall Within Working Age

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Could you and your family cope without your income?

Recent statistics released by RedArc have shown almost two-thirds of stroke victims (60%) fall within the traditional working age bracket of 40 to 59.

One in four of the 100,000 strokes in the UK each year [1] happen to people of working age or younger. Almost two-thirds of stroke survivors leave hospital with a disability [2].

So not only does a stroke incur significant recovery time but it can also require potential rehabilitation too. Time spent recovering could mean time away from work, therefore having a safety net in place is essential.

Having cover in place such as Income Protection or Critical Illness Cover can help ease your recovery by paying out a lump sum or regular payment when you’re diagnosed with a serious illness. This could cover your care and treatment, your recuperation, help pay off your mortgage or make up for lost income.

Insurance can differ from policy to policy, which is why it is important to take sound advice before taking out a policy.

Our expert protection advisers can help arrange the most suitable policy for you, call 01224 316200 or request a callback.

Request A Callback

Lifetime Finance Group Limited trading as Aberdeen Mortgage Company is an appointed representative of PRIMIS Mortgage Network, a trading name of First Complete Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for mortgages, protection insurance and general insurance products. The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate some forms of Buy to Let. Lifetime Finance Group Limited.

Source:
[1] Different Strokes, January 2018
[2] Stroke Association, State of the Nation, published January 2017

Income Protection Cover – Do You Need It?

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If you are unable to work because of illness, injury or disability – could you still pay your mortgage, bills or other living expenses?

Click on the image for a larger version of the infographic.

IP-DoYouNeedIt

 

Testicular Cancer Awareness Month: 3 Ways To Be Prepared

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April is Testicular Cancer Awareness month. It’s a cancer that’s most common in men ages 15-35 years, but men of all ages can be at risk [1].

Statistics from the Movember Foundation revealed that 1 in 10 men don’t know how to check for signs of the disease [2]. So as it’s Testicular Cancer Awareness month, we’ve put together three key points so that you are prepared.

1. Check Regularly

2,300 men are diagnosed every year in Britain [3]. Most testicular cancer awareness organisations recommend that males conduct regular self-exams. Research from the Movember Foundation concluded that 70% of men aren’t checking regularly enough.

4 out of 5 instances of testicular cancer will be painless, and the only way to detect the disease is with a monthly physical exam.

2. Be prepared financially

As well as making sure you check regularly, you need to ensure you have the right protection in place in case the worst happens to you.

Critical Illness Cover is designed to pay out a lump sum or regular payment to ease your recovery if the worst was to happen to you are diagnosed with a serious illness specified in your policy.

Most people believe that a critical illness will never happen to them, but most of us know of someone either directly or through friends and family that has been affected. When considering Critical Illness Cover, it’s worth thinking about the effect of not being protected.

Having Critical Illness Cover in place can help ease your recovery by paying out the money you need for your care and treatment, your recuperation, help pay off your mortgage or make up for lost income.

With the good news that survival rates are increasing for certain conditions [4], the need for financial protection could be even more important.

Please note for these insurance products terms and conditions apply. This information is a summary only. You will receive a full policy document upon application. This policy will set out the terms, conditions and limitations of cover provided under the plan

3. Pass on the message

If you’re reading this, not only should you be taking notice, but you should remind your friends and family. Most of us know someone that’s in the common age group most affected.

Since the early 1990s, testicular cancer incidence rates have increased by more than a quarter (27%) in males in the UK [5]. It is for this reason that charities like the Movember Foundation are doing their utmost to raise awareness, and now you can do your bit too.

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Our expert protection advisers can help secure you with the right critical illness cover to ensure you are financially protected in case the worst happens to you. To speak with an adviser, call 01224 316200 or fill in our online enquiry form.

Lifetime Finance Group Limited trading as Aberdeen Mortgage Company is an appointed representative of PRIMIS Mortgage Network, a trading name of First Complete Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for mortgages, protection insurance and general insurance products. The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate some forms of Buy to Let. Lifetime Finance Group Limited.

Sources:
[1] Testicular Cancer Awareness, March 2018, www.testicularcancerawarenessmonth.com
[2] Movember Foundation, March 2018
[3] Cancer Research UK, March 2018
[4] Cancer Research UK, http://scienceblog.cancerresearchuk.org/2018/02/03/news-digest-cancer-survival-breast-cancer-drug-cancer-jab-trials-and-vaping/, February 2018
[5] Cancer Research UK, http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics/statistics-by-cancer-type/testicular-cancer/incidence, March 2018

Critical Illness Cover: How it Helps You & Your Child

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Critical Illness Cover is designed to financially support you in case the worst happens, and you are diagnosed with a critical condition that is specified in your policy. Most people don’t realise that children are actually one of the most common reasons for people needing to claim.

Critical Illness Cover from AIG automatically covers any child that you have now or in the future as standard. Their enhanced children’s critical illness cover allows a parent to claim up to 50% of the value of their policy (up to a maximum of £35,000) if their child is diagnosed with one of the critical illnesses they cover.

Their protection covers a child from day one. If a child is in intensive care (eg. severe case of premature child) for 7 days then AIG will pay out full benefit.

AIG Children’s Critical Illness Cover overview:

  • A payment of up to £35,000 for major conditions that can affect children including cancer and heart failure;
  • Ten additional child-specific conditions such as Craniosynostosis, Down’s syndrome, Hydrocephalus, Patau syndrome and a benefit payable should the child require a stay in intensive care;
  • A double payment of up to £70,000 if the child’s treatment is only available overseas;
  • Cover on congenital conditions if the parents were unaware their child had it when they took out the cover;
  • Cover up to the age of 22 regardless of whether or not they are in full-time education;
  • Cover for any children your client has now or in the future;
  • Child life cover of £10,000 payable if a child dies during the term of the cover. This benefit is provided in addition to any claim made under children’s critical illness.

In addition, AIG will pay a pregnancy cover benefit of £5,000 if the person covered suffers from a defined complication during pregnancy.

Our expert protection advisers can arrange the correct life & critical illness insurance policy for you whether with AIG or another provider. Call 01224 316200 or fill in our enquiry form.

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Sources: AIG, Discover our all new Critical Illness with Term Assurance – Sales aid, 2018

Lifetime Finance Group Ltd trading as Aberdeen Mortgage Company is an appointed representative of PRIMIS Mortgage Network, a trading name of First Complete Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for mortgages, protection insurance and general insurance products.

Lifetime Finance Group Limited. Registered office 1st floor, 207 Bath Street, Glasgow, G2 4HZ.

Serious Illness Cover Vs Critical Illness Cover

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Critical illness can strike at any time.

  • 1 in 2 people in the UK (born after 1960) will be diagnosed with some form of cancer during their lifetime. [1]
  • Every 7 minutes someone will have a heart attack [2]
  • Every 12 minutes someone will have a stroke [2]

Serious Illness Cover from Vitality helps protect you financially if the worst was to happen to you, and you fall ill with one of the 178 conditions that they cover. They pay out a cash lump sum based on the severity of your condition. It gives you financial stability allowing you plenty of time to recover.

Serious illness cover works differently from typical critical illness cover, in the way it pays out on less severe conditions as well as the more critical ones. So if you get ill and need to claim, Vitality will give you a percentage of your cover depending on how severe your condition is. This means that if a condition gets caught early on, a portion of your cover will be paid out. You’ll also have the rest of your cover should you need to claim in the future.

There are two types of serious illness cover offered by Vitality. Comprehensive and Primary. Comprehensive Serious Illness Cover covers you for 178 conditions and Primary Serious Illness Cover which covers you for 145 conditions.

Example, Eye to age 70.

Condition Percentage payout Primary     Comprehensive
Blindness (permanent & irreversible) Severity A – 100% (most severe) ✔ ✔
Severity B – 75% ✔ ✔
Significant Visual Impairment Severity C – 50% ✔ ✔
Central Blindness Severity D – 25% ✔ ✔
Blindness in one eye Severity E – 15% ✖ ✔
Corneal Transplant Severity F – 10% ✖ ✔
Severity G – 5% (least severe) ✖ ✔

Source: How does Serious Illness Cover on the VitalityLife plan compare?, August 18

Our expert protection advisers can arrange the correct life insurance policy for you. Call 01224 316200 or fill in our online enquiry form.

Request a Callback

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Sources: Vitality, Serious Illness Cover Frequently Asked Questions, 2018

  1. Cancer Research UK, 2018
  2. Heart UK, 2018

Lifetime Finance Group Ltd trading as Aberdeen Mortgage Company is an appointed representative of PRIMIS Mortgage Network, a trading name of First Complete which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for mortgages, protection insurance and general insurance products.

Lifetime Planning Limited. Registered office 1st floor, 207 Bath Street, Glasgow, G2 4HZ.

Could Global Treatment save your life?

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Serious illnesses like cancer and heart conditions are all too common. While our country’s healthcare system is advanced, sometimes the very latest treatment options may not be available in the UK.

  • There are currently around 6,000 people on the UK Transplant Waiting List. Last year over 400 people died while waiting for a transplant [1].
  • 1 in 2 people in the UK born after 1960 will be diagnosed with some form of cancer during their lifetime [2].
  • Everyday in the UK, 530 people suffer from a heart attack [3].

Global treatment from Aviva is designed to give you and your child more treatment options in case either of you are diagnosed with a serious illness. It provides you with access to medical experts around the world, an expert second opinion and overseas treatment.

What’s covered?

Global treatment covers you and your eligible children, if diagnosed with a serious illness, for the cost of medical treatment in respect of the following:

  • Cancer treatment
  • Coronary artery bypass surgery
  • Heart valve replacement or repair
  • Neurosurgery (for conditions like benign brain or spinal tumours)
  • Live-donor organ transplants
  • Bone marrow transplant

Travel and Accommodation

  • Global treatment also pays for and organises travel and 3-4-star accommodation for you and a companion. If it’s your child who is ill, Global treatment will pay the expenses for both parents (or a parent and a companion).

Cash allowance

  • There’s an upfront cash allowance of £100 per day of hospitalisation overseas for up to 60 days.

Medication

  • Global Treatment also covers ongoing medication costs up to £50,000, on return to the UK for approved medications that are not funded, or only partially funded by the NHS.

How much does Global Treatment cost?

Global Treatment is an additional option with any Aviva Protection cover. The benefit costs £4 a month per person but also covers the policyholder’s children.

Who to contact

Speak to our expert protection advisers about getting the right life insurance policy for you, call 01224 316200 or fill in our online enquiry form.

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Source: Aviva – Global Treatment provided in conjunction with Best Doctors® and BDUI®, 2018

[1] NHS https://www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/what-we-do/transplantation-services/organ-donation-and-transplantation/, August 2018
[2] Cancer Research UK, August 2018
[3] British Heart Foundation, CVD statistics – BHF UK Factsheet, August 2018

Lifetime Finance Group Limited trading as Aberdeen Mortgage Company is an appointed representative of PRIMIS Mortgage Network, a trading name of First Complete Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for mortgages, protection insurance and general insurance products.

Lifetime Finance Group Limited. Registered office 1st floor, 207 Bath Street, Glasgow, G2 4HZ.

8 out of 10 mortgage holders have no Income Protection. Are you one of them?

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According to a recent article in FT Adviser, “Homeowners in Britain are woefully under-prepared in the event of long-term sickness, accident or ill health.”1

Nobody plans to get hit by a bus but these things do happen. Should you be left unable to work do you have a plan in place to keep paying your bills and mortgage?

Royal London’s recently commissioned State of the Protection Nation research highlights that only 19% of people with a mortgage have income protection in place, which leaves 81% unprotected!2 Is this you?

While you’re probably aware of the benefits of protection, the expertise of an adviser can help steer you in the right direction to ensure you’re protected when you need it most. If you take a look at LV=’s Risk Reality Calculator it will show you the likelihood of needing to claim on income protection, critical illness cover and life cover based on their research.

But it’s not only mortgage holders that need protection in place, renters need income protection just as much as homeowners. After all, the chances of an accident or illness making you unable to work don’t go away just because you rent!

Contact us today to see how we can help you find the right income protection policy for your needs, our panel of providers can offer something for everyone.

Call 01224 316200 or fill in our online enquiry form.

Request a Callback

Sources:
1: FT Adviser, 8 out of 10 mortgage holders have no income protection, May 2018
2: Royal London, State of the Protection Nation, May 2018
3: LV= Risk Reality Calculator http://riskreality.co.uk/gen

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Lifetime Finance Group Limited is a trading name of Aberdeen Mortgage Company which is an appointed representative of PRIMIS Mortgage Network, a trading name of First Complete Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for mortgages, protection insurance and general insurance products.

Lifetime Finance Group Limited. Registered office 1st floor, 207 Bath Street, Glasgow, G2 4HZ. Registered in Scotland No: SC589768.