Shareholder / Partner Protection
If a business owner dies unexpectedly or suffers a serious illness, this can have severe financial consequences for both their dependents and the business. Shareholder / Partner Protection ensures the dependents of the deceased (or in the case of illness, the shareholder themselves) can receive a fair value for their shares and the remaining business owners can retain control of the company. Without this, in the case of death, the deceased's dependents could find themselves unexpectedly becoming involved in a business they have little or no experience of. In most circumstances this is not what they or the remaining business owners want. In the case of serious illness, this cover could allow the owner to exit the business with adequate financial compensation and enable the remaining owners to retain control. In either case it is vital the right Cross Option agreements are in place - please see below.

Advice on Cross Option Agreements, Shareholder Agreements and Company Wills
In conjunction with Shareholder / Partner Protection, it is important for both the surviving owners of the business and the existing shareholder (or their dependents in the event of death) that these agreements are in place and up to date. They lay down, in black and white, the rights and duties of each party. They protect all parties to ensure a swift and amicable settlement. This can be especially important when those involved have suffered bereavement or are paralysed by the worry which serious illness can bring.

Keyman Protection
Imagine an important member of your business hadn't come in to work this morning. Now imagine they weren't coming for the next six months due to illness, accident or disability. How would this affect your business? The chances are you may need to bring in temporary help as well as continue to pay their salary. Turnover may decline, key clients may be lost if neglected. If you don't take on temporary staff, other employees may be de-motivated by the extra workload for little or no extra pay. They may leave placing further pressure on your business. These are just a few of the potential impacts which could ultimately be the end of your business. Keyman protection is designed to help you and your business cope financially with the loss of a key employee through illness or injury.

Death-in Service Schemes
A group life assurance plan such as this could be a simple inexpensive and tax efficient way of providing life assurance for you and your employees, via your business. The unit cost of group cover is usually less than for an individual and with 'free cover limits', you could arrange cover up to an agreed ceiling, without the need for medical information. This could be particularly useful if you of your staff have struggled to get life assurance on an individual basis.

If you already have a scheme in place we can research the whole of the market to ensure you have the most suitable scheme, at the lowest cost.

Life Insurance
The need to provide for family and the business in the event of an untimely demise is of paramount importance. You may need to protect yourself, a shareholder or a key employee. There are numerous methods of achieving this aim. We will work with you to find the most suitable for your circumstances.

Critical Illness
How would it affect you and your business if you, a shareholder or key employee should be diagnosed with a serious illness or critical condition? The consequences of, for example, a stroke, cancer, heart attack, kidney failure, a major organ transplant or coronary artery bypass surgery, may be financially devastating for you and your business. Just when you need it least, you or your business is faced with finding money to rebuild and get on with life. By taking action to protect yourself, shareholders, or key employees, you can enjoy life to the full in the knowledge that if the worst happens, at least you won't have to worry about money.

Income Protection
If you or a key employee should be unable to work through illness and/or accident, you may not be able to meet your financial obligations. This may be paying for your mortgage, car, food, etc or ensuring your business can continue to pay an employee's salary when turnover may be decreasing, due to them not being at work.

Private Medical Insurance
If you or a key employee were off sick due to an accident or illness, it could have severe consequences on your business's turnover. Private Medical Insurance can protect you from delays and waiting lists within the current National Health Service, so aiding recovery. This in turn could minimise time off work and its adverse effect on your business.