News.

Maximum benefit increased to 65% of income as part of wider product updates

UK health and life insurer, The Exeter, has today announced its 2025 claims statistics, reporting that over £71m was paid out to members across its health insurance, income protection and life insurance products last year.

Advisers are increasingly recognising the role that financial protection plays during periods of vulnerability, particularly where clients may be at risk of economic abuse. In The Exeter’s October 2025 adviser survey, more than half (54%) reported that they believe financial abuse is becoming more prominent among insurance clients.

Remote GP appointments accounted for 76% of total app usage, increasing by more than 22% year-on-year

Dawn Prescott, Head of Healthcare Proposition, commented on the need for the health sector to meet the needs of a diverse population.

Karen Woodley, Head of Healthcare Distribution, has commented on how heightened public awareness of NHS delays is driving healthcare interest.

•    For advisers working with income protection providers, product quality has grown in importance, rising from 26% in 2024 to 36% in 2025

•  37% of advisers expect health insurance demand to grow in 2026, compared with 30% in 2025
• Advisers citing rising business costs as their biggest challenge increasing from 32% in 2025 to 38% in 2026

Jack Southcott, Head of Protection Proposition, has commented on the importance of being open about  mental health history when applying for income protection.

• Almost a quarter of UK workers have a savings safety net of less than £500 and one in seven have nothing in savings at all, leaving them at high risk should they lose their income
• However, nearly 20% of consumers drop out of protection buying journey and only 35% can correctly identify income protection products if described

Our Head of Healthcare Distribution, Karen Woodley, has commented on the latest NHS waiting list data, which shows that waiting lists for those awaiting treatment on the NHS have fallen to 7.29m patients.

• Nearly three in ten (28%) have had to cancel or postpone plans because of NHS delays
• Close to two-thirds (62%) of adults aged 25-34 report having taken extended leave from work

Jack Southcott, Head of Protection Proposition, has commented on how life insurance demand will be driven by the quality and consistency of protection advice, especially for historically overlooked groups.

 UK health and life insurer The Exeter has announced a series of enhancements to its NHS cash benefit, strengthening financial support for members who receive treatment through the NHS.

• Shepherd joins The Exeter following a 37-year executive career at Swiss Re and GE Capital

• Self-employed workers among the most affected groups (44%), often without employer benefits

• One in five (20%) say they would only wait a maximum of one month on a waiting list
• Fewer than 2% willing to wait more than six months

• 47% of UK adults have less than £5,000 saved in the event of an income emergency
• 54% of all UK adults aged 45-54 have less than £2,500 in savings 
• 14% of UK adults have nothing at all saved to fall back on

• Proportion of UK citizens reporting concern over NHS waiting lists has risen from 39% to 71% since 2023
• Two-thirds (64%) worried about access to non-urgent NHS services, nearly double the 2023 figure
• 43% concerned about being unable to afford private healthcare services