Group protection for SMEs

I'm Hamish Ward, SME broker development specialist here at Aviva. In this short video we'll show you how to build an SME benefits package that works in the real world. Balancing meaningful support for employees with budgets that need to stretch further.

We'll cover how to position group protection in a way that resonates with your clients. How to flex cover to suit different business needs, and how to get everything set up quickly and simply. 

Let's start with the essentials. At Aviva, we focus on three core products group life insurance, where a lump sum is paid if an employee dies, group income protection, an income if somebody can't work due to illness or injury, and group critical illness, a lump sum if an employee or their child is diagnosed with a defined critical illness, undergoes or meets the definition of a defined operation. 

But for SMEs, it's not about offering everything. It's about offering the right mix. And that's where flexibility matters. You can cover the whole workforce or shape benefits around budget. That might mean starting with a core benefit like group life, then adding group income protection later, or offering different levels of cover for different roles within the same scheme. It gives you a way to build something meaningful without needing a significant budget from day one. 

Here are a few examples of how you can tailor quotes to better meet your client's needs. For group life and group critical illness, one of the most obvious options is to adjust the sum assured the members are covered for, whether that's a fixed amount or a multiple of salary. Alternatively, you can look at when employees join the scheme, for example, whether there’s a service requirement before they become eligible for group income protection. 

There are a number of ways we can adjust the final premium. The product itself can offer cover of up to 80% of a member salary, or 50% if they are equity partner. One option, of course, is to reduce that level of cover, which will have a direct impact on the overall premium. Alternatively, you can look at how long the benefit will be paid for, whether it runs to the end of the policy term or includes a limited payment period, typically between 2 and 5 years. 

We can also consider whether pension contributions are included, as this will also affect the premium produced. So when should you bring up group protection into the conversation? Maybe already having these conversations. If you're discussing general insurance or individual protection for key people, it's a natural step to introduce group protection. And for SME clients, the needs can be more immediate. 

Smaller teams often feel the impact more deeply when something goes wrong. A longer absence or a serious illness can affect not just the business, but the people around them too. For employers, premiums can often be treated as a business expense, meaning they’re tax deductible. But more importantly, these benefits help attract and retain good people, and with the added support available, they can help sustain a healthy, resilient workforce. 

Information about tax is based on our current understanding of legislation. The law relating to tax may change in the future. For employees, it's about support that shows up when they need it. For example, our finger-prick health check available through the Aviva DigiCare+ Workplace app, which looks at 20 key markers across seven areas, helping to spot concerns early. 

The app also offers access to digital GP appointments so people can get the support they need quickly without time away from work. And we keep things simple. Most policies include a free cover level, so many employees won't need medical underwriting, so you can create something flexible, affordable and genuinely valuable from the outset, then build on it over time. 

Getting started is simple. You can quote all three products through our online system Aviva Fusion for schemes between 3 and 250 employees. Quotes are quick and in many cases cover can be in place the next day. Once issued, quotes are valid for three months. Wellbeing services are non-contractual benefits which Aviva can change or withdraw at any time. 

Some services are provided by third parties. Terms and residency restrictions apply. To find out more. Speak to your Aviva contact. 

 Hello again. I'm Hamish Ward, SME broker development specialist here. In this short video we'll show you how Aviva's wellbeing services can help you support your SME clients, not just when something goes wrong, but every day. Group protection is built around financial support, but for many SMEs it’s the added wellbeing services that make the biggest difference. They help businesses build a healthier, more resilient workforce, supporting employees before issues escalate.

And for smaller businesses where every person plays a key role, even short periods of absence can have a real impact on productivity, cost and team wellbeing. With Aviva, support spans physical, mental and financial wellbeing. It's all designed to help employees stay well, stay in work and feel supported when they need it most. All insured employees have access to the Aviva DigiCare+ Workplace app.

It gives them direct, easy access to guidance and support, helping them take control of their health day to day. And importantly, it can also be used by their immediate family, extending that support beyond the individual. Through the app, employees can access a range of services including a finger-prick health check, a second medical opinion, mental health support, digital GP appointments and nutrition advice.

These aren't just nice to have benefits, they're designed to support earlier awareness of potential health concerns and encourage a more proactive approach to wellbeing.

All employees, not just those insured, can also access the Employee Assistance Programme. This offers practical, confidential support across everyday challenges, from work pressures to financial concerns and relationship issues. Helping employees stay focused, supported and productive.

For all employees. There's also access to legal and practical support services. With Red Apple Law, employees can manage legal matters in one place, giving them reassurance and support through important life decisions. Where specialist support is needed, employees can access targeted guidance and resources, including Get Active Cancer Care offers and Macmillan Support guides, offering advice and reassurance if they or someone close to them is living with cancer. To support employee mental health.

our group protection policies offer access to a range of practical content and everyday wellbeing support. This includes the Wellbeing Library and mental health video content, helping employees better understand and manage their health in a way that works for them. There are also access to discounts and lifestyle support designed to encourage healthier habits and make wellbeing more accessible day to day.

This is how we help SMEs go beyond protection, offering a range of services focused on prevention, wellbeing and resilience. The full range of services available will depend on the type of cover, selected wellbeing services and non-contractual benefits which Aviva can change or withdraw at any time. Some services are provided by third parties. Terms and residency restrictions apply.

To find out more speak to  your Aviva contact.

Hi again. I'm Hamish Ward, SME broker development specialist here at Aviva. If you're supporting SME clients, you'll want a quicker, simpler way to quote and manage group protection. That's where Aviva Fusion can help. Aviva Fusion gives you a simple way to quote for your SME clients and manage everything in one place. You can typically generate a quote in around 20 minutes, helping you respond faster and keep momentum with your clients.

When you're working with SMEs, time matters, expectations are higher, and decisions move quickly. Aviva Fusion is designed to help you keep up without adding complexity. And it's not just for quoting. You can manage schemes of any size in one place, from initiating rate reviews and renewals to accessing scheme history.

Getting started is straightforward. Head to our adviser website by searching Aviva Adviser and select login or register in the top right corner.

It only takes a few minutes to get set up, and we'll get you up and running as quickly as possible.

Once set up, simply log in and start quoting.

To generate a quote for SME business. Just follow the simple guided journey. You can quote for group life, group income protection, group critical illness. For schemes with 3 to 250 lives.  

Before you begin, you'll see a clear overview of what you'll need, along with tools to support you, including a membership data template, a step-by-step user guide, and a client eligibility tracker.

The process is designed to be intuitive. If you're unsure on anything, on screen guidance will point you in the right direction. To get started, you’ll need a Companies House Number. Because Aviva Fusion integrates with Companies House. You can quickly find your client and autofill key details, helping you move faster from quote to outcome.

The journey is clear and structured, covering client and scheme details, eligibility including policy structure and additional scheme requirements. Location and travel information covering business location and any overseas employee travel, medical underwriting and claims history where applicable.

 

Category setup including benefit levels and employee groups. Next, upload your membership data using our template or your own file. You can review and edit the data with any gaps clearly highlighted so nothing is missed. When you're ready, just select Get quote.

You'll then see a clear summary which you can share with your client to confirm everything is accurate. Once agreed, you can place the scheme on risk from the next day. Choosing a start date that works for your client.

While Aviva Fusion is built with SME business in mind, there's some features you can use with your larger clients too. You can start renewals and rate reviews from within the platform, Access scheme history, including up to six years of claims and premium history and up to date underwriting information. So whether you're supporting fast moving SME clients or managing larger schemes or both, you've got everything in one place.

As soon as you log in, everything is clearly laid out. There’s create a quote where you can generate new business quotes. Retrieve a quote where you can revisit saved quotes, make amendments, or continue through the on risk journey.

Manage and renew policies where you can view existing business, check upcoming renewals and update membership data, and finally, helpful resources providing access to user guides, technical documents, brochures and key contact information.

We're here to help you with any queries while using the platform, just simply reach out to your dedicated account manager for additional support. Because when you've got the right tools behind you.

You can spend less time on admin and more time supporting your clients. To find out more get in touch with your Aviva contact.