Katharine Moxham, chief executive of Grid, said: “Emotional and financial support is needed on an unprecedented scale right now, and it will be group risk benefits that employers will look to provide it.
“I’m very proud of how our industry steps up to the mark during times of need.
“Each employer’s arrangements will be specific to them, so it’s important they understand what’s covered within their own schemes, to make sure they’re getting all the support available for those dealing with the effects of Covid-19.
“If they haven’t already engaged with their advisers, now is the time.”
Wellbeing initiatives
In addition to access to doctors, consultants, nurses and counsellors, many policies now offer wellness and wellbeing initiatives, particularly in the group insurance space.
But while gym membership or dental coverage is worthwhile in normal times, we are not in normal times – and the gyms are on lockdown.
That is why Vitality decided to create Vitality at Home – a range of wellbeing initiatives to help policyholders keep healthy both physically and mentally.
The service, which launched at the end of March, provides free access to home workouts on both Peloton and Jessica Ennis-Hill’s app Jennis, with members able to earn points automatically when they workout.
Vitality At Home is also offering up to 50 per cent on selected Garmin and Polar devices to help members track their workouts, while its active reward facility allows members to get up to two free movies on demand at home each week for being active and racking up points.
Moreover, it has boosted the discount available on Waitrose’s Good Health range to 25 per cent off.
Neville Koopowitz, chief executive of Vitality, says: “During these exceptionally testing times, where people are trying to get to grips with remote working – many for the first time ever – while also possibly juggling family and home-schooling, it would be all too easy to let health and wellbeing slip.
“In launching Vitality At Home, we wanted to ensure our members receive all the support they need to adjust to this new life and working.”
FAQs
Advisers have also found many clients have been using helplines to ask very similar questions, such as whether their life insurance policies will pay out on coronavirus-related deaths, or whether they will be able to get insurance in the future if they have had Covid-19.
To help answer these, Finder has created an online resource collating a host of answers, available on its website.
Katia Iervasi, insurance writer at Finder.com, says: “During a global health crisis like the coronavirus, it’s natural to think about financial planning and how you can protect yourself and your family. Fortunately, the guidelines about life insurance are pretty clear cut.
