Always remember the old adage that protection is the cornerstone of all financial planning.
When you’re revisiting your customer, explain that wills and lasting powers of attorney are only part of the package.
Make sure what they have in place is still relevant and, if not, you can guide them into putting the right measures in place.
Bear in mind, we’ve all had a bit of a shock to the system so they’re likely to be open to revisiting these very important areas – especially when it comes to financial protection for the family.
It may be that your firm already has a good balance and diversity of skills in the team that includes a specialist in this area.
But if you need to refresh your memory of the issues, you might consider reviewing the relevant modules of your Diploma in Financial Advice (DipFA), particularly Advanced Financial Advice (AFA) which covers the principles of investment, retirement planning and protection – and how they all connect.
Aside from a little revision, you can incorporate swotting up on protection and insurance into your continued professional development (CPD).
As we rethink our world and look ahead, it’s important to learn from the past.
The individuals and families you take care of will need to be ready for whatever life throws at them.
As financial advisers, we’re there for the hard times as well as the good. We’re there to guide people throughout their financial lifetime – for the journey, not just the destination.
And we need to make sure our clients are prepared for the pitfalls as well as on course for a prosperous and happy future.
John Somerville is head of regulatory relationships at The London Institute of Banking and Finance (LIBF)
