Protection Advice That Puts Clients First: Celebrating Emma's Rising Star Nomination

This week, our colleague Emma travelled to London with Donna, as a nominee for the Rising Star Award. She didn't take the trophy home, but we couldn't be prouder of her anyway. A nomination means someone looked at her work, her clients, and her attitude and picked her out of a crowded field. 

Her nomination also gives us a good reason to talk about something close to our hearts. When Donna Murray set up Greenshoots Financial, she put protection at the centre of the business. She has always been passionate about it, and that has never changed.

The thinking is simple. A mortgage gets you the keys. Protection helps you keep the home if life takes a turn you didn't plan for. Advice that stops at the mortgage only does half the job.

For most people, a mortgage is the biggest debt they will ever take on. Most people also rely on one or two incomes to repay it. If one of those sources of income stops, the repayments don't.

That is where protection comes in. The main types are:

• Life insurance, which pays out if you die during the policy term.

• Critical illness cover, which pays out if you are diagnosed with a serious illness listed in the policy.

• Income protection, which pays a regular income if illness or injury stops you working.

State support is limited. Savings run out faster than most people expect. A good policy gives your family breathing space to cope with the illness or loss without also worrying about the roof over their heads.

That is why a mortgage broker should raise protection in every conversation. It isn't an add-on. It is part of looking after the client properly.

At Greenshoots, protection is part of the conversation from the start. Emma, like every adviser here, asks about it when she helps clients buy, remortgage or move home.

We look at your income, your outgoings, your family and your existing cover. We explain the options in plain English. Then we search the whole of the market for cover that fits your situation and your budget. We never push a policy you don't need. We also review cover as life changes. A new baby, a bigger mortgage, a new job or a divorce can all mean the cover you chose years ago no longer fits.

Greenshoots Financial is a whole-of-market mortgage and protection brokerage. Our head office is in Bathgate, with hubs in Livingston and Kilcreggan. We help clients across West Lothian, Helensburgh, Rosneath and the wider Argyll area, and we advise clients across Scotland.

Whether you are a first-time buyer in Bathgate or a family moving to the Clyde coast, we can help you protect what matters most.

Protection questions we hear often:

What is mortgage protection?

Mortgage protection means insurance that helps pay your mortgage if you die, are diagnosed with a serious illness or can't work. The right type depends on your circumstances, so speak to an adviser before you choose.

Do I need protection if I have a mortgage?

The law doesn't force you to take out protection with a mortgage. Most people still choose to, because a missed payment can put the home at risk. An adviser can show you what cover makes sense for you.

How much does protection cost?

The cost depends on your age, health, smoking status, the amount of cover and the length of the policy. A quote is the quickest way to find out.

Congratulations again to Emma on her Rising Star nomination. We are proud to work alongside her, and we can't wait to see what comes next. 

If you would like to talk about protecting your home and your family, get in touch with the Greenshoots Financial team today.

Greenshoots Financial is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Please note your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.