The Exeter

The Exeter

The Exeter: Flexible Income Protection & Life Cover for Unique Health or Employment Needs

Choosing the right life insurance or income protection can feel overwhelming, especially with so many options available.

The Exeter may be one of the lesser-known providers, but it’s built a strong reputation among advisers and customers for its specialist approach and customer-first philosophy.

At Kerr & Watson, we help you with your options so you don’t have to figure it out alone. Whether you’re new to protection or reviewing your existing cover, we’ll guide you through what The Exeter offers and help you decide if it’s the right fit for your personal situation.

Who Are The Exeter?

The Exeter is a mutual insurer, which means it’s owned by its members rather than shareholders. This structure allows it to reinvest profits into better products and customer services. Its roots go back to the 1800s, and while it may not be a household name, it’s highly respected in the protection space, especially when it comes to income protection and health-related cover.

Known for offering products through advisers only, The Exeter works exclusively with brokers. That way, you always receive expert advice with a personalised approach rather than a one-size-fits-all policy.

What Cover Does The Exeter Offer?

The Exeter provides several core protection products designed to support you and your family in the event of illness, injury, or death. Their policies are straightforward but flexible, and they’re particularly well-suited to individuals with unique health or employment circumstances.

Income Protection

Income protection is The Exeter’s standout product. It replaces part of your income if you’re unable to work due to illness or injury. You can tailor it to your budget and needs by adjusting:

  • Your deferred period (how long before payouts begin)
  • The benefit amount (up to a percentage of your income)
  • The length of cover (short-term or full-term)

The Exeter is often more understanding of medical histories than some other insurers, making it a go-to for people who have previously struggled to get income protection due to health issues.

Life Insurance

The Exeter also offers term life insurance, which pays a lump sum if you pass away during the policy term. You can choose level cover to protect your family or decreasing cover to align with your mortgage balance.

While they may not offer as many extras as some larger brands, their focus is on simplicity, reliability, and getting the essentials right.

What Makes The Exeter Stand Out?

The Exeter is especially appealing if you have complex needs, work in a specialist role, or have a health condition that makes traditional insurance harder to access. Here’s what makes them unique:

  • Mutual Structure: As a member-owned provider, the focus is on customer benefits, not shareholder profits.
  • Flexible Income Protection: Customisable cover that suits freelancers, contractors, and the self-employed just as well as salaried employees.
  • Support for Pre-Existing Conditions: Underwriting tends to be more nuanced, offering options to individuals other insurers may turn away.
  • Broker-Only Provider: You can only access their policies through regulated advisers, ensuring you get professional guidance at every step.

If you’ve been declined income protection elsewhere or have specific needs around your employment or health, The Exeter is definitely worth a closer look.

Who Should Consider The Exeter?

The Exeter is well-suited to you if:

  • You’re self-employed, freelance or work in a niche profession
  • You’ve had trouble getting cover because of medical history
  • You’re looking for flexible, dependable income protection
  • You want life insurance without unnecessary extras
  • You value ongoing access to health and wellbeing tools

Of course, the best provider is the one that fits your life, not just one with good features. That’s where we come in to help you decide if they are the right insurer for you.

How Much Does It Cost?

Your premiums will vary depending on:

  • Age and health
  • Smoking status
  • Type and amount of cover
  • Deferred period for income protection
  • Policy term and optional extras

The Exeter is often competitively priced considering the flexibility and specialist underwriting it offers. But pricing can vary widely based on your individual circumstances.

At Kerr & Watson, we compare your options and show you how to balance affordability with the level of protection you need, so you’re not paying more than you should, and you’re not underinsured either.

Why Speak to Kerr & Watson?

At Kerr & Watson, we’re not here to sell you a policy, we’re here to guide you to the right one. We understand that your health, your job, and your financial commitments are personal. That’s why our advice is always tailored around you, not just what a provider offers.

When you work with us, you get:

  • One-to-one advice from experienced mortgage and protection specialists
  • Access to providers like The Exeter that only work with trusted brokers
  • Clear explanations in plain language
  • Support with applications, medical disclosures, and policy setup
  • Long-term care with reviews and guidance when things change

If The Exeter is a great fit for your situation, we’ll tell you, and if another insurer makes more sense, we’ll make a recommendation accordingly.

Conclusion

The Exeter may not be the most famous insurance brand, but its focus on flexibility, fairness, and customer wellbeing makes it a strong contender for life insurance and income protection. Especially if you have specific needs or work outside the typical employment path, The Exeter could offer cover that others can’t.

But like with any protection product, the value lies in how well it matches your life and your goals.

Contact Kerr & Watson today for honest, expert advice. We’ll help you decide whether The Exeter is right for you or guide you to another solution.

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Kerr & Watson | Address: Pembroke House, 8 St Christophers Pl, Farnborough GU14 0NH, UK | Phone: 01252 224620 | Email: info@kerrandwatson.co.uk | Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00–17:30

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