Unum: Group Income Protection & Employee Benefits with Health and Wellbeing Support

If you’re exploring your options for income protection or looking to support your employees through workplace benefits, Unum is a provider worth considering.

Known for their comprehensive group protection products and focus on employee wellbeing, Unum offers a wide range of cover options that go beyond the basics.

At Kerr & Watson, we’re here to help you with these choices and find the protection that best supports your financial goals, whether you’re safeguarding your own income or building a benefits package for your team.

Who Are Unum?

Unum is a leading provider of group risk protection in the UK, with a long history rooted in the United States dating back to the 19th century.

Over the years, they’ve focused on delivering tailored employee benefits that include income protection, life insurance, and critical illness cover, along with a variety of added-value services.

Their aim is to help employers support staff during challenging times, from long-term sickness to life-altering illnesses, while also offering tools to promote everyday health and wellbeing.

What Products Does Unum Offer?

Unum is best known for its business protection solutions. These are designed to be purchased by employers to protect their workforce. However, some policies can also benefit business owners and self-employed professionals.

1. Group Income Protection

This policy pays a monthly benefit to an employee who’s unable to work due to illness or injury. It’s typically paid after a chosen waiting period and can continue until the employee returns to work, retires, or reaches the maximum payment term.

Features include:

Cover for up to 80% of an employee’s salary
Multiple deferred period options (from 8 to 52 weeks)
Support for rehabilitation and return-to-work
Additional benefits such as pension contribution protection

You can choose long-term cover or limit the payment period to two, three, or five years depending on your budget and needs.

2. Group Life Insurance

Unum’s group life cover provides a tax-free lump sum to an employee’s family if they die while employed. This is a common workplace benefit and helps demonstrate that you value and care for your team.

Key features:

Cover based on a multiple of salary or fixed amount
Master trust options for tax efficiency
Support with setting up or using your own trust

There’s also an option to include partner or spouse cover, which can be added voluntarily alongside the main policy.

3. Group Critical Illness Cover

This pays out a lump sum if an employee is diagnosed with a serious illness like cancer, heart attack, or stroke. The payout can help them manage expenses during a difficult period and ease financial pressure.

4. Executive Income Protection

This is designed for directors and business owners. It provides cover tailored to higher earners and includes optional benefits like pension contribution protection and National Insurance liability cover. It can also include lump-sum payments for specific serious conditions.

This type of policy is often used in smaller companies to provide high-value, tax-efficient cover for key individuals.

Added Benefits: Help@hand and More

Unum offers a range of extra services with their policies, aimed at improving health and wellbeing for policyholders and employees.

These include:

24/7 virtual GP access
Mental health support and counselling
Physiotherapy and musculoskeletal advice
Nutrition and fitness guidance
Second medical opinions
Bereavement support
Cancer care navigation services

These services are available via their Help@hand app, making them easy to access from anywhere. For employers, this means added value that supports productivity, morale, and employee loyalty.

Is Unum Right for You?

Unum could be a suitable fit if:

You’re an employer who wants to offer meaningful benefits to your staff
You’re a business owner looking for executive income protection
You want access to wellbeing tools and rehabilitation support
You value a provider with strong claims experience and a holistic approach to protection

That said, it may not be the best choice if you’re simply looking for a low-cost, standalone life insurance policy for yourself. Unum’s strength lies in group risk and executive-level protection.

At Kerr & Watson, we’ll help you weigh up all your options including whether Unum is the right provider for your situation or if another insurer offers a better fit.

How Much Does It Cost?

Premiums vary based on:

Your age and health (or your employees’)
The level of cover selected
Deferred periods and payment lengths
Optional extras like pension or partner cover
Number of employees in a scheme (for group cover)

Unum’s group policies are often priced competitively and can qualify as allowable business expenses, making them tax-efficient for companies. Always take professional tax advice for assessing how you will be affected.

We can help you understand the pricing, the value for money, and structure cover that aligns with your budget and goals.

Why Work with Kerr & Watson?

Choosing protection isn’t just about picking a brand, it’s about making sure the cover works for your specific needs. That’s where Kerr & Watson comes in.

Whether you’re self-employed, running a business, or simply want to protect your income, we’re here to make the process smooth and stress-free.

Conclusion

Unum is a respected provider with a strong focus on workplace benefits and income protection. From flexible group policies to specialist executive plans, they offer cover that can support you, your family, or your employees through some of life’s biggest challenges.

Although they may well be the best insurer for you, you should always look at the whole market to make sure you are picking the most suitable company. This is where we come in.

Contact Kerr & Watson today for expert, independent advice on your protection needs.

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We will take the information gained on the call and carry out some research before sending you a bespoke recommendation.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Unum

▸ ▾ Is Unum good for group protection?

Unum can be a strong provider for employers looking at group protection and employee benefits. It may be considered for group income protection, group life cover and wider workplace wellbeing support.

▸ ▾ Can Kerr & Watson help me arrange Unum cover?

Yes, Kerr & Watson can help businesses compare Unum with other group protection providers and decide whether it is suitable for their employees.

▸ ▾ Does Unum offer group income protection?

Unum may offer group income protection, which can provide employees with a regular income if they are unable to work due to illness or injury, subject to policy terms.

▸ ▾ Does Unum offer group life insurance?

Unum may be suitable for group life insurance, often used by employers to provide death-in-service benefits for staff. This can help support employees’ families financially.

▸ ▾ Is Unum suitable for small businesses?

Unum may be suitable for some small businesses, depending on employee numbers, budget and benefit requirements. Kerr & Watson can help compare group schemes.

▸ ▾ Can Unum help with employee wellbeing?

Unum may include added-value services alongside group protection, depending on the policy. These can support wellbeing, absence management and employee support.

▸ ▾ How much does Unum group protection cost?

The cost depends on employee ages, salaries, occupations, cover level, scheme size and the type of benefits chosen. A tailored quote is usually required.

▸ ▾ Is Unum suitable for personal life insurance?

Unum is more commonly associated with employer group protection than personal individual life insurance. If you need personal cover, Kerr & Watson can compare alternative insurers.

▸ ▾ Should my business offer group income protection?

Group income protection can be valuable if you want to support employees financially during long-term illness or injury. It can also help with staff retention and wellbeing.

▸ ▾ Is Unum the best group protection provider for my business?

Unum may be suitable, but the best provider depends on your workforce, budget and benefit goals. Kerr & Watson can compare group protection options and recommend the right structure.

Common Insurance Provider Questions

▸ ▾ How do I know which insurance provider is right for me?

The right insurance provider will depend on the type of cover you need, your age, health, lifestyle, occupation, budget and the reason for taking out the policy. Some insurers may be stronger for life insurance, while others may be more suitable for income protection, critical illness cover, private medical insurance or business protection. An adviser can compare providers and help recommend cover that suits your circumstances.

▸ ▾ Do all insurance providers offer the same cover?

No. Insurance providers can offer different policy features, definitions, exclusions, underwriting rules, claims processes and optional extras. Two policies may look similar at first, but the quality of cover can vary significantly. This is why it is important to compare more than just the monthly premium.

▸ ▾ Is the cheapest insurance provider always the best option?

Not always. The cheapest policy may not provide the most suitable cover for your needs. It is important to consider what the policy covers, what it excludes, how claims are assessed, whether optional benefits are included and whether the provider’s underwriting is suitable for your circumstances.

▸ ▾ Why use an insurance adviser instead of applying directly?

An insurance adviser can help compare providers, explain the differences between policies and recommend cover based on your needs. This can be especially useful if you are protecting a mortgage, have a family, are self-employed, have pre-existing medical conditions, work in a higher-risk occupation or want to make sure the policy is set up correctly.

▸ ▾ Can an adviser compare multiple insurance providers?

Yes. An adviser can compare a range of insurance providers and policy types, helping you understand which options may be suitable. This can include life insurance, critical illness cover, income protection, private medical insurance and business protection, depending on your needs.

▸ ▾ Do insurance providers assess medical history differently?

Yes. Insurance providers can take different views on medical history, medication, BMI, smoking, family history and previous health conditions. One provider may offer standard terms, while another may increase the premium, exclude a condition or decline cover. Choosing the right provider can make a significant difference.

▸ ▾ Can I get insurance if I have a pre-existing medical condition?

You may still be able to get insurance if you have a pre-existing medical condition, but the terms will depend on the condition, severity, treatment, recovery, time since diagnosis and the type of cover required. Some insurers may be more flexible than others, so it is worth getting advice before applying.

▸ ▾ Do insurance providers check my medical records?

Some insurance applications can be accepted based on the information provided in the application, while others may require additional medical evidence. This could include a GP report, nurse screening, medical exam or further questions from the insurer. The level of underwriting depends on the provider, policy type, cover amount and your medical history.

▸ ▾ Will an insurance provider pay out if I make a claim?

A valid claim should be paid if it meets the policy terms and the information provided at application was accurate. Claims can be affected if the condition is not covered, an exclusion applies, premiums have not been maintained or important information was not disclosed when applying. This is why it is important to answer application questions carefully.

▸ ▾ Can I have more than one insurance policy?

Yes. Many people have more than one insurance policy, especially if each policy has a different purpose. For example, you may have life insurance to protect a mortgage, income protection to replace earnings if you cannot work, and critical illness cover to provide a lump sum following a serious illness. The right combination will depend on your needs and budget.

▸ ▾ Should I review my insurance if my circumstances change?

Yes. It is sensible to review your insurance after major life changes, such as buying a home, remortgaging, having children, changing jobs, becoming self-employed, increasing your borrowing or starting a business. Your existing cover may no longer match your needs, or there may be better-suited options available.

▸ ▾ Can Kerr & Watson help me choose between insurance providers?

Yes. Kerr & Watson can review your circumstances, compare suitable insurance providers and explain which options may be available. We can help with life insurance, critical illness cover, income protection, private medical insurance, business protection and cover for more complex circumstances.