When did someone last check your family would be OK?
If something happened to you tomorrow — an illness, an accident, the worst — would your family be able to keep the house? Keep paying the bills? Most people don't know the answer. That's what a financial risk review is for.
This isn't a sales page. It's a question.
I'm a mortgage broker, not an insurance salesman. But part of my job — the part I take most seriously — is making sure the people I help aren't just getting a great mortgage deal. They're also not leaving their family exposed if something goes wrong.
Most people don't think about this stuff until it's too late. And I get it — when you're buying a house or sorting a remortgage, the last thing you want is someone trying to sell you more things. That's not what this is.
A financial risk review is a straightforward conversation. I look at your situation — your income, your outgoings, what your employer provides, what cover you already have — and I tell you honestly where the gaps are. Then you decide what, if anything, you want to do about it.
No pressure. No hard sell. Just the information you need to make a good decision.
Four things that could derail your finances
These aren't scare tactics. They're the four scenarios I walk through with every client, because they're the ones that catch people out.
"What if I die?"
Nobody wants to think about it. But if you have a mortgage, a partner, or children, this is the most important question to answer. Could your family keep the house?
"What if I get seriously ill?"
Cancer. Heart attack. Stroke. These aren't rare — they happen to people our age. If you were diagnosed tomorrow, could you focus on getting better without worrying about money?
"What if I can't work?"
A back injury. Long-term illness. Mental health. Your employer's sick pay probably runs out sooner than you think. What happens to your mortgage payments then?
"Would my family have enough to live on?"
A lump sum is one thing. But could your family actually manage it? Family income benefit pays a regular monthly income instead — often more practical and more affordable.
How a financial risk review works
We look at your situation
Your income, your partner's income, your outgoings, your mortgage. What your employer provides in terms of sick pay and death in service. What cover you already have — if any.
I explain the gaps
In plain English, not jargon. What would actually happen if you couldn't work for six months? What if the worst happened? I show you the numbers so you can see for yourself.
You decide your priorities
Not everyone can cover everything. That's fine. I help you work out which risks matter most to you and what fits your budget. You set the priorities, not me.
I research your options
I search the whole market and put together options that match what you've told me. I send you a video walking through each option so you can review it in your own time — no pressure to decide on the spot.
You decide
Some people take everything. Some take the basics. Some decide it's not for them right now. All of those are fine. My job is to make sure you've made an informed choice — not to push you into anything.
Things I hear all the time
"My employer gives me death in service — I'm covered."
Maybe. But death in service is tied to your job. Change employer, get made redundant, go part-time — it disappears. And it usually only covers death, not illness. It's worth knowing exactly what you have and what the gaps are.
"I can't afford it on top of the mortgage."
I understand that. But basic life cover for a couple in their 30s often costs less than a takeaway — maybe £15-25 a month. And the question isn't really whether you can afford the cover. It's whether your family can afford to be without it.
"I'll sort it later."
The thing about cover is that it's cheapest and easiest to get when you're young and healthy. Every year you wait, it costs more. And if your health changes in the meantime, you might not be able to get it at all — or it could be significantly more expensive.
"The mortgage lender said I need it."
Actually, no lender in the UK requires you to have life cover. They might recommend it, but it's not a condition of the mortgage. That said, just because it's not required doesn't mean it's not important. It's one of the smartest things you can do when you take on a big financial commitment.
Common questions about financial risk reviews
Types of cover at a glance
| Type | What it does | When it pays |
|---|---|---|
| Life Cover | Pays off your mortgage or provides a lump sum | If you die during the policy term |
| Critical Illness | Tax-free lump sum for serious diagnoses | If diagnosed with a specified condition |
| Income Protection | Replaces a portion of your monthly income | If you can't work due to illness or injury |
| Family Income Benefit | Regular monthly income for your family | If you die during the policy term |
It takes 20 minutes. It could change everything.
A financial risk review is a straightforward conversation — no jargon, no pressure. Whether you're buying your first home, remortgaging, or just want to check your existing cover is still right, I'm happy to help. I work with clients across Alsager, Sandbach, Crewe, Congleton, and South Cheshire.
Explore each type of cover
Life Cover
Do I need life cover with a mortgage? What does it cost?
Critical Illness Cover
What happens financially if I get cancer or have a heart attack?
Income Protection
What if I can't work for months? How do I keep paying the mortgage?
Family Income Benefit
A regular income for your family instead of a lump sum — often more affordable.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
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