Insurance & Protection Advice in Kent
Independent, whole-of-market advice on life insurance, critical illness cover, income protection and family protection — from a Chartered Financial Planner. We help you understand exactly what you need, what you do not, and how to protect the people and lifestyle that matter most.
What is protection planning and why does it matter?
Protection planning is the process of ensuring your family, your home and your income are financially secure if something goes wrong — whether that is serious illness, injury, redundancy or death. Most people insure their car and their home contents without a second thought, yet leave their income or their family’s financial future unprotected.
The right protection is not about buying every policy available — it is about understanding your specific risks and putting targeted cover in place at a cost that fits your budget. As independent advisers, we search the whole market to find policies that genuinely suit your circumstances, rather than recommending the most convenient or most profitable option.
Based in Hartley, Kent, we advise clients across Gravesend, Dartford, Sevenoaks, Maidstone, Tonbridge and the wider South East. Meetings can be held in person or by video call.
Protection cover we can advise on
There is no single policy that covers every risk. The right combination depends on your income, family situation, mortgage, savings and how long you could manage financially if your income stopped.
Life insurance
Pays a lump sum to your dependants if you die during the policy term. Can be arranged on a level, decreasing or increasing basis. Often used to repay a mortgage or provide a financial safety net for a surviving partner or children. Both term assurance and whole-of-life options are available.
Critical illness cover
Pays a tax-free lump sum if you are diagnosed with a specified serious illness — typically including cancer, heart attack, stroke and many others depending on the policy. The payout can be used to cover treatment costs, adapt your home, repay debts or simply give you financial breathing space during recovery.
Income protection
Pays a regular monthly income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury. Unlike critical illness, income protection covers a much wider range of conditions and can pay out for as long as you are unable to work — right up to retirement if necessary. Particularly important for the self-employed.
Family income benefit
An often-overlooked alternative to standard life insurance. Instead of a lump sum, family income benefit pays a regular monthly income to your family for the remainder of the policy term if you die. This can be easier for a surviving partner to manage and is often more cost-effective than level term assurance.
Mortgage protection
Decreasing term assurance designed specifically to repay an outstanding mortgage balance if you die. The sum assured reduces broadly in line with a repayment mortgage, making it a cost-effective way to ensure your home is paid off and your family is not left with the debt.
Relevant life cover
A tax-efficient life insurance policy for business owners and directors. Premiums are paid by the company, are typically allowable as a business expense and do not count towards pension annual allowance. An effective way to provide life cover outside of a group scheme for key individuals in smaller businesses.
How we approach protection advice
As a Chartered Independent Financial Adviser, Kris Dabner provides protection advice that starts with your circumstances, not a product. We take the time to understand your risks before making any recommendation, and we always explain the difference between what is essential and what is optional.
- Assess your financial risks
We review your income, mortgage, savings, existing cover and dependants to establish where your financial vulnerabilities lie and what level of protection would address them.
- Search the whole market
We compare policies, premiums, definitions and exclusions across major UK insurers to identify the most suitable options for your circumstances — not just those that are easiest to arrange.
- Provide a clear written recommendation
We explain what we recommend and why in plain English, including the cover amount, term, premium and any important exclusions or conditions you should be aware of.
- Handle the application process
We manage the application from start to finish, including any medical underwriting questions, and keep you informed until the policy is confirmed on risk.
- Review cover as your life changes
Protection needs change over time — when you move home, have children, change jobs or pay down your mortgage. We offer ongoing reviews to ensure your cover remains appropriate as your circumstances evolve.
Why work with KMD Financial Planning for protection?
Whole-of-market access
We are not tied to any insurer or panel. We compare policies across the full market to find cover that genuinely fits your needs and budget, including providers not available direct to consumers.
Highest professional standard
Chartered Financial Planner status reflects the highest level of professional accreditation in UK financial planning — rigorous technical knowledge and a commitment to acting in your best interests.
Protection within your wider plan
Protection does not exist in isolation. We consider how it fits with your mortgage, pension, savings and investments to ensure your overall financial position is secure at every stage of life.
What working together looks like
Protection advice should be straightforward. We follow a clear process so you know what to expect at every stage, with no pressure and no obligation until you are ready to proceed.
- Free initial conversation
A no-obligation call to understand your situation, existing cover and concerns. We confirm whether and how we can help before any work begins.
- Needs assessment
We gather details of your income, mortgage, dependants, savings and existing policies to establish what level and type of cover is appropriate.
- Market research and recommendation
We search the market and present a clear written recommendation explaining what we advise, why, and the premium and cover details involved.
- Application and underwriting
We complete and submit the application, guide you through any medical questions and liaise with the insurer through underwriting to policy issue.
- Ongoing review
We offer periodic reviews to ensure your cover remains suitable as your mortgage balance, income, family size or employment situation changes.
Frequently asked questions about protection advice
Do I really need life insurance if I have savings?
Savings can provide a short-term buffer, but for most families they are not sufficient to replace an income over the long term or repay a mortgage in full. Life insurance provides a guaranteed payout regardless of investment performance or how long you have been saving. It is also substantially cheaper than most people expect, particularly if arranged at a younger age when health is good.
What is the difference between critical illness cover and income protection?
Critical illness pays a one-off tax-free lump sum if you are diagnosed with a specified serious condition such as cancer, heart attack or stroke. Income protection pays a regular monthly income if you cannot work due to illness or injury — covering a much wider range of conditions and paying out for as long as you remain unable to work, potentially to retirement age. The two products serve different purposes and many people benefit from having both.
I am self-employed — what protection do I need?
Self-employed individuals have no employer sick pay, no group life cover and no death-in-service benefit. If you cannot work, your income stops immediately. Income protection is therefore particularly important for the self-employed, providing a monthly income after a chosen deferred period — typically one, three or six months. Life insurance and critical illness cover may also be relevant depending on your mortgage and family situation.
Can I get cover if I have a pre-existing medical condition?
Yes, in most cases. Different insurers take different views on pre-existing conditions — some will exclude the condition, some will charge a higher premium, and some will offer standard terms depending on the nature and history of the condition. As independent advisers we know which insurers are more accommodating for specific conditions. We always recommend applying through an adviser rather than direct, as declined applications can affect future applications.
Is there a fee for protection advice?
No. We do not charge an upfront fee for protection advice. We receive commission from the insurer when your policy is placed on risk. This is always disclosed to you in writing before you proceed. Our recommendation is always based on suitability — never on which policy pays the highest commission.
What does writing a policy in trust mean and should I do it?
Writing a life insurance policy in trust means the payout goes directly to your chosen beneficiaries without forming part of your estate. This avoids inheritance tax on the proceeds and means the money reaches your family much faster, without waiting for probate to be granted. In most cases we recommend writing life policies in trust — it is straightforward, costs nothing and can make a significant difference to how quickly and tax-efficiently your family receives the money.
How much life insurance do I need?
A useful starting point is to consider your outstanding mortgage balance, the number of years until your youngest dependant is financially independent, and how much income your family would need to maintain their lifestyle without your earnings. We assess your full financial position — including existing cover through work, savings and your partner’s income — and recommend a sum assured that is appropriate rather than excessive.
Do you advise clients outside Hartley and Longfield?
Yes. Whilst based in Hartley, Kent, we advise clients across Gravesend, Dartford, Sevenoaks, Maidstone, Tonbridge and the wider South East. Meetings can be held in person or by video call, whichever you prefer.
Talk to us about protection
Whether you are arranging protection for the first time, reviewing existing cover or planning alongside a mortgage, we can help you understand your options and put the right cover in place.
Book a free initial callImportant Information
The information on this page is for information purposes only and does not constitute individual financial advice. Please seek regulated financial advice tailored to your personal circumstances before making any decisions about protection products.
The value of protection policies and the premiums payable may vary. Policies may include exclusions, limitations and conditions that affect the level of cover provided. You should read all policy documentation carefully before proceeding.
As a mortgage is secured against your home, it could be repossessed if you do not keep up the mortgage repayments. If you arrange mortgage protection alongside a mortgage, this warning applies.