The internet drives the pace of change in the income protection market, as well as the retail distribution review (RDR), according to Alun Beynon, head of sales and distribution for protection for Aegon .
Addressing advisers at Aegon's Preparation Meets Opportunity conference at the Royal College of Physicians recently, Mr Beynon said IFAs have to use the RDR as an opportunity to review their business model and think about the threat online comparison websites pose.
He commented: "The pace of change in the protection market is such that the RDR is almost incidental because the change will continue apace. The RDR is providing IFA distribution firms in particular with an opportunity to review exactly how they manage their protection business. The RDR could impact the market positively if you take the view that having indemnity commission as an option is good. However, you need to think about your business model and the threat of the internet and how you differentiate your service."




