Beagle Street, part of the OneFamily Group, has announced its launch into the intermediary market.
The proposition brings together decades of protection experience with the heritage and mutual values of OneFamily, which has supported customers across the UK for more than 50 years.
Designed with advisers in mind, the proposition has been built to be straightforward to understand, explain and adapt as clients’ needs change. It is supported by technology and processes intended to help intermediaries place protection business more efficiently and with greater confidence.
The launch follows a pilot with a select group of intermediaries, whose feedback helped shape and refine the proposition and adviser journey ahead of full market entry.
This collaborative approach sits at the heart of Beagle Street’s distribution strategy, with the business focused on working in partnership with advisers, networks and service providers to deliver simplicity, flexibility and value.
Early backing from leading networks and service providers, including Omni Protect and St. James’s Place, reflects strong market confidence in Beagle Street’s proposition as it opens to new firms across the intermediary market.
The launch is the first step in a broader multi-year roadmap, with further developments planned to expand the proposition and support advisers in reaching more customers.
Beagle Street’s intermediary proposition includes life insurance and critical illness cover. Its first critical illness launch is an entry-level product covering 23 conditions, designed to offer advisers and customers an accessible starting point. It is the first critical illness product in a multi-product range.
All products are supported by a range of added-value services, including Reframe Cancer, Square Health for 24/7 Virtual GP access, and RedArc support, alongside will writing and legal services. Beagle Street is the first individual protection provider in the market to offer customers access to Reframe Cancer as an added-value service.
The proposition is supported by adviser-focused underwriting, with continued investment in automation and technology to improve speed and outcomes.
Pricing is designed to reflect individual risk more precisely, supporting fairer outcomes for customers while giving advisers access to competitive terms across a broad range of cases.
Customers also benefit from a dedicated claims service, with Samaritans-trained handlers and payment of valid claims within three working days of receiving the required evidence. Beagle Street also holds PDG Claims Charter status and offers a Funeral Payment Pledge.
Holly Ewing, Distribution Director at OneFamily, said: “Today marks an important milestone for Beagle Street as we enter the intermediary market with a strong initial proposition and a clear ambition to build from here. Our distribution strategy is rooted in partnership, working closely with advisers, networks and service providers to create a proposition that is simple, flexible and aligned to the needs of the market.
We want to make it easier for advisers to put accessible protection in place for the people who need it most. Backed by agile technology, transparent pricing and a strong mix of added-value services, this proposition gives advisers another credible option and supports growth across the intermediary market.”
Ryan Griffin, Protection Director at OneFamily, said: “Following a successful pilot, we are pleased to launch into the intermediary market with both life insurance and critical illness products. Our proposition has been designed to provide faster, fairer outcomes for customers from an underwriting and pricing perspective and an intuitive and straightforward experience for advisers.
“Our unique support services, such as Reframe Cancer, reflect the growing need for practical support alongside financial protection. With further launches planned over the next 12 months, we are excited to continue building our proposition and supporting more customers with products suited to their needs.”
Jim Islam, CEO of OneFamily, said: “As a mutual, our members are at the heart of everything we do and we understand the financial pressures facing households across the UK. Helping people build a financial safety net for their families is more important than ever, and this launch allows us to reach more people with protection that is right for them.
With more than 50 years of heritage, we have already helped more than two million customers work towards their financial goals. This launch gives us the opportunity to go further by offering vital protection to more people and marks the start of a new chapter for the business.”
Rob White at Essential Insurance said: “At a time when the protection market has seen several providers step away, it’s refreshing to see a new entrant arrive with real intent. Having worked closely with Beagle Street during development, we saw firsthand their willingness to listen and act on adviser feedback. The result is a compelling proposition and an adviser journey that stands out for its simplicity and ease of use.”
Russell Young, Commercial Director at Reframe Cancer, commented:
“Beagle Street are the first individual protection provider in the UK to offer Reframe’s CQC registered cancer support services, placing customers at the centre of their proposition and reinforcing their commitment to expert, clinically led cancer support.
Through the partnership, customers will gain access to personalised cancer guidance, specialist screening, support from Reframe’s Cancer Support Managers and Cancer Nurse Specialists, and our Carer service, providing high-quality support from early detection through to treatment and recovery.
With cancer incidence continuing to rise across the UK, and more than 1.15 million working-age adults projected to be living with cancer by 2030, the need for accessible, high quality cancer support has never been greater. Beagle Street recognises that financial protection alone is no longer enough. People also need expert guidance and support when cancer becomes part of their lives.
We’re proud to support Beagle Street’s entry into the intermediary market, helping more policyholders and their families access specialist cancer support and better outcomes throughout the cancer journey.”
