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Zurich is looking to launch a business protection tool and simplify certain protection forms as it admits advisers need more help to sell protection in current climate.

Gerry Warner, protection development manager for Zurich, said it was currently working on a tool, due to be launched at the end of October, focusing on business protection in response to demand following turbulence in the mainstream market.

He said: "More advisers are turning to business protection as they encounter problems with selling more mainstream products.

"With this in mind, we have a tool under development which is aimed to appeal to advisers who are new to the sector and are looking for that extra bit of support. We understand this is an under- developed sector and someone just starting out may feel a bit lost."

Mr Warner said it had received a positive response from the two IFAs who have, so far, piloted the tool, stating this was part of an ongoing process of rolling out various aids.

He said: "We have launched an IHT tool last year and a wrapper comparison. This is all part of a theme which we hope advisers will embrace."

Referring to sales process for certain protection plans, Mr Warner said Zurich was looking to simplify the application process as it could sometimes be quite arduous for intermediaries.

He said: "If a plan runs to the age of 55 then we will look to remove certain questions that we would pose to someone who wanted it to run to the age of 60. Questions on family history would be removed and we could produce something more tailored to that age group and, therefore, shorten the process for some applicants.

"We feel this will help brokers as forms can be off putting for some clients."

Talking specifically about mortgage brokers, Mr Warner claimed many did not like selling mortgage protection and Zurich would give special attention to this area when it came to making things easier.

He said: "We really want to ensure the take up improves in this sector particularly when you look at current events in the housing market. It really is so important that people are protected in case the worst happens to them.

"We will simplify forms and provide as much as support as possible in order to help advisers in their day-to-day business."