How Good Is Your Disaster Recovery Plan And How Can Financial Planning Help?
Sunday, October 24th, 2010Charles de Lastic, Managing Director of Bluebond Financial Planning, explains how good financial planning can help business recovery.
Most people understand the need for backup up their computers on a daily basis and even making sure another copy is kept off site to make sure data is kept safe in the event of computer breakdown, flood or fire. Most sensible business owners have contingency plans in place to cover many eventualities with regard to running their business properly. Nearly everyone has home and contents insurance.
So why do people pay such little attention to the potentially biggest disasters – the death, disability or serious illness of the main breadwinners? Good financial planning is generally what’s missing. With it, these eventualities should be covered, or at least the consequences be discussed between partners, spouses and/or children
What are the main things that should be considered?
Like all good disaster recovery plans, you should look at all the possibilities and the potential implications on your family or business.
Ask questions, both personally (both spouses) and with regards to your business (all key people), if you are a business owner:
- What are the financial implications of the death of this person?
- What are the financial implications of the disability of this person?
- What are the financial implications of the long-term serious illness of this person?
What should a good disaster recovery plan include?
Working on their own, without independent financial advice, many people wrongly cover different people for the same level of insurance when the implications of the above scenarios are rarely the same.
Financial planning with an experienced financial planner should mean that you avoid the pitfalls of ‘going it alone’. For example, joint plans are generally bad advice (except for inheritance tax planning purposes). Even covering your outstanding mortgage is unlikely to be correct as the financial implications are much wider and so the solution is more complex.
A mixture of term insurance (life and critical illness), whole of life assurance, income protection plans, accident, sickness or unemployment plans and private medical insurance together with the correct types of trusts will usually supply the most suitable solution.
How do I arrange some help with my financial planning?
Good levels of insurance are the foundation of a solid financial plan which should be regularly reviewed by an experienced financial planner. The premiums are unlikely to cause you serious hardship but a lack of suitable cover will almost certainly do so. Don’t let a disaster overtake you – plan for it today. You can find a financial planner via the Financial Services Authority.
Further questions on financial planning?
If you have any questions, or would like some help from us, you can visit the Bluebond Financial Planning website to contact us. We’d be happy to help you create a financial plan that includes disaster recovery options tailored just for you.