The Value of Advice

A pivotal study found that investors who use advisors are better off over time (value-of-advice study, 2016). According to the study, households that had chosen and retained a financial advisor accumulated:
Short Term: 69% more in assets, on average, over four years, than non-advice households.
Long Term290% more in assets, on average, over 15 years, than those households without an advisor.

Montmarquette, Claude and Viennot-Briot, Nathalie. Centre for Interuniversity Research and Analysis of Organizations (CIRANO). “The Gamma Factor and the Value of Financial Advice”. 2016. )

Business Owners

For business owners, making sure your business is financially protected can be overwhelming. Business owners face a unique set of challenges when it comes to managing risk. Insurance can play an important role when it comes to reducing the financial impact on your business in the case of uncontrollable events such as disability, critical illness or loss of a key shareholder or employee.

This infographic addresses the importance of corporate insurance.

The 4 areas of insurance a business owner should take care of are:

  • Health

  • Disability

  • Critical Illness

  • Life

Talk to us about helping making sure you and your business are protected.

1. Health Insurance

 We are fortunate in Canada, where the healthcare system pays for basic healthcare services for Canadian citizens and permanent residents. However, not everything healthcare related is covered, in reality, 30% of our health costs* are paid for out of pocket or through private insurance such as prescription medication, dental, prescription glasses, physiotherapy, etc.

For business owners, offering employee health benefits make smart business sense because health benefits can form part of a compensation package and can help retain key employees and attract new talent.

For business owners that are looking to provide alternative health plans in a cost effective manner, you may want to consider a health spending account.

2. Disability Insurance

 Most people spend money on protecting their home and car, but many overlook protecting their greatest asset: their ability to earn income. Unfortunately one in three people on average will be disabled for 90 days or more at least once before the age of 65.

Consider the financial impact this would have on your business if you, a key employee or shareholder were to suffer from an injury or illness. Disability insurance can provide a monthly income to help keep your business running.

Business overhead expense insurance can provide monthly reimbursement of expenses during total disability such as rent for commercial space, utilities, employee salaries and benefits, equipment leasing costs, accounting fees, insurance premiums for property and liability, etc.

Key person disability insurance can be used to provide monthly funds for the key employee while they’re disabled and protect the business from lost revenue while your business finds and trains an appropriate replacement.

Buy sell disability insurance can provide you with a lump sum payment if your business partner were to become totally disabled. These funds can be used to purchase the shares of the disabled partner, fund a buy sell agreement and reassure creditors and suppliers.

3. Critical Illness

For a lot of us, the idea of experiencing a critical illness such as a heart attack, stroke or cancer can seem unlikely, but 73% of working Canadians know someone who has experienced an illness. Sadly, this can have serious consequences on you, your family and business, with Critical Illness insurance, it provides a lump sum payment so you can focus on your recovery.

Key person critical illness insurance can be used to provide funds to the company so it can supplement income during time away, cover debt repayment, salary for key employees or fixed overhead expenses.

Buy sell critical illness insurance can provide you with a lump sum payment if your business partner or shareholder were to suffer from a critical illness. These funds can be used to purchase the shares of the partner, fund a buy sell agreement and reassure creditors and suppliers.

4. Life Insurance

For a business owner, not only do your employees depend on you for financial support but your loved ones do too. Life insurance is important because it can protect your business and also be another form of investment for excess company funds.

Key person life insurance can be used to provide a lump sum payment to the company on death of the insured so it can keep the business going until an appropriate replacement is found. It can also be used to retain loyal employees by supplying a retirement fund inside the insurance policy.

Buy sell life insurance can provide you with a lump sum payment if your business partner or shareholder were to pass away. These funds can be used to purchase the shares of the deceased partner, fund a buy sell agreement and reassure creditors and suppliers.

Loan coverage life insurance can help cover off any outstanding business loans and debts.

Reduce taxes & diversify your portfolio, often life insurance is viewed only as protection, however with permanent life insurance, there is an option to deposit excess company funds not needed for operations to provide for tax-free growth (within government limits)  to diversify your portfolio and reduce taxes on passive investments.

GET A QUOTE

Ken Steele

With over 25 years of experience, my unique ability is allowing my clients to feel comfortable engaging in meaningful dialogue around their plans and goals for the future.

Throughout my career I have worked at giving my clients peace of mind that their needs were addressed and goals defined. I can help answer questions such as: What if I became disabled or critically ill? What if I live to age 98? How will my changing needs be met?”

I promise to listen, question and then build a financial plan that meets your expectations.

My community activities keep me actively involved with Toastmasters and my spare time is spent enjoying golf, music and spending quality time with my family.

I am an active member of ADVOICS (Financial Advisors Association of Canada). This industry is never static and I am continually learning to best serve my clients.

Families

We provide strategies to help families to accumulate and protect your wealth.

Business Owners

Strategies to help increase your personal cash flow, keep key employees and protect your business.

Retirees

What’s your retirement number?

UK Pensions

UK Pensions can now again be transferred to Canada through the QROPS program.

LATEST NEWS


What Clients Are Saying

Thank you Ken, for nearly two decades of your professional expertise and dedicated Financial and Investment Consultation. Your business principles and personal values of honesty, integrity and dedication are exemplified in all aspects of your client services. Your ethics and principles inspire trust and confidence in your judgement and sound advice. We are extremely grateful for many years of your expert direction, availability and support along the way. We strongly recommend your fine services to others.

– A. Stanton and Family

What Clients Are Saying

Ken is that rare type of financial advisor who spends the time to understand the complete picture of one’s family financial goals. In doing so, he sees the full picture and through his experience and knowledge of financial markets, insurance companies and numerous financial vehicles provides well thought options with no pressure to adopt any recommendation. His professional expertise on estate planning has helped us transition through the various stages of our lives.

– G. Paffrath

What Clients Are Saying

I worked with Ken Steele for several years in the 70’s and ‘80’s in the oil & gas industry. He moved on to become a financial consultant while I hung around for the big layoffs in the 90’s. My husband and I were so grateful to have someone we knew and trusted to help us take care of our money and create the retirement fund that gives us security today. We wouldn’t be where we are without him. Thanks for all the good advice Ken.

– Michele & Ron Gruhlke

What Clients Are Saying

Ken Steele was recommended to us by a family member who knew him personally and spoke highly of his work ethic and family values. He became our financial advisor over 10 years ago. Our relationship with Ken has been that of trust and respect. He is eager to share information with us and will take the time to explain our investments and also, reviews our investments with us as needed. He has given us peace of mind when it comes to our financial future as well as our young children. We highly recommend Ken Steele and his supporting team.

– T.B.G.

What Clients Are Saying

If all Financial Advisors consistently provided the sound advice that Ken Steele has provided for me over nearly 30 years, they to would have satisfied clients and Ken would not stand out. He keeps abreast of the financial markets, makes time for and listens to his clients, and is always extremely personable and approachable. He has never tried to push me into making an investment decision with which I was uncomfortable or have since regretted. Over the years he has helped me make a very healthy return on my investments and if integrity defines a man or woman, then it certainly defines Ken Steele.

– Brian Dodds