Bristol-based specialist insurer National Friendly is in the running for a prestigious financial services industry award for the first time.
The firm has been shortlisted for the 2021 Protection Review’s Best New Product/Enhancement award following the launch of its innovative and easily accessible accident-only income protection policy. 
The cover includes a link to revolutionary digital health platform HealthHero’s digital GP services, giving policyholders unlimited free phone or video access to HealthHero’s panel of private GPs.
The Protection Review Awards were established to recognise excellence in protection and give impartial reviews on the latest products and how they can impact consumers.
National Friendly triumphed in the awards’ Doing it Better category last time they were held for its sponsorship of events at Bristol’s iconic Hippodrome theatre along with a fundraising partnership with the Southmead Hospital Charity, the official charity of North Bristol Trust (NBT).
This time, with the awards returning as an in-person event rather than being staged virtually, National Friendly is making its debut in the Best New Product/Enhancement category.
Potential winners need to demonstrate a genuinely innovative and fresh new approach to business to the judges across a range of criteria. 
The category is one of 16 that will competed for at the awards ceremony in London on December 8.
National Friendly is shortlisted against life insurers DeadHappy, MetLife and AIG Life for the award.
National Friendly CEO Graham Singleton, pictured, said the shortlisting was a tribute to its team “especially alongside such esteemed competition”. 
“National Friendly is one of the newest and smallest players in the shortlisted group category and I think this underlines our expertise, skill and commitment to providing excellent service for our clients and their advisors,” he added.
Established in 1868, National Friendly specialises in private medical insurance, guaranteed life assurance, assisted living insurance, savings and investments.
As a mutual society it has no shareholders and exists to serve the best interests of its 33,400 members. Its head office is on Bristol’s Queen Square.
The Protection Review is the definitive overview of the UK’s multi-billion pound health and protection insurance sector and its annual conference and awards presentation are regarded as the ‘go-to’ event for the industry.
