If a shareholder in your private limited company, member of your Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) or partner in your partnership were to die, could you afford to purchase their share of the business?

If not, there could be significant implications for the future of your business. Shareholder protection can help you protect the ownership of your business in this situation.

What is share protection?

A share protection arrangement enables the surviving owners to purchase the deceased owner's share of the business from the deceased owner's estate and ensures that the deceased owner's dependants have a willing buyer and cash instead of a share of the business.

How does share protection work?

In the event of a business owner dying or being diagnosed with a terminal illness (life expectancy less than 12 months) or a specified critical illness*, share protection can provide a lump sum to the remaining business owners.

This means that if a valid claim is made during the length of the policy, the lump sum could be used to help purchase the deceased partner, shareholding director, or member’s interest in the business.

*If Critical Illness Cover is chosen at outset for an extra cost.