Leah Puckett - Mortgage Advisor

09/09/2026

🚨 Terminal Illness Cover vs Critical Illness Cover

🤔 They sound similar… but they’re NOT the same!

One of the biggest misconceptions about personal protection is that terminal illness cover and critical illness cover are basically the same thing.

❌ MYTH: “If I have terminal illness cover, I don't need critical illness cover.”
👉 FACT: They protect you against very different situations.

❤️ TERMINAL ILLNESS COVER
Usually included as part of a life insurance policy.
It can allow your life insurance benefit to be paid early if you're diagnosed with a terminal illness that meets the policy definition, typically where you're expected to die within 12 months. Think of it as accessing your life cover early.

🩺 CRITICAL ILLNESS COVER
Can pay a lump sum if you're diagnosed with a specific critical illness covered by your policy, such as certain cancers, heart attacks or strokes. The important point? You don't necessarily need to be terminally ill. You could receive a critical illness pay out and go on to recover or live for many years.

💡 MYTH: “Cancer means I'll automatically receive a critical illness pay out.”
❌ Not necessarily.
Critical illness policies have specific definitions, and the type or severity of cancer covered can vary between insurers. Always check the policy wording.

💡 MYTH: “Terminal illness cover gives me extra money on top of my life insurance.”
❌ Usually not.
It is generally an early payment of the life insurance benefit, so once paid, the life cover normally ends.

🛡️ THE BOTTOM LINE

Terminal Illness Cover = Protection if you're diagnosed with a terminal condition.
Critical Illness Cover = Protection if you're diagnosed with a specified serious condition covered by the policy.

They can work alongside each other because they protect against different financial risks.

📞 Not sure what your current protection actually covers?
A protection review could help identify any gaps before you need to make a claim.

Definitions, conditions, exclusions and claim requirements vary between providers. Critical illness cover only pays where the policy definition is met. Always check the relevant policy terms and conditions.

07/09/2026

🎒 Back to School. Back to Protection.
September is a time for fresh starts, new routines and planning for the year ahead. 📚

But while you're budgeting for uniforms, clubs, childcare and everything else the new school year brings, have you thought about protecting the income that pays for it all?

❤️ Life Cover – Could your family afford the mortgage and maintain their lifestyle if you died?
🩺 Critical Illness Cover – Would you have a financial cushion if you were diagnosed with a covered serious illness?
💼 Income Protection – If illness or injury stopped you working, how would you keep paying the household bills?

Your income helps provide the home, opportunities and lifestyle your family enjoys.

Don't just plan for the year ahead, protect it. 🛡️

📞 Now is a great time to review your personal protection. Get in touch today to see whether your existing cover is still right for you and your family.

27/08/2026

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/92456094

3 bedroom terraced house for sale in Chelston Place, Off Malpas Road, Newport. NP20 5LX, NP20 for £195,000. Marketed by Davis and Sons, Newport

31/07/2026

🏗️ Protect your income – and your business

Being self-employed means you're in control of your business...
But it also means your business relies on you. 💼

If illness or injury stopped you from working, your income could reduce or stop altogether. But many of your fixed business costs would still need to be paid. 📋

These could include:
🚐 Van or vehicle lease payments
🏢 Rent for your business premises
🛠️ Equipment or machinery hire
🛡️ Business insurance
💡 Utility bills
💳 Loan or finance repayments
📞 Phone, broadband and other essential business expenses

These are known as fixed costs because they continue whether you're working or not.

✅ Income Protection can provide a regular monthly income if you're unable to work due to illness or injury. Even better, if you're self-employed, eligible fixed business costs may also be taken into account when calculating how much cover you can have, helping you protect more than just your income.

That means you could have greater financial support to help keep both your household and your business running while you focus on your recovery. ❤️‍🩹

📞 If you're self-employed and would like to find out how Income Protection could help protect both you and your fixed costs, get in touch today.

22/07/2026

🌟 Celebrating Independent Retailer Month 🌟

Independent retailers are the heart of our communities.

They open early, close late, build relationships with their customers and keep our high streets thriving. Behind every small business is someone who has worked hard to turn a dream into a livelihood.

But here's a question that's worth asking...

If illness or injury meant you couldn't work for several months, what would happen to your income?

Unlike many employees, business owners and the self-employed often don't have the safety net of employer sick pay. That can make an unexpected illness just as challenging financially as it is personally.

That's where personal protection can make a real difference.

❤️ Life Cover can help protect your loved ones if the unexpected happens.
🩺 Critical Illness Cover can provide a lump sum following the diagnosis of a covered serious illness.
💼 Income Protection can provide a regular income if you're unable to work due to illness or injury, helping you focus on recovery rather than worrying about the bills.

This Independent Retailer Month, let's celebrate the people who keep our local communities going, and remember that looking after yourself is one of the most important investments you can make in your business.

Not sure which protection is right for you? Let's have a chat.

Contact me on 07916211691 to arrange your review.

21/07/2026

🏡 Did you know you may be able to buy your first home with a deposit of as little as £5,000?

Many first-time buyers assume they need a huge deposit before they can even think about getting on the property ladder, but there are mortgage options available that may require much less than you think.

If you were able to save just £13.69 a day, you could build up a £5,000 deposit in a year.
Everyone's circumstances are different, and it's worth exploring what options may be available to you sooner rather than later.

📞 If you're thinking about buying your first home and would like to discuss your options, get in touch and I'd be happy to arrange a chat. No pressure, just friendly advice to help you understand what's possible. 😊

Your Home (or property) may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage or any other debts secured on it. There may be a fee for mortgage advice, the exact amount will be based on your circumstances.

21/07/2026

⚠️ Parents of 16-year-olds:

Have you told HMRC that your child is staying in full-time education?

If your child has turned 16 and is continuing in full-time education, it's important to let HMRC know.

If you don't confirm their education status, your Child Benefit payments could stop from 31st August.

Please share this post with family and friends who may need the reminder.

11/06/2026

AI Can’t Fight Your Corner. I Can.

AI is changing the mortgage industry.

It can compare rates, it can search criteria, it can answer basic mortgage questions in seconds. And that's great.

📞But when a lender has concerns about your application, AI isn't picking up the phone to speak to an underwriter.

🗣️AI isn't explaining why a missed payment from three years ago doesn't reflect your situation today.

📂AI isn't discussing complex income, self-employment accounts, maternity leave, gifted deposits, or unusual circumstances that don't fit neatly into a box.

🤝AI can't build relationships, use experience, judgement and advocate for you when a lender needs reassurance before making a decision.

Getting a mortgage isn't just about finding a rate, it's about presenting your case properly, navigating obstacles, and finding solutions when things get complicated.

Technology helps me work faster, but it isn’t the mortgage broker.



Your Home (or property) may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage or any other debts secured on it. There may be a fee for mortgage advice, the exact amount will be based on your circumstances.

08/06/2026

Lovely review sent in this morning from a wonderful client that doesn’t have Facebook.

“If you are looking for a mortgage advisor who truly cares, look no further than Leah. She completely transformed what could have been a highly stressful experience into a seamless one. As an anxious client, her reassurance, expertise, and willingness to go above and beyond meant the world to me. Thank you, Leah, for your amazing service!”

If you would like to chat about your options feel free to call me on 07916211691 or email [email protected]

26/05/2026

💡 Had an interest-only mortgage for years and now the end date is creeping up? Feeling unsure about what happens next?

You’re not alone. Many homeowners are finding themselves in a position where their current lender won’t extend the term, or they’re worried about how the balance will be repaid. 🏡

The good news is there may still be options available. We have lenders on panel that can accept a wide range of repayment strategies, such as savings or pensions, and in some cases don’t require as high a level of equity in the property as lenders once used to.

If your interest-only mortgage is coming to an end and you’re starting to panic, don’t sit with the stress alone, speak to us and let’s look at your options together.



Subject to full mortgage application and product range.

Your Home (or property) may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage or any other debts secured on it. There may be a fee for mortgage advice, the exact amount will be based on your circumstances.