Added value benefit · Royal London
Royal London Helping Hand explained
Helping Hand is a set of health and support services that comes with Royal London protection plans arranged through an adviser. It costs nothing extra, and you can use it without making a claim.
In short
Helping Hand gives you a 24/7 virtual GP, a mental health app and a physio app. If you, your partner or your children face serious illness, injury or bereavement, a RedArc nurse supports you for as long as you need. None of it changes your premium.
What Helping Hand is
Most protection policies only help when you claim. Helping Hand works differently. It gives you health support while the plan is running, whether you claim or not.
It suits the moments a lump sum cannot fix. A GP appointment you cannot get, stress that keeps you awake, or a family trying to cope after a diagnosis.
It is included with every Royal London protection plan bought through an adviser, at no extra cost.
What you get
Helping Hand has two parts. Everyday wellbeing apps you can use from the day your plan starts, and a nurse for the times life gets hard.
24/7 virtual GP
HealthHero doctors by phone or video, day or night. You can choose a male or female doctor. Useful when your own GP has no appointments.
Mental health app
Thrive is an NHS-approved app. It gives personalised tools to spot and manage stress and anxiety before they build.
Physio app
TrackActiveMe was built by physiotherapists. You can self-refer for joint or muscle pain and get a personal exercise plan.
A dedicated nurse
RedArc assigns a nurse for serious illness, injury or bereavement. They give practical and emotional support for as long as it is needed.
Legal and career help
Legal advice on a range of issues, and career support from FPSG covering redundancy, CVs and interviews.
Medical second opinion
A medical helpline that can arrange a second opinion on a diagnosis or treatment plan.
How to start using it
- Register for My Royal LondonRoyal London emails you an invitation once your plan starts.
- Complete the LiveSmart questionnaireA short health questionnaire in your account. It personalises your health insights.
- Open the servicesHealthHero, Thrive and TrackActiveMe are in your account or their own apps. RedArc and the helplines are listed there too.
Who can use which part
Helping Hand is mainly for the person who owns the plan. They can use every service: the virtual GP, the mental health and physio apps, the RedArc nurse and the helplines.
Your partner and children can get support from a RedArc nurse if they face serious illness, injury or bereavement. Dependent children up to 16 can also use the virtual GP.
You do not need to make a claim to use any of it. Using it does not change your premium or your policy terms.
The small print
- Helping Hand is not insurance. Third-party firms provide each service, and the FCA and PRA do not regulate them.
- The services are not part of your policy contract, so Royal London can change or withdraw them at any time.
- It comes with Royal London protection plans bought through an adviser.
Royal London’s own documents
These are Royal London’s customer documents, checked as the latest versions in October 2026. They are the final word on what is and is not covered.
Questions people ask about Helping Hand
What is Royal London Helping Hand?
A support service that comes with Royal London protection plans bought through an adviser. It covers wellbeing apps, recovery support from a nurse, and helplines for legal, career and medical questions.
Does it cost extra?
No. It is included at no extra cost with advised Royal London protection plans.
Who can use Helping Hand?
The plan owner can use every service. Their partner and children can get RedArc nurse support, and dependent children up to 16 can use the virtual GP. This is available whether or not a claim has been made.
Do I need to make a claim to use it?
No. You can use Helping Hand at any time, whether or not you have made a claim.
Will using it affect my premiums?
No. Using the services does not change your premiums or your policy terms.
How do I see a GP through Helping Hand?
Through HealthHero, in your My Royal London account or the HealthHero app. You can book a phone or video appointment with an NHS-practising doctor at any time of day.
What is RedArc?
RedArc is Royal London’s recovery support partner. It provides a dedicated nurse who gives practical and emotional support through serious illness, injury or bereavement, for as long as it is needed.
Other added value benefits
Each insurer adds different extras. They can tip the choice between two policies that cost about the same.
Vitality rewardsPoints for staying active, with rewards and a premium linked to them.Read the guide
L&G Wellbeing SupportNurse-led support included with Legal & General protection plans.Read the guide
Want a plan that comes with Helping Hand?
We compare Royal London with other insurers on cover and price. Then we tell you plainly which one fits.
We are not Royal London. This page is based on Royal London’s published material. Always check Royal London’s own documents for current details.
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