BT Financial Group has been named platinum winner in the Plan For Life and Association of Financial Advisers Life Company of the Year awards.

The runners up were TAL and CommInsure.

BT also won the income protection category, while TAL took out awards for term and trauma cover. CommInsure won the investment bond category.

Zurich won the service quality award, while MLC took the risk product innovation category.

Challenger was named annuity provider of the year and also won the long-term income stream and annuity innovation categories.

Plan For Life Manager, Marketing and Product Development Rael Solomon says life insurance companies found new ways to engage with advisers and clients last year.

“Fresh approaches to encourage customers to improve their health, as well as gaining benefits in the cost of insurance cover, is a very hot topic at present,” he said.

“An increasing number of companies have introduced new health programs as part of their offer to new and existing clients.

“We expect this trend towards health benefits will continue to be refined in future.”