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Life insurance pays out a lump sum to your family or loved ones if you die while your policy is active.
The payout could help with everyday bills, mortgage payments and other debts
Once the provider has all the information it needs, payouts are usually made fairly quickly
However, complex claims can take weeks or months.
Decide how much cover you want, how long it should last, and who you’d like the money to go to.
You pay monthly or annually to keep your policy active. This payment is known as a premium.
If you die while the policy is active, the provider pays a lump sum to your loved ones.
Quick tip
Some insurance providers will let you extend your policy, but you’ll need to do this before it ends.
Doing this could increase the cost of your premiums, so it might be worth getting a quote for a new life insurance policy.
Check what’s covered, what’s not, and whether any limits apply before you choose a policy. Life insurance policies may include:
Natural causes
Accidents
Terminal illness diagnosis (depending on the policy).
Medical conditions you didn’t tell the provider about or that weren’t covered when you took out the policy
Drug and alcohol abuse
High-risk activities such as dangerous sports
Criminal activity or deliberately putting yourself in harm’s way.
There are many reasons people choose to take out life insurance. A life insurance payout could:
A policy can give them financial security when they need it most.
The payout could replace some of the lost income your family relies on.
It could help cover any unpaid debts your loved ones may legally need to pay.
It could help pay off the mortgage, so your family can stay in their home.
Here’s a idea of what people are typically quoted when they compare with us3:
Amount insured | Monthly premium | Annual premium |
|---|---|---|
£175,000 | £18.59 | £224 |
These figures are only a guide.
If you have any medical conditions, the final price you’re offered is likely to be different to the one you first see when you compare.
The price of life insurance depends on:
Your age
Your health
Your lifestyle
The type of policy you choose
How long you need cover for.
The amount paid out depends on the type of policy you choose and how much cover you take out.
Your payout could be higher or lower based on your monthly payments and chosen provider.
You’ll be told exactly how much the payout will be when you get a life insurance quote.
Did you know?
Insurers paid out over £4 billion in life insurance claims in 2025, according to the Association of British Insurers (ABI).
More than 48,000 new claims were paid, with the average claim worth around £83,000.
There are different types of life insurance policies to suit different needs.
Type of cover | What it does | Things to keep in mind | Who it could work for |
|---|---|---|---|
Around £51 per month4 | Covers you for a set number of years,with fixed monthly payments and a fixed payout if you die during the term. | Fixed premiums and payout can make things more predictable, but cover can cost more and the payout doesn’t increase with inflation. | People who want to leave behind a set amount of money, whatever happens. |
Decreasing-term life insurance Around £38 per month4 | Covers you for a set period, but the payout reduces over time – often in line with a repayment mortgage. | Monthly payments are usually lower, though the amount paid out can be much smaller later on and it often only covers a mortgage. | Homeowners with a repayment mortgage. |
Around £65 per month4 | One policy that covers you and your partner, which can cost less than two separate policies. | It only pays out once, when the first person dies, so it’s often used to protect a shared mortgage. If you separate, you may not be able to split the policy. | Couples with shared finances, such as a mortgage and joint bills. |
Increasing cover | The payout rises over time to help keep up with inflation, but your monthly payments usually go up too. | It can suit growing costs or commitments, though it’s often more expensive than other term policies. | People who want their cover to keep pace with rising living costs. |
Covers you for your whole life and usually pays out whenever you die, if you keep up the payments. | It can help with things like inheritance tax planning, but it’s typically one of the more costly options. | People who want a guaranteed payout to be made whenever they die, rather than cover that ends on a set date. | |
Could pay out if you’re seriously injured or diagnosed with an illness listed in the policy. | Usually available as a life insurance policy add-on. | Main earners, the self-employed, or anyone with limited sick pay from their employer. | |
Pays a regular income if you can’t work because of sickness or disability. | You can set up the policy to cover you until you return to paid work or retire. | People whose household relies on their monthly wage and who couldn't manage long on statutory sick pay or savings. | |
Gives your family regular payments instead of a lump sum. | They’d get a monthly payment for an agreed amount of time. | Families with young children, especially single-earner households. | |
Designed for people aged 50 and over, with no need to answer medical questions or go through a medical check. | Usually offers a smaller payout and is often used to help cover funeral costs or leave a small gift. But you could pay in more than it pays out over time. | People aged 50 and over who want a straightforward way to leave something to loved ones. |
Our partners Howden Life & Health can help with over-50s life insurance and whole of life insurance. You can call them on 0808 141 1336.
When deciding which life insurance cover is best for you, think about:
The right amount of life insurance depends on your situation. A higher level of cover usually costs more, but too little could leave loved ones under financial strain.
Think about how your household would manage if it lost an income, or if a non-working partner died and you needed to pay for extra childcare or care.
Here is an example of how your cover amount impacts your premium. These figures are based on typical quotes for non-smokers over a 10-year term:
Amount covered | Monthly premium5 |
|---|---|
£10,000-£19,999 | £14 |
£50,000-£99,999 | £29 |
£250,000+ | £63 |
Compare pricing with our quick and easy life insurance calculator.
Did you know?
Average weekly UK household spending was £676 in the financial year ending 2025, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
The cost of life insurance depends on the policy you choose and details about you – such as your health, job and lifestyle.
The higher the payout you choose, the higher the premium you'll pay.
Longer policies usually cost more overall, but they also protect you for longer.
Costs generally rise with age as you’re more likely to develop health conditions.
Used to work out your Body Mass Index (BMI) which can give providers an idea of future health risks, such as type two diabetes and heart disease.
Providers look at any serious medical conditions in your family history that could affect you.
Smoking, nicotine use, alcohol intake, or high-risk hobbies can all affect the price of cover.
A higher-risk job, such as working for the police or in the armed forces, may bump up your premiums.
Past or current mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety, could affect your premiums.
The cheapest life insurance policy won’t always be the best one for your needs.
Here are some ways you may be able to save money without reducing your level of cover.
For example, 25-34-year-olds typically pay £11 per month for their life insurance, compared to 55-64-year-olds who pay £41. Based on a 10-year-policy with up to £175,000 cover for a non-smoker5.
Not smoking, staying active, and eating well can lower your risk and sometimes help reduce the price.
Combining critical illness cover with your life insurance can often work out cheaper than buying two separate policies.
For example, term life insurance can be limited to a set number of years. This could offer you a high level of cover when it’s needed most, at a lower cost.
Check your policy still fits your life, especially after big changes such as getting married or having children.
Comparing policies helps you balance price, cover levels, and any exclusions.
Life insurance can help give peace of mind that the people who rely on you have a financial safety net should the worst happen.
Many people consider it during big life changes, such as:
Buying a home
Starting or growing a family.
You might not need it if:
No one depends on your income
You’ve already paid off your mortgage
You have a suitable death in service benefit via your employer.
Even if life insurance isn’t right for you now, it’s worth thinking ahead as your situation could change. Keep in mind that it tends to be cheaper the younger you take it out.
Yes, it’s possible to get life insurance if you have a pre-existing condition – but it can affect your options and the cost of your cover.
You’ll be asked about your health when you apply, including any past or current medical conditions. Being open and honest is important.
Providers assess each person individually. They’ll look at things such as the type of condition, how serious it is, and how it’s being managed.
Your price may be higher, or your cover could come with certain limits, depending on your health. In some cases, cover may still be offered at standard rates.
Some conditions are more straightforward than others. If you’re worried about your health affecting your chances, getting tailored advice on your options can help.
Learn more: life insurance and pre-existing medical conditions
Getting a life insurance quote usually only takes a few minutes.
To give you a personalised quote, we’ll ask you about a few things, including:
Your name, date of birth and contact information.
Your medical history, including any pre-existing medical conditions.
You’ll be asked about your smoking habits or if you use nicotine substitutes.
The list of quotes we provide will also show you optional extras you might want to consider, such as critical illness cover.
Don't risk your claim being refused - be honest when applying. If any information is deliberately missing or incorrect, your provider will likely not pay out.
Don't assume you're covered if illness or injury stops you working - policies won’t normally pay out for total disability unless extra cover is added on, such as critical illness cover.
Don't wait until it's too late to access your money - some policies may pay out early if you're diagnosed with a terminal illness and are expected to have less than 12 months to live.
Don’t forget to check for exclusions - suicide or self-inflicted injury aren’t always covered or will come with conditions. For example, they may only pay out if more than 12 months have passed since you took out your policy or increased your cover.
Don’t cancel in a hurry - you have a 30-day cooling off period to change your mind and get a full refund. But it’s worth speaking to your insurer first as you may be able to change your policy to better suit your needs and not lose your cover altogether.
Don’t let your cover lapse - if you stop paying your premiums, your policy will be cancelled, and you won’t receive a payout. If money's tight, contact your provider before you miss a payment as they may be able to help.
If your life insurance claim is rejected, you can:
Ask them to explain clearly why your claim was rejected.
This is to make sure the decision matches the cover and exclusions.
If you think the decision is wrong, you can make a complaint.
Contact the Financial Ombudsman Service if you’re still unhappy with the outcome. It can review the case independently and at no cost.
Answering all questions honestly when applying and keeping your policy details up to date can help avoid problems later on.
Bear in mind...
Some providers allow a short grace period if you miss a payment, while others may stop cover straight away, so it’s important to check your policy.
If you know you’re going to miss a payment, contact your provider as soon as possible as it may offer a payment holiday.
You could also add a waiver of premium when taking out your policy to protect against future financial difficulties.
Find out more about the different types of life insurance, how cover works and what to consider before you buy
Life insurance is there for your loved ones if you die during the policy term, usually paying out a lump sum to help with things like your mortgage, bills or childcare.
Income protection is for you while you’re still alive. It can pay a regular monthly amount if illness or injury means you can’t work.
How long you should get life insurance for depends on what you want the payout to be used for. For example:
Your mortgage – it would need to last the same number of years as your mortgage term
Your children – you might want a policy that lasts until they’re grown up and financial independent.
Based on non-smokers with up to £175,000 cover, you could get the following premiums based on your policy's term length:
Policy term length | Monthly premium5 |
|---|---|
11-15 | £40 |
16-20 | £35 |
21-25 | £33 |
26-30 | £30 |
31-40 | £28 |
41-50 | £17 |
You can usually make a claim on a life insurance policy either by calling the policyholder’s provider or filling in an online claims form. You’ll typically need to give them:
The policy number
The name of the person who has died
The cause and date of death
Your details and relationship to the deceased.
The provider should then explain what happens next. Anyone can start the claims process but payouts will only be given to beneficiaries named on the policy.
The difference between life insurance and life assurance is the guarantee of a payout.
Life assurance is another term for whole of life insurance. It’s an ‘assurance’ that you’ll get a guaranteed payout no matter when you die.
A standard life insurance policy is only for a set term and won’t pay out once this has ended.
There shouldn’t be income tax to pay on a life insurance payout and you won’t pay IPT (Insurance Premium Tax) on your premiums.
It gets a little more complicated when it comes to inheritance tax:
Spouses and partners are usually exempt from inheritance tax on life insurance payouts when paid through your estate (your property, money and possessions)
Inheritance tax can be due if the total value of your estate is above the £325,000 threshold (though this threshold can be higher in some cases)
You may be able to avoid inheritance tax by writing your life insurance in trust (meaning it won’t form part of your estate).
Tax rules can be complex, and other exemptions can apply so it may be worth seeking professional legal help.
See more on life insurance and tax.
If you’ve quit smoking, you may be able to get a new, cheaper policy as a non-smoker, if you meet the provider’s criteria.
If you’ve taken up smoking since applying, your policy and premiums shouldn’t change. But check your cover terms in case you need to tell your provider.
According to our data, smokers pay around 27% more for their life insurance than non-smokers4.
Yes, you can have more than one life insurance policy, and this could make sense if it’s affordable and suits your needs:
Cover through your employer doesn’t stop you taking out your own policy
There’s no legal limit on how many policies you can have
Extra policies can help cover new needs, such as a second family.
You can mix policy types to cover different costs.
While life insurance isn’t a legal must-have, mortgage providers might recommend you have life protection when you take out a mortgage with them.
A waiver of premium is an optional extra when taking out your policy.
It could cover your monthly life insurance payments if you can't work because of serious injury or critical illness. Be aware that it can increase the cost of your premium.
If you don’t die during the term of your policy, there won’t be any payout and you won’t get any money back for the premiums you’ve paid.
You might be covered by your employer’s life insurance.
Some companies offer death in service benefit – a tax-free lump sum that’s paid out if you die while working for them.
Tim Knighton is an expert in building and managing relationships with big brands for the benefit of customers, with more than 20 years of experience. He seeks out the right products that look after you and those you love most during the toughest times.
151% of our under 30-year-old, non-smoker customers were quoted less than £4.74 per month for their 10-year decreasing term life insurance policy, up to £175k worth of cover, no critical illness cover in September 2026.
2Based on Trustpilot ratings (October 2026).
3 51% of our customers were quoted less than £18.59 per month for their life insurance for a 10-year term, up to £175k worth of cover and no critical illness cover in September 2026. 51% of our customers were quoted less than £223.08 per year for their life insurance for a 10-year term, up to £175k worth of cover and no critical illness cover in September 2026.
4 Based on 51% of customers who compared quotes for this type of policy in September 2026.
5 Based on 51% of customers who compared quotes for this type of policy between February 2026 and July 2026.
What our expert says...
How can I avoid life insurance scams?
“Common examples of life insurance scams include messages explaining a ‘problem’ with your policy or payment details or telling you that you’re the beneficiary of someone else’s policy and are due a payout.
"In both examples, the scammers will ask you for your personal information (including payment details) or to click on a link for more information.
“The best way to stay safe is to not respond directly to these emails or phone calls. Instead, always contact the provider directly, using the contact details provided on their official website. If you’re suspicious or unfamiliar with the provider, do some research online.”