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Life insurance pays out a cash sum to your loved ones if you die while your policy is active.
There are different types of policy, including:
Level term (family) insurance – pays out a fixed amount if you die during the policy term.
Decreasing term (mortgage) insurance – the payout reduces over time.
Critical illness cover – pays out if you’re diagnosed with a serious medical condition.
Most life insurance policies follow the same steps:
You pay a set amount of money each month or year. This is called your premium.
Your policy runs for a set period of time. This is called your term.
If you die during that term, your chosen beneficiaries receive a lump sum payout.
It's worth considering if your death could cause financial difficulties for someone you care about.
It may be a good idea if you:
Have children or dependants who rely on your income.
Share a mortgage or debts with a partner.
Want to cover funeral costs or household expenses.
💡 Top tip: There is no legal requirement in the UK to take out life insurance, but some mortgage providers require it.
Taking out life insurance involves choosing the right level of cover for your circumstances, applying to an insurer, and paying a regular monthly premium. Here is what the process typically looks like.
Step-by-step: taking out life insurance
Choose your cover type: Decide between level term (fixed payout) or decreasing term (payout reduces over time, designed to match a repayment mortgage).
Decide who to cover: You can take out a single policy covering yourself, or a joint policy that covers you and your partner.
Add optional extras: You may be able to add critical illness cover, which pays out if you are diagnosed with a specified serious illness during the term.
Apply and answer health questions: Your insurer will ask about your age, health, lifestyle, and medical history. Answer honestly, as incorrect information could invalidate your policy.
Underwriting: Your insurer assesses your application and decides whether to offer cover and at what price. Some applications are accepted immediately; others may require additional medical information.
Policy starts: Once accepted, your cover begins and you start paying your monthly premium. Your policy document confirms the cover amount, term, and any exclusions.
Keep paying your premiums: Your premium stays the same for the duration of the term, provided you chose a guaranteed premium policy. If you stop paying, your policy may lapse and you could lose your cover.
Make a claim if needed: If you die during the policy term, your beneficiaries contact the insurer to make a claim. The insurer will typically pay out the agreed lump sum once the claim is verified.
Policy ends: If you outlive the term, your cover ends and no payout is made. You may be able to take out a new policy, although your age and health at that point will affect the cost.
How much life insurance you need depends on what you want the payout to cover. A common guideline suggests aiming for around 5 to 10 times your annual salary, but the right amount for you will depend on your specific financial commitments. When working out how much cover you need, it is worth thinking about:
Your mortgage balance: enough to clear the outstanding balance so your family can stay in the home.
Everyday household bills: the average UK household spends £1,657.67
Childcare and raising children: the cost of raising a child for a lone parent can be around £16,111
Funeral costs: the average cost of a funeral in the UK is £4,285
Future milestones: you may also want to factor in contributions to university fees, a first home deposit, or a wedding.
If you are not sure where to start, a life insurance calculator can help you estimate a suitable level of cover based on your income and outgoings.
The life insurance calculator helps you estimate how much cover your family might need. Enter your desired payout amount, any existing cover you already have (such as a death-in-service benefit through your employer), and the tool calculates a suggested cover level.
This is a starting point, not a recommendation. Your actual needs may vary depending on your financial circumstances, and you can adjust the cover amount when you get a quote.
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There are two main options for life insurance:
Also called: Level-term insurance
Payout: Remains the same throughout your policy
Best for: Providing long-term financial security and support to your dependants.
Example: This type of policy could ensure that if you unexpectedly passed away you could still help your children with their house deposit or wedding when they grow up.
Fixed premiums: How much you pay never changes
Fixed payout: You know exactly how much money your beneficiaries will receive
Cost: Rarely the cheapest policy option
Not linked to inflation: Your payout will be worth less if the cost of living goes up
Also called: Decreasing-term insurance
Payout: Reduces in size over time
Best for: Covering large but shorter-term debts and expenses like mortgages.
Example: This type of policy could allow your loved ones to stay in their family home if you were no longer around to contribute to the mortgage payment.
Price: These policies are usually the cheapest type of life insurance
Specific: They can be used when you only want protection while you hold a lot of debt
Shorter-term protection: Payouts are highest when you first take out the policy
Not suitable for all mortgage types, including interest-only
Beyond level term and decreasing term, there are several other types of life insurance and protection cover designed for different needs.
Critical illness cover: pays a tax-free lump sum if you are diagnosed with a specified serious illness, such as cancer, heart attack, or stroke.
Income protection: replaces a portion of your income if you cannot work due to illness or injury.
Over 50s life insurance: a whole-of-life policy with guaranteed acceptance and no medical questions, designed for people aged 50 and over.
Joint life insurance: a single policy covering two people, typically paying out on the first death.
Whole-of-life insurance: provides lifelong cover with a guaranteed payout whenever you die, rather than covering a fixed term.
Death-in-service benefit: a benefit provided by some employers that pays a lump sum to your family if you die while employed by them. This is not a personal policy.
Watch our short video guide for a quick overview of how life insurance works and what to consider when choosing a policy.
Life insurance and critical illness cover protect against different risks. Life insurance pays out if you die; critical illness cover pays out if you are diagnosed with a specified serious illness while you are still alive.
You can add critical illness cover to a life insurance policy as an optional extra, or buy it as a standalone policy. A combined policy typically costs more than life insurance alone but less than two separate policies.
The median cost of life insurance with a critical illness add-on through MoneySuperMarket is £33.50
Statistics suggest that working-age men are around four times more likely to be diagnosed with a serious illness than to die before retirement.
If your family depends on your income, critical illness cover can provide a financial safety net if you are unable to work due to a serious diagnosis.
Most people aged 18 to 75 who are UK residents with the legal right to live in the UK can apply for life insurance. Your insurer will assess your individual application based on your age, health, and lifestyle, so eligibility is not guaranteed. Some providers may have different age limits or medical criteria.
No payout is made. If you outlive the term of a level term or decreasing term policy, the cover simply ends. You do not receive a refund of the premiums you have paid. If you still need cover, you can apply for a new policy, though your age and health at that point will affect the cost. Alternatively, a whole-of-life policy guarantees a payout whenever you die, regardless of when that is.
Protection insurance is a broad term for policies that provide financial support if you die, become seriously ill, or cannot work. Life insurance is one type of protection insurance, focused specifically on paying out if you die. Other types include critical illness cover, which pays out on diagnosis of a serious illness, and income protection insurance, which replaces part of your income if you are unable to work.
If you miss a payment, your life insurance policy may lapse, meaning you lose your cover and would not receive a payout if you died.
Most insurers offer a short grace period during which you can make up a missed payment without losing cover. Some policies offer a waiver of premium option, which keeps your cover active if you cannot work due to illness or injury.
Not as standard. Most life insurance policies pay a fixed amount, so the real value of your payout may decrease over time as the cost of living rises. Some policies offer an indexation option, which increases your cover (and premium) each year in line with inflation. This is worth considering if you are taking out a long-term policy.
It is not a legal requirement to have life insurance for a mortgage, but some lenders may insist on it as a condition of lending. Even if your lender does not require it, life insurance can help ensure your family can continue to make mortgage repayments if you die. You are free to choose your own life insurance provider; you do not have to use the one your lender suggests.
Yes. Your mortgage life insurance policy remains valid even if you pay off your mortgage early. The policy is a separate financial product and is not tied to your mortgage account. If you die during the policy term, the payout is made to your beneficiaries, who can use the money for any purpose.
No. Mortgage life insurance pays a lump sum if you die, designed to clear your outstanding mortgage balance. Mortgage protection insurance (also known as mortgage payment protection) covers your monthly mortgage payments if you are unable to work due to illness, injury, or redundancy. They protect against different risks.
The cost of life insurance depends on several factors, including your age, health, whether you smoke, the type of cover you choose, and how much cover you need. Premiums are personal to you, so the best way to find out what you would pay is to get a quote.
To give you a general idea, here are the median monthly costs for customers who recently bought life insurance through MoneySuperMarket:
Cover type | Median monthly cost |
Family life insurance (level term) | £25.76 |
Mortgage life insurance (decreasing term) | £22.85 |
Life insurance with critical illness add-on | £32.26 |
Younger customers typically pay less. The median monthly cost for customers aged 18 to 49 is £22.80
Most life insurance policies will cover:
✔ Death from natural causes
✔ Death from illness
✔ Accidental death
✔ Death from suicide (but with a waiting period)
✔ Terminal illness (if included in the policy)
✔ Critical illness (if added as extra cover)
A life insurance claim could be refused for:
✖ Providing false or incomplete information when you apply
✖ Missing premium payments
✖ Death caused by risky or illegal activities
✖ Death linked to drug or alcohol misuse
✖ Suicide within the waiting period (usually 12–24 months)
✖ Death outside the policy term (for term life insurance only)
✖ Exclusions specific to your policy, such as certain high-risk occupations or travel
Yes, many people with pre-existing medical conditions can still get life insurance. You will need to declare any conditions when you apply, and your insurer will take them into account when calculating your premium. In some cases, your premium may be higher than average, or your insurer may apply specific exclusions.
For example, a 30-year-old non-smoker with managed hypertension could find life insurance cover from £7.96
If you have a specific condition, you can explore your options in more detail on our dedicated pages, including cover for arthritis, asthma, depression and anxiety, hypertension, diabetes, and smoking.
Life insurance is often cheaper when you are younger and in good health, so taking out a policy early can lock in a lower premium for the duration of the term. The median monthly cost for customers aged 18 to 49 through MoneySuperMarket is £22.80
Even if you do not have dependants yet, taking out cover while you are young may be worth considering. Research from Our Future Health (2023) found that 14% of adults under 40 already have a long-term health condition, compared to 58% of those over 60. Developing a health condition later in life could make cover more expensive or harder to obtain.
Yes. If you are over 50, you can still get life insurance. Standard term life insurance is available up to age 75 with most providers, though premiums will be higher than for younger applicants. Over 50s life insurance is a specific type of whole-of-life policy designed for people aged 50 and over, typically with guaranteed acceptance and no medical questions.
You can compare over 50s life insurance options through MoneySuperMarket to find cover that fits your needs and budget.
It’s a sobering truth that nearly one in five men and one in ten women
^ don’t make it to retirement age. Behind that statistic are real families suddenly faced with the emotional and financial shock of losing a loved one far too soon.We spend a lot of time thinking about pensions and long-term savings, but this highlights why life insurance matters right now. It’s not about you - it’s about protecting the people you love. The right cover can help keep a roof over their heads, pay the bills, and provide stability at the very moment they need it most.
Kara Gammell Life insurance expert
To make a life insurance claim, contact the insurer or policy provider. You’ll need:
The deceased’s name and policy number
A copy of the death certificate
Proof of your relationship to the policyholder
Once documents are received, the insurer will assess the claim and confirm when the payout will be made.
Most payouts are made within a few weeks to a few months, depending on how quickly documents are submitted and how complex the claim is.
Yes — you can cancel at any time.
If you cancel within 30 days, you’ll usually get a full refund. After that, premiums you’ve paid won’t be refunded.
Yes, you can usually extend your policy, though your insurer may reassess your health and update your premiums.
Yes, life insurance claims can be refused if:
The policy wasn’t active
Incorrect or incomplete information was provided
The death wasn’t covered under the policy terms
There’s evidence of fraud
The insurer must explain why they have rejected your claim. If you do not agree with their decision, you can appeal or complain to the Financial Ombudsman Service.
A life insurance payout gives your loved ones financial support after you die. The money can be used for anything they need, whether that’s covering day-to-day costs or helping them plan for the future.
Common uses include:
Mortgage or rent payments
Everyday household bills (utilities, groceries, transport)
Outstanding debts (credit cards, loans, car finance)
Funeral and burial costs
Childcare and education expenses
Replacing lost income for dependants
Medical or care costs for family members
Paying off business debts or commitments
A financial gift or inheritance for children or grandchildren
Covering future milestones such as weddings, house deposits or university fees
To help you find the right life insurance cover, we just need a few minutes of your time and the following information to get you a personalised quote:
Such as your name, address, date of birth, and occupation
Any pre-existing medical conditions and basic health information, such as height and weight.
For example, if you're a smoker or drinker, or engage in any activities that may be classed as dangerous
Including the type of life insurance you want, if you want to cover your spouse or partner, and how much you would like to pay
We only work with FCA-regulated companies, which means they meet strict standards for fairness, transparency and customer protection.
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Restrictions apply. One voucher per person. Not available to customers who previously received a voucher with a life insurance policy purchased after 1st May 2022. Offer end date 26th March 2026
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We’ve partnered with LifeSearch to give people more guidance when buying life insurance. If you’d like some help you can talk to LifeSearch free of charge.
MoneySuperMarket has a long-standing partnership with LifeSearch, one of the UK's leading protection advice specialists.
LifeSearch has been protecting people for over 25 years. Since 1998, they’ve helped over a million individuals, families, and businesses secure 1.7 million policies.
When you compare life insurance through MoneySuperMarket, you’ll see options from insurers LifeSearch work with — helping you find cover that fits your circumstances.
Your policy will always be taken out with the insurer you choose, but LifeSearch can support you at every stage, from applying for cover to making a claim. You can also manage claims directly through their website.
We receive a commission for referrals, but this never affects the price you pay for your policy.
➡️ Find out more about how MoneySuperMarket makes money
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Life insurance is a policy that pays a tax-free lump sum to the people you choose if you die during the term of the cover. You select the amount of cover and the length of the term when you take out the policy, and you pay a fixed monthly premium. If you die within the term, your insurer pays the agreed amount to your beneficiaries. If you outlive the term, the cover ends and no payout is made.
Insurers use many factors to calculate your premium, including:
Age – premiums rise as you get older
Location – life expectancy varies across the UK
Occupation – risky roles can increase prices
Policy type – e.g., level term vs decreasing term
Payout amount – higher cover costs more
Policy length – longer terms cost more
Health and lifestyle – smoking, drinking, BMI and hobbies all affect risk
Medical history – past or current health conditions may increase costs
Payment frequency – annual payments are often cheaper than monthly
Most term life insurance policies have both minimum and maximum age limits for when you can apply.
The upper age limit is usually between 65 and 80, depending on the insurer and the type of cover. Once your policy is active, it will continue until the end of the term you’ve chosen.
If you’re older, there are also specialist life insurance policies designed with higher or no upper age limits. Over 50s life insurance is one example.
The main differences between life insurance and over 50s life insurance are:
Cover lasts a lifetime: Unlike standard life insurance, over-50s life insurance is designed to cover you for the rest of your life, as long as you keep up with your payments. Usually, standard life insurance policies will only cover you for a set term
No medical info needed: Similar to no medical life insurance cover, you’ll get guaranteed acceptance regardless of any medical conditions you have
Yes, there are no legal limits to how many protection insurance policies you can have at once.
It is common for people to supplement their life insurance with cover that financially protects them if they were unable to work for a prolonged period of time.
This cover can take the form of:
Critical illness cover - Pays out if you are diagnosed with a serious illness.
Income protection insurance - Pays out a percentage of your salary if you temporarily cannot work because of an accident, illness or redundancy.
A waiting period is a set amount of time at the start of a life insurance policy when certain causes of death or illness aren’t covered. If the policyholder dies during this period, the insurer may not pay out.
The most common waiting period applies to death by suicide, which is usually excluded for the first 12 to 24 months after the policy begins. This rule is designed to prevent immediate claims following the policy start date.
Some whole of life or over-50s policies also have a waiting period for death from natural causes, often lasting one or two years. During that time, the insurer will only pay out for accidental death; if death occurs from illness or natural causes, the policyholder’s premiums are usually refunded instead.
Life insurance is designed to pay out a benefit to your loved ones in the event of your debt, so it will not usually payout to cover you if you fall ill.
However, most life insurance policies offer a type of terminal illness cover. This means that if you are diagnosed with a terminal illness with less than 12 months to live, you can make a claim on your life insurance. Your benefit can be used for care and end-of-life preparations.
If you want insurance to cover you for serious illnesses, you can optionally add critical illness cover to your life insurance policy. This extra cover allows you to claim your life insurance benefit if you are diagnosed with a critical illness.
It depends on how your policy is set up.
With combined cover, you’ll usually receive one payout only. If you claim for a critical illness, the policy typically ends and there won’t be a later life insurance payout.
With add-on cover, critical illness and life insurance can work as two separate protections, meaning one payout if you’re diagnosed and another if you pass away during the policy term.
Life insurance is usually worth considering if someone would struggle financially if you died. This could include:
a partner or spouse
children
elderly parents or other relatives you support
a business partner or co-owner
someone you share debts with, such as a joint mortgage
If you’re single with no dependants and no shared financial responsibilities, you may not need life insurance. In this case, other protection products - such as income protection or critical illness cover - may be more suitable.
It’s still worth reviewing your position regularly, as your needs can change if you start a family, buy a home, or enter a long-term relationship.
It is not a legal requirement to have life insurance for a mortgage, but some lenders may insist on it as a condition of lending. Even if your lender does not require it, life insurance can help ensure your family can continue to make mortgage repayments if you die. You are free to choose your own life insurance provider; you do not have to use the one your lender suggests.
Whether you choose single or joint life insurance depends on your situation. If you’re part of a couple and have dependants, joint life insurance can be a slightly cheaper way to provide financial protection for your family if something happens to one or both of you.
However, most joint policies only pay out once, when the first person dies. You may also need to alter your life insurance policy if you and your partner get divorced.
Having a pension does not necessarily mean you don't need life insurance. While a pension supports you during retirement, life insurance is meant to provide financial support to your dependents after your passing. Whether you need life insurance depends on your specific situation, such as having dependents, a mortgage, or other debts.
In the UK, your debts don’t disappear when you die, but they don’t pass directly to your family either.
Most debts are paid out of your estate, which is the total value of your assets, such as property, savings and investments, before anything is inherited. If you have joint debts, such as a joint mortgage or loan, the surviving person is usually still responsible for the full amount.
Life insurance can help cover these debts so they don’t become a financial burden.
Some debts are treated differently. For example, student loans are written off when you die and don’t need to be repaid by your estate or family.
Whether you choose single or joint life insurance depends on your situation. If you’re part of a couple and have dependants, joint life insurance can be a slightly cheaper way to provide financial protection for your family if something happens to one or both of you.
However, most joint policies only pay out once, when the first person dies. You may also need to alter your life insurance policy if you and your partner get divorced.
Yes, it is possible to take out life insurance on your partner but there are some conditions to this.
If you are taking out life insurance on behalf of another person, you will need to demonstrate that you have 'insurable interest'. This means that you would have provable financial loss if they passed away. This is something that would need to be recognised by the law.
For example, you would experience a financial loss if you own a shared mortgage or were joint owners of a business, and so would have a viable reason for taking out a life insurance policy.
However, you need consent from the other person to take out life insurance on them and in most cases will need a financial advisor to set up the policy as it cannot be applied for in the same way as a standard life insurance policy.
If you get divorced or separate, you should review your life insurance as soon as possible.
If you have a single life insurance policy, you can usually keep it, but you may want to change the beneficiary so the payout doesn’t go to your ex-partner. Beneficiaries don’t change automatically, so you’ll need to update them with your insurer.
If you have a joint life insurance policy, you’ll normally need to take action. Your options may include:
splitting the policy into two single policies (if your insurer offers a separation benefit)
one person taking over the policy
cancelling the policy and arranging new cover
Be aware that cancelling and taking out a new policy later can be more expensive, as premiums usually increase with age and you may need new medical checks.
In some cases, divorce or separation agreements require life insurance to stay in place for the benefit of children or an ex-partner. If this applies to you, it’s a good idea to get legal advice before making changes.
Yes. Life insurance for the self-employed works the same way as for employees, but you won’t usually have employer benefits like death-in-service cover.
Life insurance can help protect:
family members who rely on your income
business partners or co-owners
the business itself, by helping cover debts or fund ownership changes
Some business owners also consider key person insurance, which is designed to protect a business if someone critical to its success dies.
You should review your life insurance whenever your circumstances change, including if you:
get married, separate or divorce
move in with a partner
have a child
buy or pay off a mortgage
start or leave a business
take on new financial responsibilities
Life insurance doesn’t update automatically, so you may need to change your beneficiaries, cover amount or policy type to make sure it still meets your needs.
Even without major changes, it’s a good idea to review your policy every few years.
How much you pay for life insurance depends on your age, health, smoking status, and the type and amount of cover you choose. Through MoneySuperMarket, quotes start from £2.69
Life insurance payouts are generally not subject to income tax or capital gains tax in the UK. However, if the payout forms part of your estate, it may be subject to inheritance tax if your estate exceeds the nil-rate band. Writing your policy into a trust can help ensure the payout goes directly to your beneficiaries without being included in your estate for inheritance tax purposes.
It depends on your insurer and policy type. Some providers allow you to adjust your cover level, extend or shorten your term, or add extras such as critical illness cover after your policy has started. Others may require you to take out a new policy if you want to make significant changes. Check your policy terms or contact your insurer to find out what options are available to you.
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Reviewed on 27 Feb 2026 by
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