BUPA life insurance

Updated: Periodically. Details correct at the time of publication – October, 2007.

The British United Provident Association (BUPA) formed in 1947 as an alternative to the National Health Service (which was due to be introduced a year later) so that people could maintain freedom of choice over their healthcare. It is already renowned as one of the leading providers of private healthcare and now BUPA has expanded its services to include life insurance (also known as 'BUPA life assurance' or 'BUPA term assurance') and critical illness cover.

The key to BUPA life insurance is flexibility. The company offers five types of cover so you can choose the one that most closely matches your individual requirements. These include BUPA level term cover, which has a fixed lump sum payout and family income benefit cover in which the benefit is paid annually until the scheme ends.

Additionally, BUPA offers: mortgage protection term cover which operates for a specified number of years based on your mortgage period; renewable term cover – a fixed lump sum that is renewed every five or ten years; and deceasing term cover with the amount reaching zero at the end of the term. You can also choose further options for additional payments such as a subscription waiver and total permanent disability cover.

BUPA also now offers critical illness cover which can be taken separately or in addition to life insurance. BUPA critical illness cover is available with either guaranteed subscriptions or renewable subscriptions. For further reassurance, BUPA life insurance gives you access to the BUPA HealthLine – a 24hr support service.