*Dependant on age, cover term and cover amount selected. Example of a 20 year old non-smoker in good health, taking £100,000 level cover over 25 years. Based on data from online sales August 2024.
Life insurance helps protect your family and loved ones financially if you die. It pays out a lump sum to your beneficiaries, who can use to pay for living expenses in the event of your death.
It can be useful if you have dependants who rely on your income - for example to pay the mortgage or other bills. This could be a wife, husband, partner or children.
The money can help them pay off the mortgage or cover other recurring expenses so there are no additional disruptions to their way of life.
There are two different types of life insurance policies that work in different ways:
Level term life insurance: If you pass away during the policy term, your insurer will pay a lump sum agreed at the start of the policy.
Decreasing term life insurance: The amount of cover reduces in line with your debts or other liabilities, such as the balance on your mortgage. It's important to review this protection if you move home, or increase your mortgage.
Remember...
There are also similar policies designed to pay out if you are seriously ill and lose earnings, but don't actually die.
Whether you’re looking to protect your mortgage or leave something behind for loved ones, you can find a life insurance quote for a policy to suit your situation.
Aged over 60 and looking for an affordable life insurance policy? Here we explain how to get the right level of cover at the right price.
Do you need life insurance if your employer provides a death in service benefit? Read our guide to find out how to combine both policies for more protection
Read our guide to life insurance for higher risk individuals and you'll learn how to find affordable life cover if your insurer considers you to be a high risk policyholder.
Choosing the best life insurance policy can be confusing - read our life insurance tips before you compare and buy life insurance.
Learn how decreasing term life insurance can protect your family's finances in the event of your death, including paying off your mortgage or other debts.
How easy is it to get life insurance for diabetics type 2? This guide explains how having diabetes can affect the ability to get life insurance, as well as the cost of it, and what you can do to minimise the impact.
If you're considering taking out a life insurance policy, your loved ones are more likely to benefit from it if it's 'written in trust'. Find out what putting life insurance in trust means for your beneficiaries.
Can you get life insurance with no medical? Read our guide to find out whether you fit the requirements, then get a quote for no medical life insurance.
Are life insurance payouts taxable? Our guide to life insurance tax outlines how to get tax-free life insurance and compare quotes.
Finding the right insurance policy can allow you to relax in the knowledge that your family is protected. Compare, buy or switch life insurance policies within minutes.
Do you have dependents? You could benefit from life insurance. We explain what to consider when searching for cheap life insurance and how Uswitch can help.
A funeral plan is an easy way to plan ahead and beat rising funeral costs. Find out how to help cover the cost of a funeral and ensure peace of mind.
Mortgage protection insurance is one way to help cover your debt repayments in the event of losing your income. Learn more about mortgage protection cover.
What is whole of life insurance, and what does it cover? Read our guide to whole of life insurance, also known as life assurance, and find out how to save.
If you're a new parent, life insurance might not be the first thing on your mind - but it's actually a great time to get cover. Find out why in our guide.
Find out how to get affordable life insurance in our guide, and learn how to find the best policy. Compare with Uswitch and get cover from just £5 a month.
Couples or those with a joint financial interest can choose to take out a joint life insurance policy or their own separate policies. But which is best?
Level term life insurance covers a fixed period with a fixed payout. Read our guide to help find you the cheapest life insurance on the market.
It is possible to take out life insurance after you've survived a critical illness. Find out how to find cover and make sure you find the right policy for you.
Over 50s life insurance could save you money and better protect your family. Our guide to life insurance for the over 50s can help you decide what you need.
You can calculate how much you would need each month by totting up all your monthly bills. Consider your regular family outgoings:
Mortgage or rent
Food
Living costs
Other expenses
The bigger the pay-out you might need, the higher the monthly premiums.The length of life insurance cover you need will depend on your age, health, and the reason for taking out the insurance policy. Older people and those in bad health can get a shorter length of life insurance cover.
You might decide you need a combination of policies, with one decreasing term policy to cover your mortgage and one level term policy to leave you family comfortably off if you pass away.
To find the best life insurance you will have to tell the insurance company about your age, health, whether you smoke, your lifestyle and your occupation.
In some cases, you might need have a medical examination depending on the answers you provide when taking out the policy.
It's important that you give all the information requested when you fill in your life insurance form – otherwise you may be disqualified from claiming in the future.
Remember...
Avoid the temptation of trying to score a cheaper premium by not being truthful about your health.
The younger you are, the cheaper your premiums are likely to be.
Everyone with dependants and debts to pay should consider taking out a life insurance policy to protect their family financially if they die.
If you have life insurance to cover a mortgage, find the best life insurance for that with a policy that lasts as long as the mortgage.
Life insurance quotes can start from just a few pence a day, paid every month.
Richard Jackson, 39, is a stay-at-home Dad with two sons, living in Paignton, Devon. He's been saving money by switching his bills with Uswitch for 14 years after buying his first property.
He has some advice for anyone looking for a life insurance policy:
"I check Uswitch multiple times a year to find the best deals and have switched my life insurance, as well as broadband and TV packages with Uswitch in the past. My tip is to set reminders on your phone for when your bills like insurance policies come out or are due for renewal. This means you can shop around for the best deal and don't get caught short with automatic renewals.
It’s such a quick and straight-forward process and it means I can make savings to spend on things like a family cruise or a lush holiday. Sadly, that’s not been possible the last year due to the pandemic, so our savings have instead been put into improving our house and landscaping the garden. I would estimate over the past 14 years I've saved at least £3,000, if not more which has been so helpful for myself and my family.”
The price you pay for a life insurance policy depends on a number of things. These include:
How old you are
Whether you are in good health
If you exercise
Whether you smoke
How long you want the life cover to run
The size of the payout you want from the life insurance policy
Competition among life insurance companies means cheap UK life insurance is easy to get. Life insurance quotes can start from just a few pence a day, paid every month. Using life insurance comparison tools can help choose a policy that provides the cover you need, for a cost you can afford.
To find the best life insurance companies for you, and the cheapest life insurance quotes, have a plan for the payout. The more expensive the plan, the larger the amount of life insurance cover you will need.
If you have young children, you may want life insurance cover to help your partner with the cost of raising them until they are adults. If you are the main breadwinner, a life insurance policy payout could help your surviving spouse pay off some bills or debts.
The length of life insurance cover you need will depend on your age, health, and the reason for taking out the insurance policy. Older people and those in bad health can get a shorter length of life insurance cover. Generally, you can expect to pay a lot less in premiums the younger and healthier you are as there is less likelihood your family will need to make a claim on it. Like health insurance policies, if you are a regular smoker you can expect to pay more for life insurance as the insurance provider considers this may decrease your life expectancy.
If you have young children, the best life insurance policy for you may last until the youngest is 18 years old. This way they are financially secure until they are adults.
If you have life insurance to cover a mortgage, find the best life insurance for that with a policy that lasts as long as the mortgage.
A life insurance policy can be beneficial if you have dependents who rely on your income - for example to pay the mortgage or other bills. This could be a wife, husband, partner or children. If you were to die during the term of the policy, the insurance would pay out a fixed lump sum to your family. For example, if you work full-time while your partner stays home to look after your children, they would be impacted were you to no longer provide for them. Equally, if your other half can only do their full time job because you provide childcare while they're at work, the insurance policy could be used to cover that cost. The money can help them take care of fixed, ongoing financial commitments like mortgage payments and other recurring expenses so there are no additional disruptions to their way of life.
Finding the right insurance policy can allow you to relax in the knowledge that your family is protected. Compare, buy or switch life insurance policies within minutes.
Can you get life insurance with no medical? Read our guide to find out whether you fit the requirements, then get a quote for no medical life insurance.
Traditionally, men have been the more likely to get life insurance, but it is just as important for women, especially for those planning to start a family.
When you're over 50 life insurance can provide important financial security. But choosing the right policy could save you money and better protect your family
Last updated: October 1, 2024