*Based on £150,000 of level-term cover for 25 years for a 30-year-old non-smoking male with no pre-existing medical conditions (March 2023)
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 beneficial 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 mortgages and cover other recurring expenses so there are no additional disruptions to their way of life.
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There are three 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.
Whole of life insurance: This insurance policy covers you for your entire life. The insurer invests your premiums until a claim is made. The insurer may increase the premium if the fund performs poorly due to market conditions. However, the pay out remains unchanged.
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.
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.”
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: April 17, 2023