Royal London Term Life UK Royal London
£7.50 /month
- Monthly Premium: From ~£7.50/mo
- Cover Amount: £100k–£1m+
- Term: 10–50 years
- Key Feature: Mutual — all profits to policyholders; Waiver of premium; Serious illness + life combo
Compare Life Insurance in United Kingdom
Compare the top life insurance providers in United Kingdom — see cover, features and typical rates side by side.
Live offers
19 live offers compared from 19 providers, from £7.50 /month. Updated daily.
Legal & General Term Life UK Legal & General
£8 /month
- Monthly Premium: From ~£8/mo
- Cover Amount: £100k–£1m+
- Term: 10–40 years
- Key Feature: UK's largest life insurer; Critical illness add-on; Umbrella benefit (children covered)
Zurich Life Term UK Zurich UK Life
£8.50 /month
- Monthly Premium: From ~£8.50/mo
- Cover Amount: £100k–£1m
- Term: 10–40 years
- Key Feature: Swiss global insurer; Vitality healthy-living discount; waiver of premium standard
Scottish Widows Term Life UK Scottish Widows
£9 /month
- Monthly Premium: From ~£9/mo
- Cover Amount: £100k–£750k
- Term: 10–35 years
- Key Feature: Lloyds Banking Group subsidiary; CII Claims award; Terminal illness payout
Aviva Life Insurance UK Aviva UK
£9 /month
- Monthly Premium: From ~£9/mo
- Cover Amount: £100k–£1m+
- Term: 5–40 years
- Key Feature: Aviva Digicare+ health app; Critical illness add-on; most switched-to UK insurer
LV= Term Life UK LV=
£30 /month
Vitality Life UK Vitality Health UK
£30 /month
Guardian 1821 Life Guardian 1821
£30 /month
British Friendly British Friendly
£30 /month
Beagle Street Life Beagle Street
£30 /month
DeadHappy Life DeadHappy
£30 /month
Prudential UK Life Prudential
£30 /month
Canada Life Term Canada Life
£30 /month
Sun Life Over 50s Sun Life
£30 /month
Foresters Life UK Foresters Financial
£30 /month
Cirencester Friendly IP Life Cirencester Friendly
£30 /month
Holloway Friendly Life Holloway Friendly
£30 /month
AIG Life Cover UK AIG Life
£30 /month
HSBC Life Insurance HSBC UK
£30 /month
What is life insurance in the UK?
Life insurance pays out a cash sum if you die during the policy term, giving your family or dependants financial security to cover a mortgage, replace lost income or meet everyday costs. It is one of the most common forms of financial protection in the UK, often taken out when people buy a home or start a family.
The main types are term life insurance, which covers a set period, and whole-of-life cover, which pays out whenever you die and is typically more expensive.
How the UK life insurance market works
Premiums are based on your age, health, smoking status, lifestyle and the sum assured. Buying young and healthy locks in lower premiums for the life of a term policy. Cover comes in several structures: level term pays a fixed sum, decreasing term reduces over time to track a repayment mortgage, and increasing term rises with inflation.
A crucial and often overlooked step is writing the policy in trust, which keeps the payout outside your estate for inheritance tax and speeds up payment to beneficiaries.
Types of cover
Level term — a fixed lump sum throughout the term, suited to family protection.
Decreasing term — falls over time to match a repayment mortgage balance, and is cheaper.
Whole of life — guaranteed to pay out eventually, often used for inheritance-tax planning.
Over-50s plans — guaranteed-acceptance policies with smaller sums, mainly for funeral costs.
Leading UK life insurers
Legal & General is one of the largest life insurers in the UK, alongside Aviva UK, Scottish Widows, Royal London and Zurich UK Life. LV= and Vitality Health UK are well regarded for protection, with Vitality offering premium discounts linked to healthy living. Guardian 1821 focuses on modern, flexible protection with strong claims features.
What it costs
Premiums for a healthy non-smoker can start from as little as £7.50 a month for modest term cover, rising with age, cover amount, health and smoking status to £30 or more. Adding critical illness cover, increasing the sum assured, or choosing whole-of-life cover all raise the monthly cost. Buying earlier generally means paying less.
Protections and regulation
Life insurance is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Complaints can be escalated free to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS), and if an insurer fails, the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) protects 100% of a claim with no upper limit for long-term insurance. Answer medical questions fully and honestly, as non-disclosure is the most common reason a claim is challenged.
Common questions
How much cover do I need? A common guide is enough to clear the mortgage plus several years of income for dependants.
Should I write it in trust? Usually yes, it avoids inheritance tax on the payout and speeds up settlement.
Term or whole of life? Term suits most family and mortgage protection; whole of life suits estate planning.
Does my mortgage require it? Life insurance is not legally required for a mortgage, but lenders often recommend it so the loan is cleared if you die.
Are smokers charged more? Yes, smoking materially raises premiums, and insurers may test for nicotine, so honesty is essential to keep cover valid.
The cheapest Life Insurance in United Kingdom is £7.50 /month from Royal London.
Life Insurance in United Kingdom — FAQ
How much does life insurance cost in United Kingdom?
Giraffy tracks 5 life insurance products across Royal London,Legal & General,Zurich UK Life,Scottish Widows,Aviva UK insurers in United Kingdom. The lowest tracked monthly premium is £7.50 /month. Premiums vary significantly by age, health, cover amount, and policy type — a healthy non-smoker in their 30s can typically get a large sum of level term cover for a modest monthly premium. Compare quotes to see rates for your specific profile.
What is the difference between term life and whole-of-life insurance?
Term life insurance pays out only if you die within the policy term (e.g. 20 or 25 years) — premiums are lower and it suits protecting a mortgage or dependants during working years. Whole-of-life insurance guarantees a payout whenever you die, with higher premiums. Most people with dependants and a mortgage benefit most from term cover.
How much life insurance cover do I need?
A common starting point is 10× your annual income, or enough to pay off your mortgage plus 3–5 years of income replacement for your dependants. Consider: outstanding debts, partner's income, number of dependants, childcare costs, and funeral expenses. A financial adviser can model your specific needs.
What is the difference between level term and decreasing term life insurance?
Level term pays a fixed lump sum if you die during the term — suitable for covering a fixed obligation like family living costs. Decreasing term reduces in line with an outstanding debt (typically a repayment mortgage) — it's cheaper but pays less over time as it mirrors your reducing debt.
Can I get life insurance with a pre-existing medical condition?
Yes — most insurers will cover pre-existing conditions, but may charge a higher premium, exclude the specific condition from the payout, or add a postponement period. Using a specialist broker increases your chances of finding the right cover at the best price without unnecessary application declines.
Is the life insurance payout tax-free for my beneficiaries?
In many markets — including the UK and most GCC countries — life insurance payouts to named beneficiaries are exempt from income tax. However, the payout may form part of your estate for inheritance tax purposes. Writing your policy in trust removes it from your estate and speeds up the claims process significantly.