TL;DR
Term life insurance is often cheaper than people expect. In April 2026, Which? found the average of the five cheapest quotes for £200,000 of level term cover over 25 years was £8.20 a month for a 31-year-old non-smoker and £16.20 at 41, rising to £41.88 at 51.
Key takeaways
- A healthy 31-year-old non-smoker could get £200,000 of level term cover for around £8 a month (Which?, April 2026).
- Premiums roughly double with each decade of age at the start of the policy.
- Smokers can pay around twice as much as non-smokers.
- Decreasing term cover, often used for a repayment mortgage, is cheaper than level term.
- Premiums are normally fixed for the whole term once the policy starts.
Average Cost of Term Life Insurance UK: Prices by Age (2026)
Term life insurance pays a lump sum if you die during a set period, such as 25 years. It is the simplest and usually cheapest kind of life cover, and premiums are normally fixed for the whole term once your policy starts.
Average term life insurance prices by age
In April 2026, consumer group Which? published average prices, using the five cheapest quotes for each age. The quotes were for £200,000 of level term cover over 25 years for a non-smoker.
| Age when cover starts | Average monthly premium |
|---|---|
| 23 | £6.04 |
| 31 | £8.20 |
| 41 | £16.20 |
| 51 | £41.88 |
| 61 | £122.45 |
Source: Which?, April 2026, based on quotes from insurers including Aviva, Guardian, Legal & General, Royal London, Scottish Widows, Vitality Life and Zurich.
Two patterns stand out. Premiums roughly double with each decade of age, and buying earlier locks in a lower price for the whole term. For the same research, a 41-year-old smoker was quoted around £35.62 a month, more than twice the non-smoker price.
What decides the price of term life insurance
Age
The younger you are when the policy starts, the lower the premium. Because the price is usually fixed, starting a policy earlier can save a lot over the term.
Smoking and vaping
Smokers usually pay around twice as much. Many insurers also treat vaping and nicotine replacement as smoking. You usually need to have stopped for at least 12 months to be treated as a non-smoker.
Health and family history
Conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, a high BMI or a history of cancer or heart problems can increase the premium or lead to exclusions. Some insurers also ask about close family history.
The amount of cover and the term
More cover and a longer term both cost more. The guide to how much life insurance you need explains how to work out a sensible amount.
Level or decreasing cover
- Level term: the payout stays the same throughout. Common for protecting a family's income.
- Decreasing term: the payout reduces over time, roughly in line with a repayment mortgage. In the Which? research, decreasing term at age 31 was about £6.85 a month compared with £8.20 for level term.
See level vs decreasing term life insurance.
Single or joint
A joint policy covers two people and usually pays out once, on the first death. It can be cheaper than two single policies, but two single policies pay out twice. See joint life insurance.
Occupation and hobbies
Hazardous jobs or activities, such as working at height, offshore work or motor racing, can increase the price.
Adding critical illness cover
Adding critical illness cover, which pays out on diagnosis of a specified serious illness, usually costs considerably more than life cover alone. See life insurance with critical illness cover.
Does life insurance pay out?
According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI) and Group Risk Development (GRiD), 97.9% of individual protection claims were paid in 2025. Insurers paid £4.03 billion in life insurance claims, with 96.7% of new life claims paid. The most common reason for a claim being declined is that relevant information was not disclosed when the policy was taken out, so answer application questions fully and accurately.
How to keep the cost down
- Start sooner. The premium is usually fixed for the term, so the age at which you start matters most.
- Choose the right amount of cover rather than a round number.
- Match the term to when your dependants will be financially independent or your mortgage is repaid.
- Consider decreasing cover if the main aim is to repay a mortgage.
- Stop smoking. After 12 months, you may be able to apply at non-smoker rates.
- Write the policy in trust. This doesn't change the premium, but it can mean the payout reaches your beneficiaries faster and may keep it outside your estate for inheritance tax. See putting life insurance in trust.
Get a life insurance quote
WeCovr is an FCA-regulated broking firm. Get a quote through WeCovr, and a specialist from WeCovr or one of its broker partners will help you compare term life insurance from a range of UK insurers and choose the type and amount of cover that fits your circumstances. Brokers are usually paid a commission by the insurer when a policy is arranged.
You can also estimate how much cover you need with the life insurance calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much is life insurance per month in the UK?
How much is £100,000 of life insurance?
Does the price of term life insurance go up?
Is term life insurance cheaper than whole of life?
Sources
- Which?: "More people are looking for affordable life insurance, but what does it actually cost?", April 2026
- Association of British Insurers and Group Risk Development: protection claims figures for 2025, published June 2026
Important Information and Risks
No advice: This article is for general information only. It is not financial, legal, insurance, or tax advice, and it is not a personal recommendation. WeCovr does not assess your individual circumstances or recommend a specific product through this article.
Policy exclusions and underwriting: Insurance policies, including life insurance, private medical insurance, critical illness cover, and income protection, are subject to insurer underwriting, eligibility, acceptance criteria, terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions. Pre-existing medical conditions may be excluded, restricted, or accepted on special terms unless an insurer confirms otherwise in writing.
Tax treatment: References to tax treatment, HMRC rules, or business reliefs are based on current UK legislation and guidance, which can change. Tax treatment depends on your personal or business circumstances and may differ from examples in this article.
Before you buy: Always read the Insurance Product Information Document (IPID), policy summary, and full policy terms before buying, renewing, changing, or keeping cover. If you are unsure whether a policy is suitable for you, speak to an insurance adviser.
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