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Life Insurance for Business Owners UK

Life Insurance for Business Owners UK 2025

As a business owner, you are the engine of your enterprise. You invest countless hours, boundless energy, and unwavering passion into building something from the ground up. You are your company's most critical asset. But have you ever paused to consider what would happen to your business, your employees, and your family if you were no longer around to steer the ship?

It’s a thought that many prefer to avoid, yet facing it is one of the most responsible acts of leadership you can undertake. Standard personal life insurance is a vital starting point, but for a business owner, the web of financial responsibilities is far more complex. Your personal and professional finances are often deeply intertwined, creating unique risks that demand specialised solutions.

This guide is designed to be your definitive resource on life insurance for business owners in the UK. We will demystify the different types of cover available, explain how they work, and empower you to build a robust financial safety net that protects both the business you’ve built and the family you love.

Protecting your company and family with tailored cover

For the UK's 5.5 million private sector businesses, the owner is often the heart, brain, and soul of the operation. According to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) account for 99.9% of the business population. The loss of a key founder or director in one of these organisations isn't just a personal tragedy; it can be an existential threat to the company itself.

The sudden absence of a key individual can trigger a cascade of problems:

  • Lenders may call in loans, especially if you have provided a personal guarantee.
  • Key clients may lose confidence and take their business elsewhere.
  • Projects may stall, and operational momentum can be lost.
  • The remaining shareholders or your family may be forced into a fire sale of the business at a fraction of its true value.

This is where business protection insurance comes in. It's not a single product but a category of insurance policies specifically designed to provide a cash injection at a critical moment, allowing your business and your family the breathing space to make considered decisions, rather than ones driven by financial panic.

Think of it as a contingency plan funded by an insurer. It ensures that your legacy is one of stability and continuity, not chaos and debt.

Why Business Owners Need Specialist Protection

Many business owners believe their personal life insurance policy is sufficient. While it’s crucial for protecting your family’s mortgage and living costs, it does little to address the specific financial shocks a business will face upon your death or serious illness. Let's explore these vulnerabilities in more detail.

1. Ensuring Business Continuity

Who would step in to manage daily operations if you were gone? Who has the technical knowledge or client relationships to keep things running smoothly? Key Person Insurance provides a lump sum to the business, which can be used to:

  • Recruit a suitable replacement (a process that can be both lengthy and expensive).
  • Cover a temporary drop in profits while the new person gets up to speed.
  • Reassure clients, suppliers, and employees that the business is on a stable footing.

2. Clearing Business Debts

It’s common for businesses to carry debt, from commercial mortgages and start-up loans to director's loans and overdrafts. Often, these are secured with personal guarantees from the directors. Without a plan, your family’s personal assets, including the family home, could be at risk. Business Loan Protection is a policy designed specifically to pay off a named loan upon the death or critical illness of a business owner, removing this burden from both the company and your estate.

3. Facilitating a Smooth Ownership Transition

If you are in business with partners or co-directors, what happens to your shares when you die? Typically, they pass to your beneficiaries as part of your estate. Your family may have no interest or expertise in running the company and may prefer to have the cash value of the shares. Equally, your remaining business partners probably don’t want to be in business with your spouse or children.

Shareholder Protection provides the funds for the surviving owners to buy the deceased’s shares from their estate at a pre-agreed, fair market value. This ensures your family receives the money they are due, and the remaining owners retain full control of the business.

4. Protecting Your Family's Financial Future

As a director, your income is the lifeblood of your family's finances. If that income were to stop due to long-term illness or death, the impact would be devastating. While personal policies are vital, company-paid solutions like Executive Income Protection and Relevant Life Cover can provide this protection in a highly tax-efficient manner, often making it more affordable than personal cover alone.

A Real-Life Scenario:

Imagine two directors, Sarah and Tom, who run a successful architectural practice. They have a £300,000 business loan and are both integral to winning new projects. Tragically, Tom dies in a car accident. He had a personal life insurance policy, which paid off his mortgage, but no business protection.

The bank, nervous about the loss of a key director, reviews its lending and puts pressure on the business. Sarah struggles to manage the entire workload, and profits dip. Tom's shares pass to his husband, who needs money and wants to sell them. Sarah can’t afford to buy them, and a competitor makes a low-ball offer. The business Tom and Sarah built is now on the brink of collapse, and Tom's family receives far less than his shares were truly worth. A combination of Key Person, Business Loan, and Shareholder Protection would have prevented this entire catastrophe.

Key Types of Business Protection Insurance Explained

Navigating the world of business protection can seem daunting, but the core products are designed to solve specific, predictable problems. Let’s break them down.

Key Person Insurance

Also known as ‘key man insurance’, this is arguably the most fundamental form of business protection. It’s a life insurance and/or critical illness policy taken out by the business to protect itself against the financial impact of losing its most important people.

  • Who is a key person? Anyone whose absence would directly lead to a significant loss of profit. This could be a founder with the vision, a salesperson with the contacts, a developer with the technical skills, or a director who holds key relationships with lenders.
  • How it works: The business pays the premiums and is the policy's beneficiary. If the insured key person dies or is diagnosed with a specified critical illness, the tax-free lump sum is paid directly to the company. This cash can be used for whatever the business needs most: recruiting a replacement, clearing debts, or simply shoring up cash flow.
  • Tax Implications: In most cases, if the policy is genuinely for the sole benefit of the business (i.e., to cover a loss of profit), HMRC considers the premiums an allowable business expense, deductible against corporation tax. The payout is then typically treated as trading income.
FeatureKey Person Insurance
PurposeTo compensate the business for financial loss due to the death/illness of a key employee.
Who paysThe business.
Who benefitsThe business.
Typical UseCover lost profits, recruit a replacement, repay debt.
Tax TreatmentPremiums often tax-deductible; payout may be taxable.

Shareholder Protection Insurance (or Partnership Protection)

For any business with more than one owner, this is non-negotiable. It’s an arrangement that ensures a seamless and fair transfer of ownership if one owner dies or becomes seriously ill.

  • Why it's crucial: It prevents a "nightmare scenario" where the deceased's shares are inherited by someone who has no desire to be in the business, or worse, sells them to a competitor. It provides the surviving owners with the capital to buy the shares, maintaining control. Simultaneously, it guarantees a fair price for the departing owner's family, providing them with liquid cash instead of an illiquid business asset.
  • How it works: This is a two-part solution.
    1. Insurance Policies: Each shareholder takes out a life insurance policy on the lives of their fellow shareholders, often written into a trust.
    2. Cross-Option Agreement: This is a legal document that sits alongside the insurance. It sets out the terms of the sale. It gives the surviving shareholders the ‘option’ to buy the shares and gives the deceased's estate the ‘option’ to sell them. The insurance payout provides the funds to execute this agreement.
  • Example: A marketing agency is owned equally by three directors. They value the business at £1.5 million, meaning each director's share is worth £500,000. Each director takes out a £500,000 policy on the other two. If one dies, the two survivors receive the insurance payout and use it to purchase the shares from the deceased's family, as per their cross-option agreement.
FeatureShareholder Protection Insurance
PurposeTo provide funds for remaining owners to buy a deceased/ill owner's shares.
Who paysCan be the individuals or the business, depending on the structure.
Who benefitsThe remaining business owners (to buy the shares).
Associated DocumentA legal cross-option agreement is essential.
Key BenefitEnsures business continuity and a fair price for the departing owner's family.

Relevant Life Insurance

This is a fantastic, tax-efficient way for a limited company to provide death-in-service benefits for an employee or director. It is particularly valuable for small businesses that are not large enough to qualify for a full group life insurance scheme.

  • How it works: It’s a standalone, single-life policy paid for by the business. The key is that the policy is written into a discretionary trust from the outset. This means that upon death, the payout goes directly to the employee's nominated beneficiaries (e.g., their family). It does not get paid to the company and does not form part of the deceased’s estate, so it typically avoids probate delays and Inheritance Tax.
  • The Tax Advantages: This is where Relevant Life Cover truly shines.
    • Premiums paid by the company are generally treated as an allowable business expense, reducing your corporation tax bill.
    • It is not considered a P11D benefit-in-kind, so the employee pays no extra income tax or National Insurance.
    • The payout is almost always free of Inheritance Tax.

This makes it significantly more cost-effective than a director paying for personal life insurance out of their own post-tax income.

FeaturePersonal Life InsuranceRelevant Life Insurance
Who pays?The individual (from post-tax income)The limited company
Is the premium tax-deductible?NoYes (usually)
Is it a P11D benefit?N/ANo
Payout goes to?The estate or a trustA trust for the beneficiaries
Inheritance Tax liability?Yes (unless in trust)No (as it's in a trust)
Best for?Sole traders, partnersDirectors & employees of limited companies

Business Loan Protection

This is a specific type of policy designed to pay off a business liability, such as a commercial mortgage, venture capital loan, or director's loan, should a key person associated with that debt die or suffer a specified critical illness.

  • How it works: The level of cover is matched to the outstanding loan amount and is designed to decrease over time, in line with the capital repayments of the loan (similar to a personal decreasing term mortgage policy).
  • The Benefit: It protects the business from having a loan recalled by a lender. Crucially, it also protects any personal guarantees made by directors. If you have used your family home as security for a business loan, this policy ensures that your loved ones won't lose their home to repay a business debt.
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Protecting Yourself and Your Income: Cover for the Self-Employed and Directors

While the policies above protect the business entity, it’s just as important to protect your personal income stream. If you’re unable to work due to sickness or an accident, how will the bills get paid?

Executive Income Protection

This is the business-paid equivalent of a personal income protection policy. It’s an arrangement where your limited company pays the premiums for a policy that provides you with a replacement income if you can’t work.

  • How it works: The company pays the premium. If you make a claim, the benefit is paid to the company, which then continues to pay you a salary through the PAYE system.
  • The Tax Benefits: Like Relevant Life Cover, the premiums are usually an allowable business expense. This makes it a very tax-efficient way to secure your income compared to a personal plan.
  • For the Business: It's a powerful employee benefit that can help attract and retain top talent. It ensures that a key director can still be paid without draining company resources during a long-term absence.
  • For the Director: It provides peace of mind, knowing that your personal financial commitments are safe even if you can’t work.

Here at WeCovr, we often help directors and contractors navigate the differences between personal and executive income protection to find the most cost-effective and comprehensive solution for their unique circumstances.

Personal Income Protection for the Self-Employed

If you are a sole trader or part of a partnership, you don't have the option of a company-paid Executive Income Protection plan. For you, a Personal Income Protection policy isn't just a good idea—it's essential. You have no employer to provide sick pay; if you don't work, you don't earn.

  • How it works: You pay a monthly premium from your personal (post-tax) bank account. If you are unable to work due to illness or injury after a pre-agreed "deferred period" (e.g., 4, 13, or 26 weeks), the policy starts paying you a regular, tax-free monthly income. This continues until you can return to work, or the policy term ends.
  • Key Considerations:
    • Definition of Incapacity: The best policies use an 'own occupation' definition. This means the policy will pay out if you are unable to do your specific job, not just any job. This is critical for skilled professionals like surgeons, electricians, or consultants.
    • Deferred Period: The longer you can wait before the payments start, the lower your premium will be. Align this with any savings you have.
    • Level of Cover: You can typically cover up to 60-65% of your pre-tax earnings.

For tradespeople and those in riskier professions, shorter-term policies are sometimes referred to as Personal Sick Pay, designed to cover immediate bills and expenses during a period of incapacity.

Don't Forget Your Personal Cover: A Holistic Approach

It is vital to understand that business protection is a complement to, not a replacement for, your personal insurance. The two work together to create a complete financial shield.

  • Personal Life Insurance: This is for your family. It's designed to pay off the mortgage, cover university fees, and provide the funds for your loved ones to maintain their lifestyle without your income. This can be a lump sum (Level or Decreasing Term) or a regular income.
  • Critical Illness Cover: A 2023 report from Cancer Research UK highlighted that there are around 393,000 new cancer cases in the UK every year. A critical illness diagnosis can be financially devastating, even if you survive. Critical Illness Cover pays a tax-free lump sum on the diagnosis of a specified condition (like cancer, heart attack, or stroke). This money can be used for anything: to cover lost income, pay for private treatment, or adapt your home.
  • Family Income Benefit: This is a type of life insurance that, instead of paying a single lump sum, provides a regular, tax-free monthly or annual income to your family. It runs until the policy term ends. Many find this an easier and more affordable way to budget for their family's needs, as it directly replaces a lost monthly salary.

To get the most out of your protection policies, you need to understand two key concepts: trusts and tax. While this may seem complex, getting it right can save your family tens or even hundreds of thousands of pounds.

The Power of Trusts

A trust is a simple legal arrangement that allows you to nominate specific people (trustees) to look after your policy. When you place a life insurance policy in a trust, you are no longer the legal owner of it.

The benefits are immense:

  1. Avoids Probate: When you die, your assets are frozen until your executors obtain a legal document called probate. This can take months. A policy in a trust is not part of your estate, so the payout can be made to your beneficiaries much faster.
  2. Avoids Inheritance Tax (IHT): A large life insurance payout can inadvertently push the value of your estate over the IHT threshold (currently £325,000 per person). A policy in trust is not considered part of your estate for IHT purposes, meaning your family gets 100% of the payout, tax-free.
  3. Control: You can specify in the trust deed who you want to benefit and how, giving you control from beyond the grave.

Most insurance providers offer to place your policy into a standard trust for free when you take it out. It's a simple piece of paperwork with profound benefits.

A Note on Inheritance Tax (IHT) and Gifting

As a successful business owner, you may be thinking about estate planning and passing wealth to the next generation. If you make a large financial gift (a 'Potentially Exempt Transfer'), you must survive for seven years for that gift to be completely free of IHT. If you die within that seven-year window, the gift could be subject to IHT on a sliding scale.

A specialist policy called Gift Inter Vivos insurance can be used to cover this potential tax liability. It is a life insurance policy with a term of seven years, designed to pay out an amount equal to the potential tax bill if you die during that period, ensuring your beneficiaries receive the full value of your gift.

Practical Steps to Getting the Right Cover

Feeling overwhelmed? Don't be. Here is a clear, step-by-step process to securing the right protection.

  1. Assess Your Needs (Business & Personal): Start by asking the hard questions.
    • Business: How much business debt do you have? What would it cost to recruit your replacement? What is your share of the business worth?
    • Personal: What's your outstanding mortgage? How much income does your family need to live on each month? What future costs (e.g., education) do you need to plan for?
  2. Get Your Business Valued: For Shareholder Protection, a realistic and agreed-upon business valuation is essential. Your accountant can help you with this. It should be reviewed regularly.
  3. Involve Your Key Stakeholders: Business protection is a team decision. Discuss it openly with your co-directors, partners, and your accountant. For personal cover, have an honest conversation with your spouse or partner.
  4. Speak to an Expert Broker: The world of business protection is complex, and the tax rules are nuanced. A specialist independent broker like us at WeCovr can be invaluable. We don't just sell policies; we help you understand the intricate web of business and personal protection, comparing options from across the UK market to build a tailored strategy that's right for you.
  5. Review Your Cover Regularly: Protection is not a 'set and forget' product. Your needs will change. Plan to review your cover every 2-3 years, or after any major life event like getting married, having children, taking on a new business loan, or a significant change in the company's valuation.

The Added Value: Wellness Programmes and Support

In today's market, modern insurance policies offer so much more than just a financial payout. Insurers recognise that it’s in everyone’s best interest to help you stay healthy. Most top-tier life, critical illness, and income protection policies now come bundled with valuable support services, often at no extra cost.

These can include:

  • 24/7 Virtual GP Services: The ability to book a video consultation with a GP at a time that suits you, avoiding long waits at your local surgery.
  • Mental Health Support: Access to counselling sessions and mental health helplines.
  • Second Medical Opinions: If you're diagnosed with a serious illness, you can get access to world-leading specialists to review your diagnosis and treatment plan.
  • Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Support: Services to help you get back on your feet faster after an injury or operation.

At WeCovr, we believe in proactive health. We want to support our clients not just in times of crisis but in their everyday lives. That's why, in addition to finding you the best policy, we provide our customers with complimentary access to our AI-powered calorie tracking app, CalorieHero. It's our way of supporting your well-being journey, helping you make healthier choices to stay fitter for longer.

Conclusion: Your Business's Most Valuable Asset

As a business owner, you are adept at managing risk. You insure your premises, your equipment, and your stock. Yet, the most valuable and irreplaceable asset of all is you—and the other key people who drive your business forward.

Protecting yourself and your key people with tailored life insurance, critical illness cover, and income protection is not a business expense; it is a fundamental investment in your company's future. It is the ultimate contingency plan, providing the resources and stability needed to weather the storm of an unexpected tragedy.

By taking a holistic approach—protecting your business liabilities, your ownership structure, your income, and your family's future—you can build a legacy that endures. You secure the future of the enterprise you have worked so hard to create and, most importantly, provide unwavering security for the people who matter most.


Can I get business life insurance if I'm a sole trader?

While sole traders cannot take out policies like Relevant Life Cover or Shareholder Protection (as these are for limited companies), they absolutely need protection. The most vital policies for a sole trader are Personal Life Insurance, Critical Illness Cover, and especially Personal Income Protection. The latter is crucial as sole traders have no access to employer sick pay. A Business Loan Protection policy can also be taken out to cover any specific business loans you have.

Is business protection insurance tax-deductible?

It depends on the policy type and its structure. Generally:
  • Relevant Life Insurance & Executive Income Protection: Premiums are usually considered an allowable business expense and are deductible against corporation tax.
  • Key Person Insurance: Premiums are often tax-deductible if the policy's sole purpose is to cover a loss of profits for the business.
  • Shareholder Protection: Tax treatment can be complex. Often, premiums are not deductible.
It is essential to seek advice from your accountant and an insurance specialist to ensure your policies are set up in the most tax-efficient way for your specific circumstances.

What is a cross-option agreement?

A cross-option agreement is a legal document that works in tandem with Shareholder Protection insurance. It creates a binding framework for the transfer of shares upon a shareholder's death. It gives the surviving shareholders the 'option' to buy the deceased's shares, and it gives the deceased's estate the 'option' to sell the shares. The insurance policy provides the funds to make this transaction happen. This agreement prevents disputes and ensures a smooth, fair transition of ownership.

How much cover do I need?

The amount of cover depends entirely on what you are trying to protect.
  • For Loan Protection: The amount should match the outstanding debt.
  • For Shareholder Protection: The amount should match the value of each owner's shareholding.
  • For Key Person Cover: A common calculation is 2x gross profit or 5x net profit, but it can also be based on the cost of recruitment or a specific loan amount.
  • For Personal Cover: A general rule of thumb is 10x your annual income, plus any outstanding debts like your mortgage.
A specialist adviser can help you perform a detailed needs analysis to arrive at the correct figures for your situation.

Do I need a medical exam to get business life insurance?

Not always. For smaller amounts of cover and younger, healthier applicants, insurers can often make a decision based on the application form alone. However, for larger sums assured, older applicants, or those with pre-existing medical conditions, the insurer may request more information. This could include a report from your GP, a nurse screening, or a full medical examination. Being transparent and honest on your application is the most important thing.

What happens to my business protection policy if I sell the business?

If you sell the business, the need for business-specific policies like Key Person and Shareholder Protection typically ends. These policies can usually be cancelled. If a policy is a Relevant Life Cover or Executive Income Protection plan, there may be options to transfer it to a new employer or convert it to a personal policy, depending on the insurer and the specific policy terms. It's an important part of the exit process to review all existing protection arrangements.

Why life insurance and how does it work?

What is Life Insurance?

Life insurance is an insurance policy that can provide financial support for your loved ones when you or your joint policy holder passes away. It can help clear any outstanding debts, such as a mortgage, and cover your family's living and other expenses such costs of education, so your family can continue to pay bills and living expenses. In addition to life insurance, insurance providers offer related products such as income protection and critical illness, which we will touch upon below.

How does it work?

Life insurance pays out if you die. The payout can be in the form of a lump sum payment or can be paid as a replacement for a regular income. It's your decision how much cover you'd like to take based on your financial resources and how much you'd like to leave to your family to help them deal with any outstanding debts and living expenses. Your premium depends on a number of factors, including your occupation, health and other criteria.

The payout amount can change over time or can be fixed. A level term or whole of life policy offers a fixed payout. A decreasing term policy offers a payout that decreases over the term of the cover.

With critical illness policies, a payout is made if you’re diagnosed with a terminal illness with a remaining life expectancy of less than 12 months. While income protection policies ensure you can continue to meet your financial commitments if you are forced to take an extended break from work. If you can’t work because you’ve had an accident, fallen sick, or lost your job through no fault of your own, income protection insurance pays you an agreed portion of your salary each month.

Income protection is particularly helpful for people in dangerous occupations who want to be sure their mortgage will always be covered. Income protection only covers events beyond your control: you’re much less likely to be covered if you’re fired from your job or if you injure yourself deliberately.

Questions to ask yourself regarding life insurance

Just ask yourself:
👉 Who would pay your mortgage or rent if you were to pass away or fall seriously ill?
👉 Who would pay for your family’s food, clothing, study fees or lifestyle?
👉 Who would provide for the costs of your funeral or clear your debts?
👉 Who would pay for your costs if you're unable to work due to serious illness or disability?

Many families don’t realise that life, income protection and critical illness insurance is one of the most effective ways to protect their finances. A great insurance policy can cover costs, protect a family from inheriting debts and even pay off a mortgage.

Many would think that the costs for all the benefits provided by life insurance, income protection insurance or critical illness insurance are too high, but the great news is in the current market policies are actually very inexpensive.

Benefits offered by income protection, life and critical illness insurance

Life insurance, income protection and critical illness insurance are indispensable for every family because a child loses a parent every 22 minutes in the UK, while every single day tragically 60 people suffer major injuries on the UK roads. Some people become unable to work because of sickness or disability.

Life insurance cover pays out a lump sum to your family, loved ones or whomever you choose to get the money. This can be used to secure the financial future of your loved ones meaning they would not have to struggle financially in the event of your death.

If it's a critical illness cover, the payout happens sooner - upon diagnosis of a serious illness, disability or medical condition, easing the financial hardship such an event inevitably brings.

Income protection insurance can be very important for anyone who relies on a pay check to cover their living costs, but it's especially important if you’re self-employed or own a small business, where your employment and income is a bit less stable. It pays a regular income if you can't work because of sickness or disability and continues until you return to paid work or you retire.

In a world where 1 in 4 of us would struggle financially after just four weeks without work, the stark reality hits hard – a mere 7% of UK adults possess the vital shield of income protection. The urgency of safeguarding our financial well-being has never been more palpable.

Let's face it – relying on savings isn't a solution for everyone. Almost 25% of people have no savings at all, and a whopping 50% have £1,000 or less tucked away. Even more concerning, 51% of Brits – that's a huge 27 million people – wouldn't last more than one month living off their savings. That's a 10% increase from 2022.

And don't even think about state benefits being a safety net. The maximum you can expect from statutory sick pay is a mere £109.40 per week for up to 28 weeks. Not exactly a financial lifeline, right?

Now, let's tackle a common objection: "But I have critical illness insurance. I don't need income protection too." Here's the deal – the two policies apply to very different situations. In a nutshell:

  • Critical illness insurance pays a single lump sum if you're diagnosed with or undergo surgery for a specified potentially life-threatening illness. It's great for handling big one-off expenses or debts.
  • Income protection, on the other hand, pays a percentage of your salary as a regular payment if you can't work due to illness or injury. It's the superhero that tackles those relentless monthly bills.

Types of life insurance policies

Common reasons for getting a life insurance policy are to:
✅ Leave behind an amount of money to keep your family comfortable
✅ Protect the family home and pay off the mortgage in full or in part
✅ Pay for funeral costs

Starting from as little as a couple of pounds per week, you can do all that with a Life Policy.

Level Term Life Insurance
One of the simplest forms of life insurance, level term life insurance works by selecting a length of time for which you would want to be covered and then deciding how much you would like your loved ones to receive should the worst happen. Should your life insurance policy pay out to your family, it would be in a lump sum amount that can be used in whatever way the beneficiary may wish.

Decreasing Term Life Insurance
Decreasing term life insurance works in the same way as level term, except the lump sum payment amount upon death decreases with time. The common use for decreasing term life cover is to protect against mortgage repayment as the lump sum decreases along with the principal of the mortgage itself.

Increasing Term Life Insurance
Increasing term life insurance aims to pay out a cash sum growing each year if the worst happens while covered by the policy. With increasing term life cover amount insured increases annually by a fixed amount for the length of the policy. This can protect your policy's value against inflation, which could be advantageous if you’re looking to maintain your loved ones’ living standards, continue paying off your mortgage in line with its repayment schedule and cover your children’s education fees.

Whole of Life Insurance
Whereas term life insurance policies only pay out if you pass away during their term, whole of life insurance pays out to your beneficiaries whenever this should happen. The most common uses for whole life insurance are to cover the costs of a funeral or as a vehicle for your family's inheritance tax planning.

Family Income Benefit
Family income benefit is a somewhat lesser-known product in the family of life insurance products. Paying out a set amount every month of year to your beneficiaries, it is the most cost-effective way of maintaining your family's living standards to an age where you'd expect them to be able to support themselves financially. The most common use would be for a family with children who are not working yet so are unable to take care of themselves financially.

Relevant Life Insurance
Relevant Life Insurance is a tax-efficient policy for a director or single employee. A simple level term life insurance product, it is placed in a specific trust to ensure its tax efficiency. The premiums are tax deductible and any benefit payable should a claim arise is also paid out tax free, which makes it an attractive product for entrepreneurs and their businesses.

Important Fact!

There is no need to wait until the renewal of your current policy.
We can look at a more suitable option mid-term!

Why is it important to get life insurance early?

👉 Many people are very thankful that they had their life, income protection, and critical illness insurance cover in place before running into some serious issues. Critical illness and income protection insurance is as important as life insurance for protecting your family's finances.

👉 We insure our cars, houses, bicycles and even bags! Yet our life and health are the most precious things we have.

Easily one of the most important insurance purchases an individual or family can make in their lifetime, the decision to buy life, income protection, critical illness and private medical health insurance can be made much simpler with the help of FCA-authorised advisers. They are the specialists who do the searching and analysis helping people choose between various types of life insurance policies available in the market, including income protection, critical illness and other types of policies most suitable to the client's individual circumstances.

It certainly won't do any harm if you speak with one of our experienced FCA-authorised insurance partner experts who are passionate about advising people on financial matters related to life insurance and are keen to provide you with a free consultation.

You can discuss with them in detail what affordable life, income protection, critical illness or private medical health insurance plan for the necessary peace of mind they would recommend! WeCovr works with some of the best advisers in the market.

By tapping the button below, you can book a free call with them in less than 30 seconds right now:

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Life, income protection, and/or critical illness insurance are safety nets, very important at a difficult time. If anything happened to you before your cover ends, your life or critical illness insurance would pay a lump sum to your family and/or you (if you took a critical illness or income protection cover) to help cover the losses. Being diagnosed with a critical illness can be devastating, and it won't help matters to be also worrying about how you would cope financially. With a life, income protection, or critical illness policy, you can choose how much cover you need, how you want the policy to pay out, and whether you want cover for both you and your partner. Income protection insurance pays you a regular income if you can't work because of sickness or disability and continues until you return to paid work or you retire. Also known as permanent health insurance, it is quite important for anyone who relies on a paycheck to cover their living costs, but it's particularly important if you're self-employed or own a small business, where your income might be a bit less stable.

Life, income protection, and critical illness insurance pay out millions to families every day. Your expert will explain to you that you need to be honest and open when applying for your insurance.

If you're single with no dependants then it may be that you don't need life assurance. However, if you were to become seriously ill and unable to work, you may benefit from a critical illness or income protection policy. They can help you keep up to date with your rent, bills, food, and other expenses.

It's free to use WeCovr to find life, income protection, and critical illness insurance - we never charge you for quotes. Critical illness, income protection, and life insurance is an investment that pays many times over for you and/or your loved ones.

Life, income protection, and critical illness insurance are important financial products that insurance companies take a lot of care and diligence, so speaking to real human beings ensures that they understand your requirements fully so that you can get the right cover.

All of our partners are carefully vetted and authorised by the FCA, which means they are held to the highest standards that the FCA expects from them and treat all customers fairly!

Our insurance partners give us a few pounds when you take out a policy with one of their experts.

The cost of life insurance depends on several factors, including your age, occupation, health status, and the level of coverage you choose. Your life insurance policy is tailored to your needs, and the cost can vary based on the sum assured, policy term, and other factors.

Some life insurance policies offer an option to add critical illness cover as a rider or as a separate policy. This provides a lump sum payment if you are diagnosed with a critical illness covered by your policy, offering financial support during a difficult time.

Yes, life insurance is available to self-employed individuals to provide financial protection for their loved ones in the event of their death. It ensures that your family can maintain their standard of living and cover expenses such as mortgage payments, bills, and education costs.

If you outlive your life insurance policy and it expires without a claim, you will not receive any payout. Term life insurance policies are designed to provide coverage for a specific period, and once that period ends, the policy terminates without any residual value. However, you can typically renew or purchase a new policy if you still need coverage.

Critical illness insurance provides a lump sum payment if you're diagnosed with a serious illness covered by your policy, offering financial support during a difficult time. It can help cover medical expenses, mortgage payments, and other financial obligations while you focus on recovery.

Critical illness insurance covers a range of serious illnesses and medical conditions specified in your policy, such as cancer, heart attack, stroke, and organ failure. The lump sum payment can be used to cover medical treatment, ongoing care, and living expenses during your recovery.

The cost of critical illness insurance varies depending on factors such as your age, health status, lifestyle, and the level of coverage you choose. Our experts can provide personalised quotes to help you find affordable coverage.

Yes, you can have critical illness insurance alongside your health insurance coverage. Critical illness insurance provides additional financial protection specifically for serious illnesses, complementing your health insurance benefits.

Critical illness insurance policies typically have exclusions for pre-existing conditions and certain medical conditions not covered by the policy. It's essential to review the terms and conditions of your policy to understand what is and isn't covered.

Some critical illness insurance policies may provide coverage for recurring illnesses, while others may not. It's crucial to review the policy terms and understand the specific conditions under which you can make additional claims for recurring illnesses. Your insurer can provide more details on their coverage for recurring critical illnesses.

Yes, you can customise your life insurance policy to suit your individual needs and circumstances. Options may include choosing the sum assured, policy term, premium payment frequency, and additional riders for enhanced coverage.

If you miss a premium payment for your life insurance policy, your coverage may lapse, and your policy could be terminated. However, many insurers offer a grace period during which you can make the payment to keep your policy active. It's essential to contact your insurer to discuss your options if you're unable to make a payment.

Yes, you can typically change the beneficiary of your life insurance policy at any time by completing a beneficiary change form provided by your insurer. It's essential to keep your beneficiary designation up to date to ensure that the proceeds are distributed according to your wishes.

Term life insurance provides cover for a fixed period, such as 10, 20 or 30 years, and pays out a lump sum if you die during that time. It’s often chosen to protect a mortgage or to provide financial support while dependants still rely on your income. Whole-of-life insurance is designed to last for the rest of your life and guarantees a payout whenever you die, as long as premiums are maintained. It’s usually more expensive than term insurance and is sometimes used to help with inheritance tax planning or to leave a guaranteed legacy.

Some term life insurance policies offer the option to convert to a whole life insurance policy without the need for a medical exam or new underwriting. This conversion feature allows you to maintain coverage beyond the term of your policy and provides lifelong protection.

Some life insurance policies offer accelerated death benefits or living benefits that allow you to access a portion of the death benefit if you are diagnosed with a terminal illness. This feature provides financial assistance to help cover medical expenses and other costs during your final months.

While having savings can provide a financial cushion during tough times, income protection insurance offers additional security by replacing a portion of your income if you're unable to work due to illness or disability. It ensures that you can maintain your standard of living and cover essential expenses even if your savings are depleted.

Yes, self-employed individuals can claim income protection insurance if they're unable to work due to illness or disability. Income protection provides a regular income stream to replace lost earnings, helping self-employed individuals cover their living expenses and business costs during periods of incapacity.

The waiting period, also known as the elimination period, is the length of time you must wait after becoming unable to work due to illness or disability before you can start receiving benefits from your income protection insurance policy. Waiting periods typically range from 30 to 90 days, but longer waiting periods may result in lower premiums.

Income protection insurance is designed to provide financial support if you're unable to work due to illness or disability, not for redundancy. However, some policies may offer optional redundancy cover or unemployment cover as an additional benefit, providing a lump sum or monthly payments if you're made redundant.

The tax treatment of income protection insurance benefits depends on whether the premiums were paid with pre-tax or after-tax dollars. Benefits from policies funded with after-tax dollars are typically tax-free, while benefits from policies funded with pre-tax dollars may be subject to income tax. It's essential to consult with a tax advisor to understand the tax implications of your income protection insurance benefits.

Income protection insurance provides a regular income stream if you're unable to work due to illness or disability, while critical illness insurance provides a lump sum payment if you're diagnosed with a covered critical illness, such as cancer, heart attack, or stroke. Critical illness insurance offers financial support to cover medical expenses, living costs, or other obligations during your recovery.

Income protection insurance policies typically have a waiting period (also known as an elimination period) during which you do not receive benefits. If you become unable to work before this waiting period ends, you will not receive any income protection benefits until the waiting period has elapsed. It's important to have sufficient savings or other financial resources to cover your expenses during this initial period.

Many income protection insurance policies allow you to increase your coverage amount if your income rises, without the need for additional underwriting or medical examinations. This feature, sometimes called a 'guaranteed insurability option,' ensures that your coverage keeps pace with your increasing income and financial obligations.

The maximum age to purchase critical illness insurance varies depending on the insurer and the specific policy. While some insurers may offer critical illness insurance up to age 70 or beyond, others may have lower age limits. It's essential to check with insurers to determine their age eligibility criteria for purchasing critical illness insurance.

Whether you can get critical illness insurance if you have pre-existing conditions depends on the insurer's underwriting guidelines and the specific medical conditions. Some insurers may offer coverage with exclusions for pre-existing conditions, while others may decline coverage altogether. It's essential to disclose any pre-existing conditions when applying for critical illness insurance and discuss your options with insurers.

While health insurance provides coverage for medical expenses, critical illness insurance offers financial protection for broader expenses associated with a serious illness, such as lost income, household bills, and lifestyle changes. Critical illness insurance complements health insurance by providing additional financial support during a challenging time, ensuring that you can focus on recovery without worrying about financial burdens.

If you don't make a claim on your critical illness insurance during the policy term, you won't receive a benefit payout. However, having critical illness insurance provides peace of mind knowing that you're financially protected if you're diagnosed with a covered critical illness during the policy term. It's a form of financial preparation for unexpected events and offers valuable protection for you and your family.

If you outlive your critical illness insurance policy and don't make a claim for a covered critical illness during the policy term, the coverage will expire, and you won't receive a benefit payout. Critical illness insurance provides financial protection for a specific period, typically until a specified age or policy term, and offers peace of mind knowing that you're prepared for the unexpected.

Yes, many insurers offer optional riders or add-ons that you can add to your critical illness insurance policy for enhanced coverage. Common riders may include waiver of premium, which waives future premium payments if you become disabled, or return of premium, which refunds a portion of your premiums if you don't make a claim during the policy term. It's essential to review available riders with insurers to customise your coverage to meet your specific needs.

To make a claim on your critical illness insurance policy, you'll need to notify your insurer of your diagnosis and submit a claim form along with any required medical documentation, such as medical reports, test results, and physician statements. Once your claim is reviewed and approved by the insurer, you'll receive the lump sum benefit payment, which you can use to cover medical expenses, living costs, or other financial needs during your recovery.

As we age, the likelihood of encountering health complications increases for us all. In the event that you develop a severe medical condition, critical illness protection can assist with the expenses of crucial bills – enabling you to concentrate on recuperation or adjusting to your new health circumstance.

The typical expense of a Critical Illness protection policy will fluctuate based on aspects such as your age and medical background. As per our investigation, you can secure a policy starting from as low as £8 (for a non-smoking 21-year-old individual).

The most prevalent critical illnesses in the UK are cancer, cardiac arrest, and cerebrovascular accident (stroke).

Cancer is one of the primary causes for critical illness insurance claims in the UK. Cancer constitutes over 80% of critical illness cover claims for females and about 45% of critical illness claims for males.


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Important Information

Since 2011, WeCovr has helped thousands of individuals, families, and businesses protect what matters most. We make it easy to get quotes for life insurance, critical illness cover, private medical insurance, and a wide range of other insurance types. We also provide embedded insurance solutions tailored for business partners and platforms.

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About WeCovr

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