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Whole of Life Insurance for Inheritance Tax Planning UK

WeCovr Editorial Team · experienced insurance advisers
Last updated Feb 20, 2026
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TL;DR

Inheritance Tax (IHT) is often called a 'voluntary tax' by financial experts, but for a growing number of UK families, it feels anything but optional. With frozen tax-free allowances and rising property values, more estates than ever are being caught in the IHT net. Indeed, the latest figures from UK public and industry sources and Customs (HMRC) reveal that IHT receipts reached a record £7.5 billion in the 2023/24 tax year.

Key takeaways

  • Calculate Your Liability: You first estimate your potential Inheritance Tax bill based on the value of your assets (property, savings, investments) minus your tax-free allowances.
  • Take Out a Policy: You then take out a Whole of Life insurance policy for an amount equal to your estimated IHT liability.
  • Write it in Trust: This is the most crucial step. The policy is placed into a legally binding arrangement called a Trust. This action separates the policy from your personal estate.
  • The Payout: Upon your death, the policy pays out the lump sum directly to the Trust.
  • Pay the Tax Bill: Your chosen trustees can then use this money to pay the IHT bill due to HMRC. Because the funds are in a Trust, they are available quickly and are not subject to the lengthy probate process or, most importantly, IHT themselves.

Inheritance Tax (IHT) is often called a 'voluntary tax' by financial experts, but for a growing number of UK families, it feels anything but optional. With frozen tax-free allowances and rising property values, more estates than ever are being caught in the IHT net.

Indeed, the latest figures from UK public and industry sources and Customs (HMRC) reveal that IHT receipts reached a record £7.5 billion in the 2023/24 tax year. This upward trend underscores a critical reality: without careful planning, a significant portion of the wealth you’ve worked a lifetime to build could be handed over to the taxman instead of your loved ones. (illustrative estimate)

Fortunately, there is a highly effective, legitimate, and straightforward strategy to address this: Whole of Life insurance. This guide will explore how this powerful financial tool can be used to provide a tax-free lump sum to cover a future IHT bill, ensuring your legacy is passed on intact.

How to use permanent cover for estate planning

The core concept is brilliantly simple. A Whole of Life insurance policy is a type of permanent life cover that guarantees to pay out a lump sum whenever you die, as long as you have kept up with your monthly premiums.

For estate planning, the strategy works like this:

  1. Calculate Your Liability: You first estimate your potential Inheritance Tax bill based on the value of your assets (property, savings, investments) minus your tax-free allowances.
  2. Take Out a Policy: You then take out a Whole of Life insurance policy for an amount equal to your estimated IHT liability.
  3. Write it in Trust: This is the most crucial step. The policy is placed into a legally binding arrangement called a Trust. This action separates the policy from your personal estate.
  4. The Payout: Upon your death, the policy pays out the lump sum directly to the Trust.
  5. Pay the Tax Bill: Your chosen trustees can then use this money to pay the IHT bill due to HMRC. Because the funds are in a Trust, they are available quickly and are not subject to the lengthy probate process or, most importantly, IHT themselves.

The result? Your beneficiaries inherit your entire estate as you intended, with the tax liability neatly settled by the insurance policy. It's a clean, efficient, and predictable way to protect your legacy.

Understanding Inheritance Tax (IHT) in the UK

To appreciate the value of Whole of Life insurance, it's essential to grasp the basics of Inheritance Tax. IHT is a tax on the 'estate' of someone who has died, which includes their property, money, and possessions.

The key components for 2025 are:

  • Nil-Rate Band (NRB) (illustrative): Every individual has a tax-free allowance of £325,000. Your estate will not pay any IHT on the first £325,000 of its value. This threshold has been frozen since 2009 and is expected to remain so until at least 2028, a factor known as 'fiscal drag' which pulls more estates into the tax net over time.

  • Residence Nil-Rate Band (RNRB) (illustrative): An additional allowance of £175,000 is available if you pass your main home to your children, grandchildren, or other direct descendants. This means a qualifying individual could have a total tax-free allowance of £500,000.

  • Transferable Allowances (illustrative): Spouses and civil partners can transfer any unused NRB and RNRB to the surviving partner. This means a married couple could potentially pass on up to £1 million tax-free (£325k + £175k from the first partner, plus £325k + £175k for the second partner).

  • The IHT Rate: Any part of your estate valued above your combined allowances is typically taxed at a flat rate of 40%.

Let's look at the potential allowances for an individual and a couple.

Allowance TypeIndividualMarried Couple / Civil Partners (Combined)
Nil-Rate Band (NRB)£325,000£650,000
Residence Nil-Rate Band (RNRB)£175,000£350,000
Total Potential Allowance£500,000£1,000,000

The 40% tax rate can have a substantial impact. For an estate worth £1.5 million, with full allowances of £1 million used, the remaining £500,000 would face a tax bill of £200,000. This is a significant sum that must be paid before your beneficiaries can receive their inheritance. (illustrative estimate)

What is Whole of Life Insurance?

Whole of Life insurance is distinct from the more commonly known 'term' life insurance. Understanding the difference is key to its application in estate planning.

  • Term Life Insurance: Provides cover for a fixed period (e.g., 20 or 25 years). It pays out if you die within that term. It’s primarily designed to cover temporary needs, like paying off a mortgage or protecting your family while your children are financially dependent. If you outlive the term, the policy ends and there is no payout.

  • Whole of Life Insurance: As the name suggests, this policy covers you for your entire life. As long as you maintain your premium payments, a payout upon your death is a certainty. It's a case of when it will pay out, not if. This certainty is what makes it the ideal instrument for settling a certain future liability like an IHT bill.

There are two main types of Whole of Life policies, each with different premium structures:

Policy TypePremium StructureBest ForKey Consideration
Guaranteed PremiumsFixed from day one and will never change.Those who value budget certainty and want no future surprises.Premiums are higher from the start compared to reviewable options.
Reviewable PremiumsLower initial premiums, but they are reviewed by the insurer every 5 or 10 years.Younger individuals who may have less disposable income now but expect it to grow.Premiums can, and often do, increase significantly at review points, potentially becoming unaffordable later in life.

Choosing between guaranteed and reviewable premiums is a critical decision. While reviewable premiums are tempting due to their lower initial cost, the risk of steep increases in your 70s or 80s, when your income may be fixed, can be substantial. Guaranteed premiums offer complete peace of mind, though at a higher initial price.

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The Crucial Role of a Trust

Simply buying a Whole of Life policy isn't enough for effective IHT planning. The single most important step is to place the policy into a Trust.

Why is a Trust so vital?

Without a Trust, the lump sum payout from the life insurance policy is legally considered part of your estate. This means it would be added to your other assets, potentially increasing the value of your estate and, ironically, increasing the very IHT bill it was designed to pay.

How does a Trust work?

A Trust is a simple legal arrangement that separates the ownership of the policy from you.

  • The Settlor: This is you, the person taking out the policy.
  • The Trustees: These are people you appoint (often family members, a solicitor, or a trusted friend) to manage the Trust.
  • The Beneficiaries: These are the people you want to benefit from the policy payout (e.g., your children).

By writing the policy in Trust, the payout goes directly to the trustees for the benefit of your beneficiaries. It completely bypasses your estate and the probate process.

Key Benefits of Using a Trust:

  1. Avoids IHT on the Payout: The lump sum is not part of your taxable estate.
  2. Avoids Probate: Probate is the legal process of validating a will, which can take many months. An IHT bill is typically due within six months of death. A Trust gives your beneficiaries access to the funds almost immediately, allowing them to pay the tax bill on time without needing to sell family assets under pressure.
  3. Maintains Control: You specify who the beneficiaries are, ensuring the money goes exactly where you intend.

Insurers make this process very straightforward. In most cases, the trust forms are provided free of charge when you set up your policy. At WeCovr, we guide every client through this essential step to ensure their policy is structured for maximum tax efficiency.

Calculating Your Potential IHT Liability and Cover Amount

To determine how much Whole of Life cover you need, you must first perform a "dummy" IHT calculation on your estate.

Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Value Your Estate List all your worldwide assets and assign a realistic current market value.

  • Property: Your main home, buy-to-let properties, holiday homes.
  • Savings & Investments: Cash in bank accounts, ISAs, stocks and shares, unit trusts.
  • Personal Possessions: Cars, art, antiques, jewellery.
  • Other Assets: Payouts from any life insurance policies not written in trust, death-in-service benefits from your employer (unless directed to a separate trust).

Step 2: Deduct Liabilities Subtract any outstanding debts.

  • Mortgages and loans.
  • Credit card bills.
  • Funeral expenses (an estimate is fine).

The result is your 'Net Estate'.

Step 3: Apply Your Allowances Subtract your available Nil-Rate Bands (NRB and RNRB). For a couple, the calculation is usually performed on the second death, assuming all assets and allowances pass to the surviving spouse first.

Step 4: Calculate the Tax The remaining value is your 'Taxable Estate'. Apply the 40% IHT rate to this figure to find your potential IHT bill. This is the amount of Whole of Life cover you should consider.

Real-Life Example: David and Sarah

Let's imagine a married couple, David and Sarah, both aged 60. They want to ensure their two children can inherit their estate without a crippling tax bill.

AssetValueNotes
Family Home£850,000Jointly owned.
Savings & ISAs£300,000Combined savings.
Share Portfolio£200,000Investments held.
Cars & Possessions£50,000Estimated value.
Total Gross Estate£1,400,000
Mortgage(£100,000)Outstanding balance.
Total Net Estate£1,300,000

IHT Calculation (on second death):

  1. Net Estate (illustrative): £1,300,000
  2. Deduct Combined Allowances:
    • Illustrative estimate: Combined NRB (£325k x 2): £650,000
    • Illustrative estimate: Combined RNRB (£175k x 2): £350,000
    • Total Allowances (illustrative): £1,000,000
  3. Taxable Estate (illustrative): £1,300,000 - £1,000,000 = £300,000
  4. IHT Bill (illustrative): £300,000 x 40% = £120,000

To cover this liability, David and Sarah could take out a joint-life, second-death Whole of Life policy for £120,000. This type of policy is specifically designed for IHT planning and only pays out after the second partner dies, which is when the tax bill becomes due. Because it's a 'second death' policy, the premiums are significantly cheaper than two single policies. (illustrative estimate)

By placing this policy in trust for their children, the £120,000 payout would be used to settle the tax bill, allowing the children to inherit the full £1.3 million estate. (illustrative estimate)

Whole of Life Insurance for Business Owners and Directors

Estate planning presents unique challenges and opportunities for company directors, freelancers, and the self-employed. Your business is often your most significant asset, and its value can create a substantial IHT liability.

Relevant Life Policies & Executive Protection

While a standard Relevant Life Policy is a form of death-in-service benefit designed to protect an employee's family, the principles can be adapted. A business can, in certain circumstances, pay for a director's Whole of Life policy. This is known as an 'Executive Insurance Plan'. The premiums are typically treated as a business expense for the company and a P11D/Benefit-in-Kind for the director. While not directly saving tax, it's a way of funding personal estate planning through the business.

This is a complex area requiring specialist advice, as the tax treatment depends on the specifics of the arrangement. However, it's a powerful option for extracting value from a company to fund personal IHT planning.

Gift Inter Vivos Insurance

For business owners planning their succession, gifting company shares to the next generation is a common strategy. However, these gifts are considered 'Potentially Exempt Transfers' (PETs). If you die within seven years of making the gift, its value falls back into your estate for IHT purposes.

Gift Inter Vivos insurance is the perfect solution here. It's a specific type of term insurance policy designed to cover this tapering IHT liability. The policy amount reduces over the seven-year period in line with the tapering tax bill, providing a cost-effective safety net.

Key Person Insurance vs. IHT Planning

It's vital not to confuse personal IHT planning with business protection.

  • Key Person Insurance: Protects the business from the financial impact of losing a key individual. The payout goes to the company.
  • Whole of Life for IHT: Protects the director's family from the tax bill on their personal estate. The payout goes to the family via a trust.

A comprehensive review with an expert broker like WeCovr can help business owners structure a holistic protection plan covering both their business and personal succession needs.

The Application and Underwriting Process

Applying for Whole of Life insurance is a detailed but manageable process. Insurers need to accurately assess the risk they are taking on.

  1. Quotation: The initial step involves providing basic details: your age, smoking status, the amount of cover you need, and the type of policy (e.g., single or joint life, guaranteed or reviewable premiums).
  2. Application: You will complete a detailed application form. Be prepared to answer questions about your:
    • Medical History: Past and present conditions, treatments, and medications.
    • Lifestyle: Alcohol consumption, recreational drug use, and high-risk hobbies.
    • Family Medical History: Incidences of serious conditions like heart disease, cancer, or stroke in your immediate family.
    • Full and honest disclosure is paramount. Failing to disclose relevant information can invalidate your policy, meaning your family would receive nothing.
  3. Underwriting: This is the insurer's risk assessment process. They will review your application and may request further information, such as a report from your GP or a mini-medical examination (usually only for very large cover amounts or if you have a complex medical history).
  4. Decision: The insurer will then issue their terms. Possible outcomes include:
    • Standard Rates: Your application is accepted at the quoted price.
    • Premium Loading: Your premium is increased to reflect a higher risk (e.g., due to a pre-existing condition or high BMI).
    • Exclusions: The policy is accepted, but specific conditions are excluded from cover.
    • Decline: In rare cases, if the risk is deemed too high, the insurer may decline to offer cover.

Navigating this process can be daunting, especially if you have health concerns. This is where an independent broker adds immense value. At WeCovr, we have deep experience with all the major UK insurers and their underwriting preferences. We can position your application to the most suitable provider, helping you secure the best possible terms.

The Pros and Cons of Whole of Life for IHT Planning

Like any financial product, Whole of Life insurance has both advantages and disadvantages. A balanced view is essential.

Pros 👍Cons 👎
Guaranteed Payout: A payout is certain, perfectly matching the certainty of an IHT bill on death.Higher Cost: Premiums are significantly more expensive than term insurance.
Tax-Efficient: When written in trust, the payout is free from Inheritance Tax.Lifelong Commitment: Premiums must be paid for the rest of your life. Failure to pay will cause the policy to lapse with no value.
Peace of Mind: Provides certainty that your IHT liability will be covered, protecting your family's inheritance.Risk of Reviewable Premiums: If you choose a reviewable policy, premiums can become unaffordable in later life.
Quick Access to Funds: A trust bypasses probate, giving beneficiaries fast access to cash to pay the tax bill.Inflexibility: The policy is designed for one purpose. Unlike an investment, you cannot access the cash for other needs.
Financial Discipline: The regular premium forces a disciplined approach to providing for a future tax bill.Legislative Risk: IHT laws could change in the future, potentially reducing or eliminating the need for the cover.

Alternative IHT Planning Strategies

Whole of Life insurance is a cornerstone of IHT planning, but it works best as part of a wider strategy. Here are other methods to consider:

  • Gifting (illustrative): You can gift up to £3,000 each tax year without it being added to your estate. You can also make unlimited small gifts of up to £250 per person. Larger gifts are 'Potentially Exempt Transfers' (PETs) and fall outside your estate if you live for seven years after making them.
  • Pensions: Defined contribution pension pots are one of the most IHT-efficient assets. They are typically held in a trust wrapper, meaning they sit outside your estate and can be passed on to beneficiaries, often tax-free.
  • Business Relief (BR): Shares in certain unlisted trading companies or those listed on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) can qualify for 100% Business Relief from IHT once they have been held for two years.
  • Charitable Giving: If you leave at least 10% of your net estate to a registered charity, the IHT rate on the rest of your estate is reduced from 40% to 36%.
  • Family Income Benefit: This is another type of life insurance. Instead of a lump sum, it pays out a regular, tax-free monthly or annual income to your family for the remainder of the policy term, which can help them manage ongoing expenses.

A well-rounded estate plan often combines several of these strategies. For example, you might use gifting to reduce the size of your estate over time, while a Whole of Life policy provides a backstop to cover the remaining liability.

Wellbeing and Longevity: Maximising Your Healthspan

Your health has a direct impact on your life insurance premiums. A healthier lifestyle, lower BMI, and being a non-smoker will always result in a more affordable policy. But beyond the financial benefits, investing in your health is about maximising your 'healthspan' – the number of years you live in good health.

  • Balanced Diet: A Mediterranean-style diet, rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and healthy fats like olive oil, has been consistently linked to better cardiovascular health and longevity.
  • Regular Activity: The NHS recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity (like brisk walking or cycling) or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity (like running or tennis) a week.
  • Quality Sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night. Good sleep hygiene – like a consistent bedtime, a dark room, and avoiding screens before bed – is crucial for physical and mental regeneration.
  • Stress Management: Chronic stress can negatively impact your health. Practices like mindfulness, meditation, yoga, or simply spending time in nature can be highly effective at managing stress levels.

At WeCovr, we believe in supporting our clients' overall wellbeing. It's why we go a step further than just finding the right policy. As a WeCovr client, you get complimentary access to our AI-powered calorie tracking app, CalorieHero. This tool can help you make informed decisions about your nutrition, supporting you on your journey to better health and, in turn, a more secure future for you and your family.

How WeCovr Can Help

Navigating the complexities of Inheritance Tax and Whole of Life insurance can feel overwhelming. As expert, independent brokers, our role is to make this process simple, clear, and effective for you.

  • Expert Advice: We start by helping you understand your potential IHT liability and calculate the precise amount of cover you need.
  • Market Comparison: We are not tied to any single insurer. We compare policies from all the UK's leading providers to find the one that offers the best terms and value for your specific circumstances.
  • Trust Guidance: We will guide you through the essential process of writing your policy in trust, ensuring it delivers the tax-efficiency and peace of mind you need.
  • Application Support: We assist you with the application process, ensuring it's completed accurately to give you the best chance of securing favourable terms, especially if you have existing health conditions.
  • Long-Term Partnership: We are here for the long term, ready to review your cover as your life circumstances change.

Our goal is to provide a solution that protects your legacy and gives you the confidence that your loved ones will be taken care of, just as you intended.

What happens if I can no longer afford the Whole of Life premiums?

This is a significant risk, particularly with reviewable premium policies. If you stop paying your premiums, the policy will lapse, and you will lose all the cover. There is typically no surrender value on modern protection-focused policies. This is why it's crucial to choose a premium level (preferably guaranteed) that you are confident you can afford for the long term, even into retirement.

Are the premiums for Whole of Life insurance tax-deductible?

For a personal Whole of Life policy taken out for IHT planning, the premiums are paid from your post-tax income and are not tax-deductible. If a policy is set up as an 'Executive Insurance Plan' through your limited company, the company may be able to treat the premiums as a business expense, but you as the director will likely be taxed on it as a benefit-in-kind.

Can I get a joint Whole of Life policy with my partner?

Yes. For IHT planning, the most common and cost-effective option is a 'joint-life, second-death' policy. This covers two lives but only pays out after the second person has died. This aligns perfectly with how IHT typically works for couples, as the tax is usually only triggered on the second death after all assets and transferable allowances have passed to the surviving partner.

Do I need to have a medical examination to get cover?

Not always. For many people, cover can be arranged based on the answers provided on the application form and, if necessary, a report from your GP. However, for older applicants, very high amounts of cover, or those with significant pre-existing medical conditions, the insurer may require a nurse screening or a full medical examination. This is done at the insurer's expense.

How quickly does a Whole of Life policy pay out?

If the policy is written in trust, the process is very fast. Once the insurer has received the death certificate and any required claim forms from the trustees, the payout can often be made within a few weeks. This is much faster than waiting for probate, which can take many months or even years, and is a key benefit for paying an IHT bill which is due six months after death.

Is Whole of Life insurance regulated in the UK?

Yes, absolutely. The sale and administration of Whole of Life insurance in the UK is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Furthermore, if your insurer were to fail, your policy would be protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), which covers 100% of the claim with no upper limit for long-term insurance products.

Sources

  • Office for National Statistics (ONS): Mortality and population data.
  • Association of British Insurers (ABI): Life and protection market publications.
  • MoneyHelper (MaPS): Consumer guidance on life insurance.
  • NHS: Health information and screening guidance.

Related tools

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WeCovr is an FCA‑regulated insurance broker. We may earn a commission if you purchase a policy via us. This guide is written to be impartial and informational.

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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 experienced 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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How It Works

1. Complete a brief form
Complete a brief form
2. Our experts analyse your information and find you best quotes
Experts discuss your quotes
3. Enjoy your protection!
Enjoy your protection

Any questions?

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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Who Are WeCovr?

WeCovr is an insurance specialist for people valuing their peace of mind and a great service.

👍 WeCovr will help you get your private medical insurance, life insurance, critical illness insurance and others in no time thanks to our wonderful super-friendly experts ready to assist you every step of the way.

Just a quick and simple form and an easy conversation with one of our experts and your valuable insurance policy is in place for that needed peace of mind!