Term insurance is the most common kind of life cover as it protects a duration of time in which your loved ones would be most financially vulnerable if you were to die. However, there are other kinds of life insurance – as we set out below.
Whole life insurance: Whole life cover, sometimes called whole of life assurance, guarantees to pay out a lump sum on the policyholder’s death – so the cover applies for the remainder of your life, not just a set term as with term insurance.
As there is always a guaranteed pay-out, whole of life premiums tend to be expensive. They can also rise over time.
Whole life cover is often linked to an investment to enable the lump sum to grow over time. Policies can also be written in trust, so that the proceeds are paid directly to your beneficiaries rather than going into your estate – and potentially being liable for inheritance tax.
Death in service benefit: Many employers offer life insurance to their staff as an employee benefit. This is often referred to as ‘death in service’ protection. There is usually no requirement for a health check or any other form of insurance underwriting, although you may be asked to sign a declaration that you are not suffering from a serious medical condition
The potential pay-out from this sort of arrangement is often set at four times annual gross salary, although details may differ between employers. Also, some employers may choose to offer more generous pay-outs to more senior staff.
Over-50s life cover: Over-50s life insurance is a lower cost type of policy that you can take out between the ages of 50 and 80, typically with a much smaller sum insured.
It is not necessary to declare any pre-existing conditions or show medical records as everyone is automatically accepted. Pay-outs tend to be relatively small, with policies typically taken out to cover funeral costs, for example.
Premiums are fixed and tend to be low and there is a guaranteed, pre-determined pay-out to beneficiaries when you die. However, if you live for a long time you could end up paying more into the plan than your family will get back due.
Critical illness cover: Many term life insurance policies allow you to add on critical illness cover for an additional cost. It pays out a tax-free lump sum if you are diagnosed with a specific illness or medical condition listed on your policy – such as cancer, heart attack, stroke or loss of limb – during the term.
Its purpose is to offer a financial buffer at a highly stressful time of life, and support if you have to stop working. The funds paid out can be used to ensure your mortgage and other major financial commitments are paid. The money can also be used to make any required adjustments to your home that make life more comfortable.
Critical illness cover is considerably more expensive than life insurance. So, while you should look to take out enough cover for your mortgage, debts and monthly bills, in reality, it may be a case of seeing how much you can afford.
Also be sure to read the small print carefully, as insurance companies have a finite list of conditions they will cover. This can run to more than 100, but if your illness isn’t included, you won’t get a pay out.
You may also be declined if you have withheld information about your medical history or if the illness you contract isn’t advanced enough.