UK life insurance compared
Typical level term: ~£25/mo (£150k benchmark, 2026)Term life pays a lump sum if you die within the term. Decreasing term suits repayment mortgages; level term suits family income protection. Writing the policy in trust keeps the payout outside your estate.
Legal & General
- UK's largest term life insurer
- Free cover while application processes
- Terminal illness benefit standard
- Optional critical illness
Aviva
- Defaqto 5-star options
- Free parent life cover (£15k)
- Flexible term lengths
- Critical illness add-on
Vitality Life
- Premiums linked to healthy living
- Discounts: gym, smartwatch, rewards
- Serious illness cover option
- Premium falls as activity rises
Royal London
- ~99% of claims paid
- Helping-hand support service
- Menu plan: combine covers
- Strong mutual heritage
Co-op Life Insurance
- Simple online application
- Level and decreasing term
- Terminal illness included
- Trusted high-street brand
Compare life insurance quotes from leading UK insurers in one place.
Compare at MoneySuperMarketWhat to compare before you buy
- Level vs decreasing term: decreasing is cheaper and tracks a repayment mortgage; level protects family income.
- Critical illness cover roughly doubles the premium but pays on diagnosis, not death — decide deliberately.
- Write the policy in trust: payout skips probate and inheritance tax. Free to set up with most insurers.
- Guaranteed premiums cost more than reviewable ones but can't rise later — usually worth it.
- Disclose health honestly: non-disclosure is the main reason claims fail. Payout rates at honest insurers run ~97–99%.
Life insurance for US visitors
For visitors in the United States — typical costs shown are US national averages (Bankrate, NerdWallet, KFF, NAPHIA and similar, as of 2026). Links may be affiliate links. A healthy 30-year-old in the US pays roughly $19–30/month for a $500K, 20-year term policy (NerdWallet/MoneyGeek, 2026).
Ladder
- 100% digital application
- Adjust cover up/down anytime
- No-exam options to $3M
Ethos
- No medical exam for most
- Fast online decision
- Term policies to age 65
Aflac
- Supplemental health/accident
- Pays cash benefits directly
- Workplace and individual plans
Frequently asked questions
How much life cover do I need?
A common rule of thumb is 10× annual salary, or enough to clear the mortgage plus several years of household income. Decreasing term matching your mortgage balance is the cheapest meaningful cover.
Does life insurance pay out for any death?
Policies pay for death within the term, subject to exclusions (typically suicide within the first 12 months and non-disclosure of health information). Terminal illness benefit — early payout on a sub-12-month prognosis — is standard with major insurers.
Is life insurance taxable?
The payout is free of income tax. It can count toward inheritance tax if paid into your estate — writing the policy in trust avoids this and speeds up payment.