Life insurance pays out a lump sum when you die. That money can be used to pay off the mortgage, cover household bills, pay for childcare, or simply give your family time to grieve without financial pressure.
You pay a monthly premium, and the amount you pay depends on the level of cover you choose, your age, and your health. The sooner you put it in place, the cheaper it tends to be.
Policies can be level term (the payout stays the same), decreasing term (the payout reduces alongside your mortgage), or whole of life (no fixed end date).
A good starting point is to add up your outstanding mortgage, any other debts, and an estimate of how much your family would need to cover living costs for a number of years. We'll help you work through the numbers and arrive at a figure that makes sense for your situation.
Yes, age and health are the two biggest factors that affect your premium. A healthy 30-year-old will pay significantly less than someone who applies at 45. Taking cover out earlier locks in a lower rate for the life of the policy.
Yes, and we'd usually recommend it. Writing a policy in trust means the payout goes directly to your chosen beneficiaries without going through your estate so it's faster, and it won't be subject to inheritance tax.
It doesn't mean you can't get cover. Different insurers take different views on different conditions that's one of the key reasons to use a broker rather than going direct. We'll find the right insurer for your circumstances.