Give your loved ones financial security if you pass away, with terminal illness cover included at no extra cost. Get a life insurance quote with terminal illness cover in minutes
Premiums from £5 a month for £120,000 payout¹
99.1% of life insurance claims paid in 2024²
Available for UK residents aged 18-70
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We hope bad things don’t happen, but it’s good to be ready in case they do.
Life insurance can give you peace of mind in many ways. It pays out a cash lump sum to your loved ones if you pass away during the policy term. But it can also pay you early if a doctor confirms you have a terminal illness and are expected to live only 12 months or less.
This feature comes as standard with many life insurance policies, including ours. And it helps protect you and your family from financial struggles in your final months, instead of waiting until after you die to receive the money. You don’t have to pay it back if you live longer than predicted.
A terminal illness means you have a sickness that doctors say will end your life within 12 months, like advanced cancer. This type of cover can offer welcome financial support during such a tough time. And, as Marie Curie explains, you can access other forms of support too.
Terminal illness cover comes with your life insurance. It pays out money only if you die or a doctor says you’re expected to die from a serious illness.
Critical illness cover is different. It's an extra option you can add to your life policy, extra costs apply.
Taking out this cover now is a way to prepare for the unexpected, as you can’t add it when you find out you’re ill. And it can help with big changes in your life, like if you can’t work, need to adapt your home or pay for extra medical help.
It’s important to know what ‘terminal illness’ and ‘critical illness’ mean in the eyes of your insurer. So check your policy for details.
Terminal illness cover is included from the start with all these Post Office Life Insurance policy types. And you can pay extra to add critical illness cover for extra protection.
For full detail, check our policy terms.
This option helps pay off a debt that decreases over time, like a mortgage. The cover amount also goes down as you pay off your debt
With this option, you choose a fixed cover amount your loved ones will receive if you die during the policy. It can help pay off debts or leave a legacy
With this option the cover amount increases each year to keep pace with inflation
At Post Office, we include terminal illness in our life insurance policy as standard. If you have a policy that doesn’t include it, you may be able to buy it as separate cover later. Check with your insurer.
To make a claim, you need a doctor’s confirmation of your illness. Contact your insurer for the specific steps and required documents.
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Post Office Life Insurance is underwritten and administered by Scottish Friendly Assurance Society Limited. Neilson Financial Services Limited assist in the administration. If you buy Post Office Life Insurance over the telephone or online via the Post Office website, it is arranged and sold by Neilson Financial Services Limited, following an introduction by Post Office Limited. If you buy Post Office Life Insurance online via a price comparison website, it is arranged and sold by the firm that provides the price comparison website services.
Post Office Limited (company number 02154540) is an appointed representative of Post Office Management Services Limited (company number 08459718) which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, FRN 630318. Both companies are registered in England and Wales. Registered offices: Post Office Limited, 100 Wood Street, London, EC2V 7ER. Post Office Management Services Limited: 2nd Floor, MYO, One New Change, London EC4M 9AF.
1 Based on 21-year-old non-smoker in good health buying £120,000 level cover over a 21-year term.
2 Post Office Life Insurance is provided by Scottish Friendly. Scottish Friendly paid 99.1% of life insurance claims they received in 2024.
3 Data accurate as of March 2026.