Make sure your family’s financially secure if you die. Get a life insurance quote in minutes
Premiums from £7.54 a month1
You’re covered for a terminal illness from day one
99.1% of life insurance claims paid in 20242
.png)
Enjoy a welcome gift card or experience on us. Included with your policy. Explore our rewards.
A life insurance policy gives you peace of mind. It’s a type of life cover that pays out a lump sum to your family or loved ones if you die or are diagnosed with a terminal illness during its term.
It's quick and easy to set up. It needn't be expensive. And it can give you welcome reassurance. Finding the best policy for you is simple too, with simple life insurance quotes online or over the phone.
There’s more to our life cover than paying your loved ones a lump sum if you die. We’re here for you all in tough times
You’re covered for a terminal illness from day one
We'll pay 100% of your lump sum in advance if you're diagnosed with a terminal illness and have less than 12 months to live
Includes health support for you and your family
Access a UK-registered GP online or by phone 24/7, plus other health and wellbeing services3 and compassionate support.
This service is separate from the policy contract. It’s free but may be withdrawn at any time.
Add cover for children or a critical illness
Serious conditions can affect anyone and be expensive. It’s easy to add critical illness and children’s cover. Extra costs apply
When you buy Post Office Life Insurance, you’ll also get a special reward. Choose a gift card† from a choice of retailers or an unforgettable experience†.
† Qualifying period, minimum premiums and terms and conditions apply
† Qualifying period, minimum premiums and terms and conditions apply
Cover for UK residents aged 18-70
Up to £750,000 of cover, depending on age
Terminal illness cover from day one if you have less than 12 months to live
Health, wellbeing and bereavement support for you and your family3
A choice of individual or joint cover
Critical illness cover. Pays a lump sum if you’re diagnosed with a critical illness, to help financially while you recover
Children’s cover. Pays a lump sum for accidental death or medical expenses if your child suffers a serious injury or illness specified in the policy
To be eligible to apply, you need to be a UK resident aged 18-70 at the start of the policy
A safety net for your family during hard times is priceless, but getting life cover shouldn’t cost you the earth. Your monthly costs will depend on different factors (like your age, health and lifestyle). And we offer different types of life insurance so you can find the best policy for you.
We offer different types of life insurance to meet different needs. The cover type you need may depend on what you want to protect and how much you'd like to pay each month
We've compared our three Life Insurance cover types so you can easily see which may suit you.
|
Key cover features |
Level cover What's it for? Providing for your loved ones and/or paying off an interest-only mortgage if you die during the policy term Fixed cash sum Yes What's the maximum Up to £750,000 (depending on your age) Age limits Ages 18-70 Is Terminal Illness Cover included? Yes Are health-related question asked? Yes Can I add Critical Illness Cover to my policy? Yes Can I add Children's Cover to my policy? Yes Can I apply for joint cover? Yes More information |
Decreasing cover What's it for? Typically used to pay off a repayment mortgage if you die during the policy term Fixed cash sum No, the payout amount reduces over time to keep track with your debt What's the maximum Up to £750,000 (depending on your age) Age limits Ages 18-70 Is Terminal Illness Cover included? Yes Are health-related question asked? Yes Can I add Critical Illness Cover to my policy? Yes Can I add Children's Cover to my policy? Yes Can I apply for joint cover? Yes More information |
Increasing cover What's it for? Providing for your loved ones and reducing the impact of inflation on the money you leave if you die during the policy term Fixed cash sum No, the payout amount grows each year to keep track with inflation What's the maximum Up to £750,000 (depending on your age) Age limits Ages 18-70 Is Terminal Illness Cover included? Yes Are health-related question asked? Yes Can I add Critical Illness Cover to my policy? Yes Can I add Children's Cover to my policy? Yes Can I apply for joint cover? Yes More information |
Over 50s life cover What's it for? Leaving a cash sum to help pay for your funeral, settle loans or as a gift Fixed cash sum Yes, or can also opt for increasing cover option What's the maximum Up to £10,000 (depending on your age) Age limits Ages 50-80 Is Terminal Illness Cover included? No Are health-related question asked? No Can I add Critical Illness Cover to my policy? No Can I add Children's Cover to my policy? No Can I apply for joint cover? Yes (excluding in-branch) More information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
What's it for? |
What's it for? Providing for your loved ones and/or paying off an interest-only mortgage if you die during the policy term |
What's it for? Typically used to pay off a repayment mortgage if you die during the policy term |
What's it for? Providing for your loved ones and reducing the impact of inflation on the money you leave if you die during the policy term |
What's it for? Leaving a cash sum to help pay for your funeral, settle loans or as a gift |
|
Fixed cash sum |
Fixed cash sum Yes |
Fixed cash sum No, the payout amount reduces over time to keep track with your debt |
Fixed cash sum No, the payout amount grows each year to keep track with inflation |
Fixed cash sum Yes, or can also opt for increasing cover option |
|
What's the maximum |
What's the maximum Up to £750,000 (depending on your age) |
What's the maximum Up to £750,000 (depending on your age) |
What's the maximum Up to £750,000 (depending on your age) |
What's the maximum Up to £10,000 (depending on your age) |
|
Age limits |
Age limits Ages 18-70 |
Age limits Ages 18-70 |
Age limits Ages 18-70 |
Age limits Ages 50-80 |
|
Is Terminal Illness Cover included? |
Is Terminal Illness Cover included? Yes |
Is Terminal Illness Cover included? Yes |
Is Terminal Illness Cover included? Yes |
Is Terminal Illness Cover included? No |
|
Are health-related question asked? |
Are health-related question asked? Yes |
Are health-related question asked? Yes |
Are health-related question asked? Yes |
Are health-related question asked? No |
|
Can I add Critical Illness Cover to my policy? |
Can I add Critical Illness Cover to my policy? Yes |
Can I add Critical Illness Cover to my policy? Yes |
Can I add Critical Illness Cover to my policy? Yes |
Can I add Critical Illness Cover to my policy? No |
|
Can I add Children's Cover to my policy? |
Can I add Children's Cover to my policy? Yes |
Can I add Children's Cover to my policy? Yes |
Can I add Children's Cover to my policy? Yes |
Can I add Children's Cover to my policy? No |
|
Can I apply for joint cover? |
Can I apply for joint cover? Yes |
Can I apply for joint cover? Yes |
Can I apply for joint cover? Yes |
Can I apply for joint cover? Yes (excluding in-branch) |
|
More information |
More information |
More information |
More information |
More information |
Choosing life cover can feel tricky, but we’re here to help. Our tools, guides and friendly team make it easier to explore your options with confidence
Our friendly team’s here to help you understand your options and find the right cover for your needs
Monday to Friday: 9am - 8pm
Saturday: 9am - 5pm
Closed Sundays and bank holidays
Want to explore your options first? Our calculator helps you estimate how much cover you might need based on your income, mortgage, savings and debts
If you’re a UK resident aged 50-80, leave up to £10,000 as a gift or to cover costs like your funeral. There’s no medical and we guarantee to accept you:
It’s simple to get a quote for Post Office Life Insurance online
A life insurance plan works by providing a lump sum payout to your family or loved ones if you die or are diagnosed with a terminal illness and have less than 12 months to live. You pay a fixed monthly premium based on the coverage you need and how long you want the policy to last. If the worst happens while your policy is active, your named beneficiaries will be able to file a claim.
Your premiums are guaranteed to stay the same unless you make changes to your policy or choose increasing cover. The lump sum from your policy can be used to help pay the mortgage or help protect your family's lifestyle and everyday living expenses.
For more details on how Post Office Life Insurance works, including the definitions of terminal illnesses we’ll pay out for, please read our terms and conditions.
There are many reasons why you would need life insurance. Most people take out a policy when they are buying a house, getting married, or having children. If you have people who depend on you (whether it’s your spouse, kids or an elderly relative), life insurance can be a financial safety net if you were to fall ill or pass away unexpectedly.
Life insurance is beneficial at any age but it’s cheaper when you’re younger. So it may be worth taking out a policy a few years before you buy a house or start a family. By locking in a policy earlier, you’ll pay less overall. This can make it much more affordable, while still giving you the life security you need.
UK residents aged 18-70 (at the start of the policy) are eligible to take out a Post Office life insurance policy. The minimum term is 5 years and the cover must end before your 90th birthday.
There’s no legal requirement to take out life insurance if you’re taking on a mortgage. But many lenders will strongly recommend you get covered if you do. It’s a way to make sure the mortgage debt will be paid off if you die. And that can be welcome reassurance to your loved ones at a tough time, so they’re not at risk of losing their home as well as losing you.
Most life insurance providers will offer a decreasing term life cover option. This type of cover will reduce over time, roughly in line with the way a repayment mortgage reduces. If you die while covered, your family will get a lump sum to help cover the remaining mortgage. This means they get to stay in the family home without the worry of mortgage payment.
Even if you don't have a mortgage, life insurance could help your family cover the cost of everyday living and maintain their lifestyle. Things like rent, private or university education costs, birthdays and weddings all need paying for. You may even need cover to pay for domestic tasks if the person left behind has to pay someone to do them after you're gone.
The cost of life insurance is worked out by a number of things, including your age, health, lifestyle, and the amount of cover you need. In some cases, dangerous hobbies or high-risk jobs could also impact the cost. It’s important to be honest and upfront when buying life insurance to prevent voiding the policy.
Generally, the younger you are, the lower the premiums. If you’re older, you may want to look for specialised over 50s life insurance plans.
Critical illness cover pays a cash sum if, during your policy term, you suffer from heart attacks, strokes (depending on the severity), coronary artery or certain types of cancer that meet our definition.
At such a difficult time, it can ease financial pressures on you, your family or your partner. For instance, it may help pay for a mortgage, rent or everyday living costs. It might also be used for modifications to your home needed as a result of your illness. Find out more about our critical illness benefit, or our guide on family life insurance.
When buying life insurance, think about the amount of cover you might need. Consider things like:
Joint life insurance protects two people under one policy with one monthly premium payment. It only pays out once if a policyholder dies within the term.
Two single policies protect each policyholder separately but will mean paying two premiums each month. Consider which option is right for you.
With Post Office Life Insurance, your monthly payments will continue until the earliest of these:
If you make a claim after being diagnosed with a terminal illness, please don't stop paying your monthly payments. We’ll first confirm if your terminal illness meets our terminal illness definition, as per the terms and conditions.
With bills going up, it’s natural to look for ways to cut costs. But cancelling your life insurance could lead to bigger problems later. Here’s why keeping your cover matters and how Post Office can help.
For many people, life insurance is an important way to protect their loved ones. But how many of us actually have it? And how much do people really know about this kind of cover?
Life insurance is more than just a safety net. It can be a smart investment in your family’s future and your business’s continuity, especially if you’re self-employed.
If you’re not married or in a civil partnership, your partner might face financial challenges they otherwise wouldn’t if you died. This guide explains what you can do to help protect them.
Inheritance tax is a tax that might need to be paid on the estate you leave when you die. The rules can be complex but, with good planning, you can often reduce how much is owed.
Choosing the right life insurance policy as a couple can be challenging. Should you apply for one joint policy or take out separate single policies instead?
Turning 60 is a special milestone, but it’s also a good time to think about how you can protect your loved ones in the future.
Life insurance can offer your loved ones peace of mind and financial security if you pass away or become critically ill.
If you want to leave your loved ones financial protection for your home, even if you’re not there to help pay the mortgage, you may want to take out mortgage life insurance.
Life insurance can give your family financial support if you pass away during the policy term. As well as providing peace of mind, it can help cover debts and everyday costs so life can go on.
Death in service cover is a useful employee benefit but relying on it alone could put your family at risk financially. Find out how it compares to life insurance and why it’s a good idea to have both.
What is life assurance and is it the same as life insurance? Our guide explains it all.
Your family is unique. Protecting them from life’s uncertainties is important. Life insurance offers a way to provide financial security for your loved ones if something happens to you.
No one really likes to think about their funeral. But it’s important to because they can be expensive.
Thinking about life insurance? Here’s what you’ll need to apply, how long it takes and how the process works from start to finish.
Turning 50 is a great time to try new things. The right life cover can help you enjoy travel, hobbies and big life changes without worry.
It seems there are certain events in people’s life that prompt them to buy life insurance.
Post Office Life Insurance offers up to £750,000 cover, depending on your age, for customers who are UK residents aged 18-70 at the start of the policy. The minimum term is 5 years and cover must end before your 90th birthday. If you miss payments, you will no longer be covered under the policy. If you don’t tell us something or give us incorrect answers to our application questions that affects your cover, we may reduce the amount we pay for a claim or at worst cancel your cover and not refund your monthly payments.
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.
† Gift card or Experience offer ends 30 April 2027. Minimum premiums and 180-day qualifying period applies.
* Restrictions apply, see amazon.co.uk/gc-legal
Depending on how long you live, you could pay more in monthly payments than the cash sum we pay out when you die. The cash sum you choose is fixed and inflation (the rising cost of goods and services) will reduce its value over time.
Post Office Over 50s Life Cover is administered by Aviva Life & Pensions UK Limited. Neilson Financial Services Limited assist with the administration. If you buy Post Office Over 50s Life Cover in a Post Office branch, it is arranged and sold by Post Office Limited and Post Office Management Services Limited. If you buy Post Office Over 50s Life Cover 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 Over 50s Life Cover online via a price comparison website, it is arranged and sold by the firm that provides the price comparison website services.
Post Office Limited is an appointed representative of Post Office Management Services Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, FRN 630318. Registered in England and Wales. Registered numbers 2154540 and 08459718 respectively. Registered office: 100 Wood Street, London, EC2V 7ER.
1 Based on 31-year-old non-smoker in good health buying £100,000 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 This service is separate to and does not form part of the Post Office Over 50s Life Cover policy contract. It’s available to you for free but may be withdrawn at any time. Health and Wellbeing Services are provided by MediPartner Limited.
4 Calls to 03 numbers will cost no more than calling a standard UK number starting with 01 or 02 from your fixed line or mobile and may be included in your call package. Calls may be monitored or recorded for training and compliance purposes.