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What is life insurance?

A life insurance policy pays a lump sum to your loved ones if you die or become terminally ill within your chosen length of cover. This can help with things like mortgage repayments, raising children and day-to-day living costs.

You can choose how much you want this payout to be, with an upper limit of £750,000, depending on age. All you need to do is make payments each month, with the cost determined by factors like your age, health and lifestyle.

It's quick and easy to set up. You can get a life insurance quote within minutes online or speak to us over the phone on 0330 123 3921.

Get life cover today and have the peace of mind that should the worst happen, your family is protected.

Why choose our life insurance policy?

There’s more to our life cover than just a payout. We’re here for you in tough times

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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 

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Includes health support for you and your family

Access a UK-registered GP online or by phone 24/7, plus other health and wellbeing services4 and compassionate support.

This service is separate from the policy contract. It’s free but may be withdrawn at any time

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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

We're an award-winning provider5 of Life Insurance and trusted by over 140,000 UK customers3

What does our life insurance cover?

Our standard policies offer:

  • 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 family4

  • A choice of individual or joint cover

For complete protection, consider adding these optional extras for an additional cost:

  • 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

How does life insurance work?

To be eligible to apply, you need to be a UK resident aged 18-70 at the start of the policy

  1. 1

    You choose the cover you need

    Select the type of insurance which best fits your requirements and budget, from level cover, decreasing cover and increasing cover

  2. 2

    Get quick and easy life insurance quotes online

    We’ll ask you a few questions about your health and lifestyle. The whole process takes a matter of minutes. Or, if you prefer, you can call us on 0333 188 0385

  3. 3

    Pay a fixed amount every month

    Your monthly premium is set up when you take out a policy. This stays the same throughout your policy, unless you select increasing cover, in which case it will raise each year

  4. 4

    Get a lump sum for loved ones if the worst happens

    Should you pass away before the end of your policy, your loved ones will receive their payout. Be sure they know about your policy so it’s easy for them to make a claim

How much does life insurance cost?

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). We also offer different types of life insurance depending on your needs, so you can find the best policy for you.

Age

Amount of cover and monthly cost

31 years old

£100k from £7.54

41  years old

£100k from £15.51

51 years old

£100k from £37.88

61 years old

£100k from £93.09

31 years old

31 years old

£100k from £7.54

41  years old

41  years old

£100k from £15.51

51 years old

51 years old

£100k from £37.88

61 years old

61 years old

£100k from £93.09

Get life cover and a reward of your choice

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.

a stack of pink and blue gift cards

Gift card reward

As a thanks for getting cover with us, select a £100 M&S, Dining Out or Amazon.co.uk Gift Card*

Qualifying period, minimum premiums and terms and conditions apply

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Experience reward

Celebrate your new peace of mind with an experience worth up to £200† for you and your loved ones

 Qualifying period, minimum premiums and terms and conditions apply

Compare types of life insurance - choosing the right 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.
 

Level

What is level cover? A policy which pays a fixed sum. Whether you pass away in the first or final year of your policy, the payout will be the same.

What is level cover for? It can help your loves ones pay off a mortgage, cover day-to-day costs or simply live more comfortably after you’ve gone.

More about level cover

Increasing cover

What is increasing cover? A policy which pays an increasing sum as time goes on. It’s designed to increase in line with inflation, so the cover you choose retains its actual value throughout your term. Your monthly premiums will rise every year with increasing cover.

What is increasing cover used for? It’s usually used if you have a specific amount you want to leave behind. If you pass away later in your policy, your payout will have kept pace with rising prices.

More about increasing cover

Decreasing cover

What is decreasing cover? A policy which pays a reducing sum over time. Monthly premiums are lower than level cover, making this type of life insurance the most affordable option.

What is decreasing cover used for? It’s usually used to specifically cover a mortgage or another debt which decreases over time.

More about decreasing cover

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Just looking to cover the cost of your funeral?

If you’re in your later years and want to leave a smaller, guaranteed payout behind, you’ll want our Over 50s Life Cover. With a payout of up to £10,000 available, depending on age, you can help cover the costs of your funeral, pay off debts or leave your family a gift.

  • Guaranteed acceptance for anyone between 50-80
  • No medical questions required
  • Coverage for the rest of your life, not a fixed term
  • Funeral Benefit Option at no extra cost

Not sure where to start? We can help with that

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

  • a customer service representative wearing a red shirt and seated behind an open laptop

    Speak to a UK-based specialist by Phone6

    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

  • an open laptop screen

    Life Insurance Calculator
     

    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

Common life insurance questions

  • 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.

    Read our guide: mortgage life insurance

  • Read more
  • 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:

    • Your current financial situation and how it might impact dependents if you die
    • Your beneficiaries and what support they’ll need
    • Any existing cover you may already have (such as death in service benefits from your work)
    • The type of policy that’s right for you (level, decreasing or increasing cover)
    • Whether you want joint or single cover
  • 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:

    • The end of the term of your policy
    • Your death
    • Our acceptance of your diagnosis of a terminal illness

    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.

Need some help?

Life cover help and support

To make a claim, find answers to common questions, access bereavement and wellbeing support or contact us for something else:

Visit our life cover support page

About our 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.

Offers terms and conditions

 Gift card or Experience offer ends 30 April 2027. Minimum premiums and 180-day qualifying period applies.

Terms and conditions

* Restrictions apply, see amazon.co.uk/gc-legal

Things you need to know​

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.

Footnotes

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 Data accurate as of March 2025.

4 This service is separate to and does not form part of the Post Office Life Insurance contract. It’s available to you for free but may be withdrawn at any time. Health and Wellbeing Services are provided by MediPartner Limited.

5 Post Office was named Best Life Insurance Provider at the YourMoney.com Awards 2022.

6 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.