Whole of Life Insurance
Learn how whole of life insurance works, the costs, and the benefits it can offer.
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What is whole of life insurance?
Whole of Life Insurance is a policy where you’re guaranteed a pay-out from the insurer whenever you die, because the policy has no expiration date. It is usually more expensive than a term policy for the same amount of cover because it doesn’t have an end date.
If you pay your monthly premiums, you’ll know there’s money set aside for your loved ones when the time comes.
Ready to get a free quote and compare your life insurance options?
Key information
No end date to your cover
Whole of life insurance has no end date – it pays out when you die.
What your price is based on
Your premiums will be based on your age, height, weight, lifestyle and if you are employed in a high-risk job.
Help with funeral costs and more
It can be used to help with funeral costs, outstanding bills or to leave an inheritance.
No cash-in value for most plans
Many whole of life plans have no cash-in value if you cancel, though some may offer a small “surrender value” if it has an investment component. The surrender value is part of the withdrawal clause that should you decide to cancel you will receive a cash surrender value. If you are looking for a Whole of Life policy with an investment component, we would suggest that you speak to an independent financial advisor.
What are the benefits of whole of life insurance?
Ready to get a free quote and compare your life insurance options?
Hear from our customers
Don’t just take our word for it – hear it from our customers, with over 45,000 five‑star reviews.
Nick
I enquired about a life insurance…
I enquired about a life insurance policy. Received a phone call from Matt Burgess who was amazing to deal with throughout the whole process. Talked me through every step and what each type of policy was and the differences were between them.
Highly recommend dealing with Matt.
Patricia O.
Danny the customer service officer was…
Danny the customer service officer was professional, respectful and kind. He spoke with clarity and reassurance without pressure. He explained all that I needed to know. His explanation left little room for questions as he was very clear. He really knows his job inside out. I was very satisfied with his consultation.
Jack W.
Green lights ahead…
Good experience, made better with Luke Maguire. Speaking to him was like hitting every traffic light as it turns green 💚
If you are thinking about Life insurance, stop thinking and just do it. Its all about the ones you leave behind after you are gone. True selfless act. 💯👌🏻 Thanks Luke.
Neil R.
The man that dealt with me MATT was…
The man that dealt with me MATT was very professional and talked me through everything I was pleased with how he was respectful and explained everything so I could understand the process I’m happy with the cover I have.
Atans JP.
Excellent Service!
I spoke to Henry who was knowledgeable, friendly and very helpful.
He took me through the details of life insurance and critical illness. He found a very well priced cover plan, which I took out. Wonderful company.
Zafal I.
Excellent service recommended…
Spoke with Craig today with a view to getting life cover, he was clear, precise and excellent in explaining from start to finish and answered all my questions satisfactorily, even had a bit of banter along the way which made the experience very pleasing, needless to say I bought the policy recommended to me. Thank you.
Mason G.
Life Insurance
Had the chance to speak with Grant, he was amazing.
It was my first time arranging life insurance for my partner and my new born, so as you can imagine, not very clued up on how it all works. He explained everything so well and very clearly. Thank you Grant
Nick
I had a very positive experience with…
I had a very positive experience with this life insurance company.
Emily was knowledgeable, patient, explained all my options clearly and made the process easy to understand.
Highly recommended.
Sandra R.
Did an online quote and within minutes…
Did an online quote and within minutes got call from Katy who was amazing. Talked me through everything and ended up with policy. She knew what I was looking for and so helpful and patient.
Highly recommend. Thanks again Katy for sorting everything out for me.
Russell
Had a consult with Tommy Farthing…
Had a consult with Tommy Farthing, absolute pleasure dealing with him. Extremely patient, clear understanding of the information he provided, made me feel at ease through the entire process as I was rather edgy at first. I never felt pressured or treated like a mere run through receiving my consult. Thank you Tommy.
Anonymous
It was an absolute pleasure speaking…
It was an absolute pleasure speaking with Harrison. His product knowledge was outstanding, and he took the time to explain everything thoroughly, ensuring I fully understood the options available.
He was professional, patient, and genuinely engaging throughout the conversation.
Danielle S.
The man I spoke to was very helpful and…
The man I spoke to was very helpful and I came off of the phone saving £15 a month nearly on my life insurance
MS Heer
Very helpful gave me a lot of good…
Very helpful gave me a lot of good and a reasonable price for both insurances, was thorough with everything
Karen R.
Amazing service from Luke Maguire…
Luke Maguire assisted us to find a life and critical policy that suited our needs and budget, he did so with time and care. Luke gave us plenty of time to consider options and was full of knowledge to support us to decide. Luke went over and above dedicating time that suited us but meant he would be late leaving off.
What can affect the cost of whole of life insurance?
Your health and lifestyle can affect how much you pay each month and how much cover insurers are willing to offer. Things like smoking, your height and weight, and any past or existing medical conditions can all play a part.
This doesn’t mean you can’t get life insurance, but it can change the price you pay or the amount of cover you’re offered. Being open and honest about your health, lifestyle and job helps make sure your policy is valid and can pay out when your loved ones need it.
Health and lifestyle factors
When you apply for whole of life insurance, insurers usually look at a few key things:
Sometimes, an insurer may ask you to have a simple medical check to better understand your health.
If you already have cover and later lose weight, improve your health, or have been smoke or vape-free for at least 12 months, you may be able to get a new quote that works out cheaper than before. You will need to be medically reassessed based on your health and lifestyle at the time of the new application.
High risk jobs
Some jobs involve more day-to-day risk than others. For example:
Having a higher-risk job might mean you pay a bit more or have some extra terms on your policy, but it doesn’t mean you can’t get cover.
If you have questions about getting life insurance with a high-risk job, just get in touch with our friendly team. We’re here to help you find the right cover for your situation.
This list of high-risk jobs is not complete and should not be seen as a full guide.
High risk hobbies
Some active hobbies are seen as higher risk by insurers, such as:
It’s important to mention these activities on your application so your policy works as expected. Being open and honest helps make sure any future claim runs smoothly, and means you won’t end up paying more than you need to for the wrong type of cover.
This list of high-risk hobbies is not complete and should not be seen as a full guide.
What are the different types of life insurance?
Life Insurance can feel confusing, so here is a quick, simple overview of the main types.
Most popular
Increasing Term Life Insurance
The cover amount increases each year, to tackle the effects of inflation, so your payout and premiums keep
pace with the cost of living.
Good for: Keeping up with rising costs
Cheapest option
Decreasing Term Life Insurance
The payout reduces over time, often matching your mortgage balance.
Good for: Covering a repayment mortgage
Guaranteed acceptance
Over 50s Life Insurance
Guaranteed, if you meet the age and payment rules, acceptance for UK residents aged 50–80. No medical checks needed.
Good for: Ages over 50
Couple cover
Joint Life Insurance
Covers two people and pays out when the first (or sometimes second) person dies.
Good for: Couples who want to share one policy
Fixed cost
Level Term Life Insurance
Pays a set amount if you die during the policy term. The cover and monthly cost stay the same.
Good for: Budgeting at a fixed cost
Lifetime cover
Whole of Life Insurance
There’s no end date, this policy pays out whenever you die, as long as premiums are paid.
Good for: Lifelong cover
Illness add-on
Critical Illness Cover
Insurance that pays a lump sum if you are diagnosed with a serious illness covered by the policy during the term.
Good for: Financial help if you become seriously ill
Protection add-on
Income protection
If illness or injury stops you working, income protection can pay a regular amount to help with everyday costs like rent or mortgage, bills and food, so you can focus on your recovery.
Good for: Covering your income if you can’t work
Ready to get a free quote and compare life insurance options?
How much life insurance cover do I need?
Our calculator helps you get a rough idea of how much cover you might need if the worst happens, based on the figures you put in.
Ready to get a free quote and compare your life insurance options?
Ready to get a free quote and compare your life insurance options?
FAQs
Got questions about life insurance? Here are some of the most common ones.
How do I get whole of life insurance?
It’s simple! Just fill out our quick online form and we’ll give you a call. We’ll explain your options in plain language, share quotes from our panel of top insurers, so you can choose the right cover for you. No jargon, no pressure.
Read moreHow much does whole of life insurance cost?
Life insurance can start from as little as £5 a month. The exact price depends on things like your age, health, lifestyle, cover amount, and policy type. We’ll show you quotes from a range of insurers to help you find what fits your budget.
Read moreWhat affects the cost of whole of life insurance?
Your monthly cost depends on your age, health, lifestyle, how much cover you want, and how long you want it for. Smoking, certain jobs, and some hobbies can also make a difference. We’ll talk it through and show you your options so you can make an informed decision.
Read moreCan you recommend the best life insurance?
Protect Line is a non-advised life insurance broker—we never recommend or advise on any specific policy. We simply present your options so you can decide.
Life insurance policies can seem complex, especially at first glance. There is so much to consider including the policy types, policy term, level of cover, illness cover or funeral benefits, monthly costs, and the life insurance company you trust to administer a payout.
Read moreCan I trust you and your insurance providers?
Protect Line was founded in 2010 and has since grown into one of the UK’s largest and leading life insurance brokerages, employing 250+ staff nationwide. Winning multiple consumer awards each year and receiving thousands of five star ratings on Trustpilot, Google and Smart Money People, Protect Line is a highly trusted company.
We are fully authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, entered on the Financial Services Register (www.fca.org.uk/register) under reference 942467. We are also registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) to meet data protection standards and adhere to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) rules to ensure our advertising is always clear, fair and not misleading.
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