Cover that holds up
when life does not.
Protection advice across the UK — life cover, critical illness, income protection, family income benefit and mortgage protection. Sized to your income, family and budget, with honest disclosure handled properly so the policy actually pays out when it is needed.
What each one
actually does.
Most households need a combination of two or three of these — rarely all four, never none. We will tell you which fit your situation, and which do not.
Life cover
Pays a tax-free lump sum (or regular income) if you die during the term. Used to clear the mortgage, replace lost income, or leave a legacy. Level, decreasing or family-income-benefit shapes.
Critical illness
Tax-free lump sum on diagnosis of a listed serious illness — cancer, heart attack, stroke, MS and dozens more. Often combined with life cover; usually the biggest claim category in working years.
Income protection
Replaces a percentage of your salary, tax-free, if illness or injury stops you working. Pays until you recover, retire, or the term ends. The single most useful policy most working adults can hold.
Family income benefit
A life-cover variant that pays a regular monthly income to your family until the end of the term — usually until the children are independent. Often cheaper than the equivalent lump sum.
Buildings & contents
Required by every mortgage lender. We arrange combined or separate buildings and contents cover, with optional accidental damage, personal possessions and home-emergency add-ons.
Not too much,
not too little.
The right amount of protection is enough to keep your family on its feet — no more. These are the five numbers we work through with you on the call.
- Outstanding mortgage. Capital, term remaining, and whether the cover should decrease with the balance or stay level.
- Income to replace. Your share of household income, how long it needs replacing, and any death-in-service or sick-pay already in place.
- Children's years. Years until the youngest is financially independent — usually the term length for family income benefit.
- Existing cover. Employer/group benefits, spouse policies, savings — what you have before we add anything new.
- Budget. What is sustainable monthly. We size cover to budget, not the other way round; a lapsed policy pays no claims.
Honest disclosure,
clean claims later.
Most declined claims are caused by incomplete disclosure at the application stage. We get this right at the start so the policy pays when it is needed.
Needs review
We map your income, mortgage, dependants, existing cover and budget. About 30 minutes on a call.
Disclosure
We walk through the medical, lifestyle and occupational questions so nothing is missed.
Quote & compare
Quotes from a wide range of insurers; we explain definitions, exclusions and what each insurer is strongest at.
Apply & underwrite
We submit the application, manage GP report requests and medical evidence, and chase to a final decision.
Trust & activate
We set up the trust where appropriate, confirm start date, and file the documents you will need at claim.
Often part of the same conversation.
Protection is usually arranged alongside a mortgage — same adviser, same paperwork, less duplication.
- First-time buyer mortgages → Most first mortgages come with a new set of protection needs — we cover both in one conversation.
- Remortgage advice → A remortgage is the natural moment to review whether your cover still matches the loan, term, and family.
- Buy-to-let landlord cover → Landlord buildings, rent protection and tenant default cover — a separate stack from your home insurance.
Common questions,
clear answers.
Can't see your question below? Drop us a line — most enquiries are answered the same working day.
What is the difference between life cover and critical illness cover?
Life cover pays out if you die during the term — typically used to clear a mortgage or leave a lump sum for family. Critical illness cover (CIC) pays out a tax-free lump sum if you are diagnosed with one of the serious illnesses listed in the policy (typically 40–80 conditions including cancer, heart attack, stroke and multiple sclerosis). Many people take both as a combined policy because the risk of being seriously ill in working years is meaningfully higher than the risk of dying.
How much life cover do I actually need?
A common starting point is enough to clear the mortgage plus a multiple of household income (5–10x) so dependants can absorb the loss. We model it against your real numbers: outstanding debt, monthly outgoings, ages of children, partner's income and any death-in-service benefits already in place. Over-insuring is wasted premium; under-insuring is a problem at the worst possible time.
Income protection vs. mortgage payment protection vs. payment holidays?
Income protection (IP) is the gold standard — it pays a regular tax-free income, typically 50–70% of your gross salary, if illness or injury stops you working, often until you can return or retire. Mortgage payment protection only covers the mortgage payment for a short period. Lender payment holidays are temporary and add interest. For most working-age adults, proper income protection is the strongest single piece of protection cover.
Will I have to declare my medical history?
Yes. Protection policies require full and honest disclosure of medical history, family history (for CIC), occupation, lifestyle (smoking, alcohol, certain sports) and BMI. Non-disclosure is the most common reason claims are declined. We walk you through the questions, help you remember the details that matter, and pick insurers whose underwriting is most favourable for your specific situation.
Are protection payouts taxable?
Generally no. Life cover paid out to an individual is normally free of income tax. Where the policy is held in trust, it is also typically outside your estate for inheritance tax purposes. Critical illness lump sums and income protection benefits are paid tax-free for personal policies. Group / executive policies have different rules — we will be clear which category yours falls into.
Should the policy be written in trust?
For most life cover policies — yes. Putting the policy in trust means the lump sum is paid quickly and directly to your beneficiaries, outside the probate process, and typically outside your estate for inheritance tax. The trust paperwork is straightforward, the insurers provide it free, and we will walk you through nominating trustees and beneficiaries when you set the policy up.
Is the premium guaranteed for the term?
Most of our policies are guaranteed premium — the monthly cost stays the same for the life of the policy unless you ask to change cover. Reviewable premiums start lower but can rise sharply as you age. We default to guaranteed pricing unless there is a strong reason to go reviewable, and we will tell you when that exception applies.
A 15-minute call is all it takes.
Tell us what you're trying to do and we'll be in touch within one working day to arrange a convenient time. No obligation — we agree any fee with you before chargeable work begins.