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We compare quotes from…
a range of leading UK life insurance providers
Why compare life insurance with surely?
Life insurance prices can be different from one provider to another. Surely helps you compare quotes in one place, so you do not have to check each insurer yourself.
Compare providers
See quotes from a range of UK life insurance providers.
Quick and simple
Start your quote online in just a few minutes.
Cover that suits you
Choose your cover amount and how long it lasts.
Clear information
Understand your options before you apply.
No pressure to buy
Getting a quote does not mean you have to take out a policy.
Regulated broker
Surely is a trading style of PJG Financial Limited.
What is life insurance?
Life insurance is a type of cover that can pay out money to your loved ones if you die during the policy term. The money is usually paid as a lump sum and can help your family stay financially secure at a difficult time.
You choose how much cover you want and how long you want the policy to last. If you die while the policy is active, your family could make a claim. If the claim is accepted, the insurer pays out the agreed amount.
How does Surely life insurance work?
Life insurance is designed to give your loved ones financial support if you die while your policy is active. You choose the amount of cover, how long you want the policy to last, and then pay a monthly premium to keep the cover in place.
Choose your cover
Decide how much cover you need and how long you want it to last.
Answer a few questions
Tell us about your health, lifestyle and smoking status.
Pay monthly
If accepted, you pay a monthly premium to keep your policy active.
Your family can claim
If you die during the policy term, your loved ones can make a claim.
Do I need life insurance?
You may need life insurance if someone depends on you financially. This could be a partner, children, or anyone who would struggle to pay important costs if you were no longer around.
Life insurance is often used to help protect a family home, replace lost income, cover debts, or give loved ones extra financial support after a death.
You may need life insurance if…
- You have children or dependants
- You have a mortgage with someone else
- Your partner relies on your income
- You want to help cover household bills
- You want to help pay funeral costs
You may not need life insurance if…
- Nobody depends on your income
- You have no major debts
- You already have enough savings
- You are single with no dependants
- Your employer cover is enough
How much does life insurance cost?
There is no single price for life insurance. The amount you pay depends on you, the cover you choose, and how the insurer views your application.
In general, life insurance can cost less when you are younger, healthier, and choosing a lower amount of cover. It may cost more if you are older, smoke, have health conditions, or want a larger payout.
No single price
The best way to find out the cost is to compare personalised quotes
Your Age
Life insurance usually costs more as you get older.
Whether you smoke
Life insurance usually costs more if you smoke or use nicotine products.
Your health
Medical conditions, weight, family history and past health issues can affect the price.
How much cover you want
A larger payout usually means a higher monthly cost.
How long you want cover for
A longer policy term can increase the price.
Your job
Some jobs may be seen as higher risk than others.
Your lifestyle
Lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol use, dangerous hobbies…
Types of life insurance compared
Compare the main types of life insurance to see which one may suit you best.
| Policy type | Best for | How payout works | Typical cost | Things to consider |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Level term |
Families, fixed cover needs | Pays a fixed lump sum if you die during the policy term | Medium | Good for family protection, but the cover does not rise with inflation. |
 Decreasing term |
Repayment mortgage cover | Payout reduces over time, usually in line with a mortgage balance | Lower | Often cheaper, but the payout gets smaller over time. |
 Whole of life |
Lifelong cover, estate planning | Pays out whenever you die, as long as premiums are paid | Higher | Covers you for life, but usually costs more. |
 Joint life |
Couples wanting one shared policy | Pays out once when the first person dies | Lower to medium | Can be cheaper than two policies, but usually only pays once. |
 Over-50s |
Older applicants wanting simple acceptance | Usually pays a fixed lump sum when you die after any waiting period | Medium to higher | Easy to apply for, but payouts can be lower and premiums can add up. |
Level term life insurance
Level term life insurance is a straightforward type of cover. You choose how much cover you need and how long the policy lasts, for example, £100,000 over 20 years.
If you die during the policy term, the insurer may pay a fixed lump sum to your beneficiaries. The payout amount stays the same throughout the term.
Decreasing life insurance
Often used to help cover a repayment mortgage, decreasing term life insurance is designed for debts that reduce over time.
The potential payout reduces during the policy term. If you die earlier in the term, the insurer may pay a higher amount than if you die later, when there is less debt outstanding.
Client reviews
Terrific experience securing life insurance, illness cover and income protection for my wife and I. Definitely made things simple and answered all my questions clearly making things really clear and easy to understand. Left me with piece of mind. Read review on Trust Pilot.
Fred LBrighton
Start your life insurance journey with confidence
Life insurance calculator
How much life insurance do you need?
Let’s give you a quick life insurance cover quote. Just pop in a few details to get started.
Based on your numbers,
you should look for a life insurance policy of at least
£210,000
Find the right insurance cover Browse the latest insurance products using our comparison tool to get the protection you need
Find me a policyHow much cover do I need?
A simple way to estimate your cover is to add up the main costs your loved ones may need help with, then subtract any savings or existing cover.
 Example cover estimate |
|
|---|---|
 Mortgage balance |
£180,000 |
 Other debts |
£10,000 |
 Family living costs |
£30,000 |
 Childcare or education |
£15,000 |
 Funeral costs |
£5,000 |
| Total support needed | £240,000 |
 Less savings or existing cover |
-£20,000 |
| Example cover amount | £220,000 |
What to include
- Mortgage balance
- Debts and loans
- Income replacement
- Childcare or education costs
- Savings or employer cover
Important This is only an example. The right amount of cover depends on your personal circumstances, budget and family needs.
Life insurance cost examples
Life insurance prices are different for everyone. Your monthly premium can depend on your age, health, smoker status, lifestyle, cover amount, policy term and the insurer you choose.
The examples below are based on quote data available through Surely’s life insurance partner panel.
| Cover amount | Policy term | Critical illness cover | Example monthly premium | Example annual premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Up to £100,000 |
10 Years |
Not included | £15.65 | £187.80 |
| Up to £175,000 |
10 Years |
Not included | £17.94 | £215.28 |
Assumptions
These examples are based on life insurance quote data available throughSurely’s partner panel. They are for life insurance policies with a 10-year term and no critical illness cover.
Important information
These prices are examples only. They do not guarantee the price you will pay. Your own quote may be higher or lower depending on your age, health, smoker status, lifestyle, cover amount, policy term and the insurer you choose.
What do I need to get a quote?
To give you an accurate life insurance quote, Surely will ask a few simple questions about you, your health and the cover you want.
Your age
Your date of birth
Your postcode
Your home postcode
Smoker status
Have you smoked in the last 5 years?
Health history
Any medical conditions, medication or treatments
Cover amount
How much you want the policy to pay out
Policy term
How long you want the cover to last
Occupation
Your job title and type of work
Lifestyle
Hobbies, travel or activities that may affect your quote
Partner details
Needed if you want joint life insurance
Good to know
Surely helps you compare life insurance options based on your details. The more accurate your answers are, the more accurate your quote is likely to be.
What happens if a claim is rejected?
Most valid life insurance claims are paid, but there are situations where an insurer may reject a claim. This can happen if the policy terms were not met, payments were missed, or important information was missing or incorrect when the policy was taken out.
If a claim is rejected, your loved ones should not panic. There are steps they can take to understand the decision and challenge it if needed.
1 Check the reason
Ask the insurer to explain clearly why the claim was rejected.
2 Review the policy documents
Check the policy terms, exclusions, payment history and any conditions linked to the claim.
3 Contact the insurer
If something looks wrong, ask the insurer to review the decision and provide any extra information they need.
4 Make a formal complaint
If you still disagree, you can make a formal complaint through the insurer’s complaints process.
5 Escalate if needed
If the complaint is not resolved, you may be able to take it to the Financial Ombudsman Service.
Good to know
Answering application questions honestly and keeping up with monthly payments can reduce the chance of problems if your loved ones ever need to make a claim.
Can I get life insurance with pre-existing conditions?
Yes, you may still be able to get life insurance if you have a pre-existing medical condition. A health condition does not automatically mean you will be declined.
At Surely, we help people with medical conditions compare life insurance options from a range of providers. Different insurers assess medical conditions in different ways, so it is worth checking your options before assuming cover is not available.
What insurers may look at
The price and availability of cover can depend on:
You may still have options
Different insurers assess risk in different ways. That means cover may still be available, and Sure can help you compare your options.
Your condition
Some conditions are easier to cover than others.
How severe it is
Mild or well-managed conditions may be viewed more favourably.
Treatment and medication
Insurers may ask about medication, treatment, surgery or recent symptoms.
When you were diagnosed
A recent diagnosis may be treated differently from a stable long-term condition.
Your age and health
Your age, weight, lifestyle and general health can affect your quote.
The insurer’s rules
Each insurer has its own underwriting process.
Good to know
Answering application questions honestly and keeping up with monthly payments can reduce the chance of problems if your loved ones ever need to make a claim.
Things to know before buying life insurance
Before you buy life insurance, it helps to understand a few simple things. This can make it easier to choose the right policy and avoid problems later.
Our Promise
Surely helps you compare life insurance with confidence.
1 
Answer questions honestly
Answer questions honestly
Give accurate details about your health, lifestyle and medical history.
2 
Check what is covered
Check what is covered
Some policies have exclusions, so always check when the policy would and would not pay out.
3 
Keep up with payments
Keep up with payments
If you miss payments, your policy could stop and your loved ones may no longer be covered.
4 
Know your cooling-off period
Know your cooling-off period
Most policies give you time to cancel after buying.
5 
Check terminal illness cover
Check terminal illness cover
Some policies may pay out early if you are diagnosed with a terminal illness.
6 
Think about writing the policy in trust
Think about writing the policy in trust
This may help the payout reach your chosen beneficiaries more quickly.
7 
Review your cover over time
Review your cover over time
Your needs may change if you buy a home, have children or take on new debts.
Good to know
Surely can help you compare life insurance options, but you should always read the policy details carefully before you buy.
Surely FAQ’s
Do I need life insurance?
You may need life insurance if someone depends on you financially. This could be a partner, children, or anyone who would struggle to pay the mortgage, bills, debts or everyday costs if you were no longer around.
Life insurance is often worth considering if you have children, a shared mortgage, a partner who relies on your income, or debts that could affect someone else. It can provide a lump sum to help your loved ones stay financially secure after your death.
You may not need life insurance if nobody depends on your income, you have no major debts, or you already have enough savings or employer cover to protect your family. Life insurance is not a legal requirement for a mortgage in the UK, although some lenders may ask for it as part of their own conditions.
Good to know: Surely can help you compare life insurance options based on your needs, budget and personal circumstances. The right amount of cover depends on what you want the payout to help with, not just the cheapest monthly price.
How much life cover is right for me?
The right amount of life cover depends on what you want the payout to help with. There is no single correct number, because every family’s finances are different.
A simple way to work it out is to add up the main costs your loved ones may need help with, then subtract any savings or existing cover you already have. MoneyHelper says the amount of cover you need can depend on your debts, mortgage or rent, number of dependants and income.
You may want to include:
- Your mortgage or rent
- Outstanding debts
- Day-to-day living costs
- Childcare or education costs
- Funeral costs
- A few years of income replacement
- Any existing savings or employer death-in-service cover
The Surely life insurance calculator can help you determine the amount of cover you might need based on your circumstances.
Good to know: choosing too little cover could leave your family short, but choosing too much could mean paying more than you need. Surely can help you compare life insurance options based on the amount of cover that suits your needs and budget.
Can I change or cancel my life insurance policy?
Yes, you can usually cancel a life insurance policy, but changing it depends on your insurer and the type of policy you have.
Most life insurance policies come with a 30-day cooling-off period. If you cancel during this time, you should usually get back any premiums you have paid, although the insurer may deduct a small amount for the days you were covered.
After the cooling-off period, you can still usually cancel, but you may not get back the premiums you have already paid. MoneyHelper says there are usually no cancellation fees for life insurance, but you should always check your policy terms first.
You may also be able to change parts of your policy, such as your cover amount, policy term or beneficiaries, but this depends on the insurer. Some changes may require new health questions or a new application.
Good to know: if you are replacing an existing policy, do not cancel it until your new cover is in place. This can help avoid a gap where your loved ones are not protected. Aviva gives the same guidance when switching life insurance policies.
What types of life insurance are available?
The main types of life insurance are term life insurance, decreasing life insurance, whole of life insurance, joint life insurance and over-50s life insurance.
Term life insurance covers you for a set number of years and can pay out if you die during that time.
Decreasing life insurance is often used to help protect a repayment mortgage, because the payout usually reduces over time.
Whole of life insurance can cover you for the rest of your life, as long as the policy stays active and premiums are paid.
You can also choose joint life insurance, which covers two people under one policy and usually pays out once, or over-50s life insurance, which is designed for people aged 50 and over.
Good to know: the right type of life insurance depends on what you want to protect, such as your mortgage, your income, your children, or your partner’s financial security. Surely can help you compare options from a wide range of providers.
When does life insurance pay out?
Life insurance usually pays out if you die while your policy is active and a valid claim is made. The money is usually paid as a lump sum to your loved ones or chosen beneficiaries.
A claim may depend on the type of policy you have, whether your monthly payments were up to date, and whether the information given when you applied was accurate. Some policies may also include critical illness cover, which could pay out early if you are diagnosed with a terminal illness that meets the policy terms.
Most life insurance claims are paid. ABI figures show that UK insurers paid 96.5% of new life insurance claims in 2024, with an average payout of £79,703.
Good to know: life insurance may not pay out if the policy has ended, payments were missed, exclusions apply, or important information was missing or incorrect when you applied. Surely helps you compare policies, but you should always read the policy terms before buying.
How much life insurance cover should I choose?
The right amount of life insurance cover depends on what you want the payout to help with. For some people, that means covering a mortgage. For others, it means helping with household bills, childcare, debts, funeral costs or replacing income for a number of years.
A simple way to estimate your cover is:
Mortgage + debts + family living costs + childcare/education + funeral costs – savings or existing cover = possible cover amount
MoneyHelper says the amount of life cover you may need can depend on things like your mortgage or rent, debts, number of dependants and income. It also suggests thinking about whether you already have savings or workplace benefits that could support your family. Use the Surely calculator.
Good to know: choosing too little cover could leave your family short, but choosing too much could mean paying more each month than you need to. Surely can help you compare life insurance options based on your cover amount, policy term and personal circumstances.
