Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about Surely and life insurance. Search, or pick a category, to find your answer.
What is Surely?
Surely is a UK life and health insurance comparison service. We help you compare cover and get quotes online from a panel of UK insurers and protection providers. You can read more about us.
Is Surely regulated?
Yes. Surely is operated by PJG Financial Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, FRN 919697.
How does Surely make money?
We may receive a commission from the provider you take out cover with. This does not affect the price you pay for your policy.
Does Surely compare the whole market?
We compare cover from a selected panel of UK insurers and protection providers, rather than the whole of the market.
How do I contact Surely?
You can reach us through our contact page, where you will find the best ways to get in touch.
Is my personal data safe?
We handle your information in line with UK data protection law. See our privacy policy for how we use and protect it.
How do I get a quote?
Answer a few questions about you and the cover you want, and we show you quotes from our panel. You can get a quote here.
Is getting a quote free?
Yes. Getting a quote through Surely is free, and there is no obligation to take out cover.
How long does it take?
Getting a quote usually takes just a few minutes. Setting up a policy can take a little longer if the insurer asks health questions.
Will getting a quote affect my credit score?
No. Getting a life insurance quote does not affect your credit score.
What information do I need to get a quote?
Some basic details, such as your age, smoker status, the cover amount and length you want, and a few health and lifestyle questions.
Do I need a medical exam?
Usually not for a quote. Some policies ask health questions, and occasionally an insurer may request a medical before cover starts.
What is life insurance?
Life insurance pays your family a lump sum, usually tax free, if you die while you are covered. Learn more in our guide to what life insurance is.
How does life insurance work?
You pay a monthly premium, and if you die during the policy, the insurer pays out a lump sum to the people you choose. See how life insurance works.
Do I need life insurance?
It is usually worth it if someone relies on your income, such as a partner or children, or if you have a mortgage. Research by Legal and General puts the average UK household about 19 days from the breadline if its income stops. Read whether you need cover and when.
What types of life insurance are there?
Is life insurance the same as life assurance?
In everyday use, mostly yes. Traditionally, assurance means whole of life cover that is designed to pay out whenever you die, while insurance means term cover that pays only within a set period.
Is life insurance required for a mortgage?
No, it is not a legal requirement. Buildings insurance is the cover lenders insist on. Many people still choose life cover for a mortgage to protect their family.
Can I have more than one life insurance policy?
Yes, there is no limit. Many people hold more than one, for example one for a mortgage and one for the family. See having more than one policy.
What is critical illness cover?
It pays a lump sum if you are diagnosed with a serious illness such as cancer, a heart attack or a stroke. Read about critical illness cover.
What is income protection?
Income protection pays you a regular income if illness or injury stops you working. Learn about income protection.
How much does life insurance cost?
It can start from a few pounds a month and depends on your age, health and the cover you choose. As a guide, decreasing term averages about 17 pounds a month and level term about 25 pounds for 200,000 pounds of cover. See how much life insurance costs.
What affects the price?
Your age, health, smoker status, occupation, and the amount and length of cover you choose all affect the premium.
How much cover do I need?
A common starting point is enough to clear your mortgage and other debts, plus a buffer to support your family. Our average cost guide can help you plan.
Should I choose decreasing or level term cover?
Decreasing cover suits a repayment mortgage, where the balance falls. Level cover suits a family or a fixed debt, where the amount stays the same. Most buyers, around 72 percent, choose level term, even though decreasing is usually cheaper. Both are types of term cover.
Can I get cover with an existing medical condition?
Often yes, though it may affect the price or terms. See cover with existing conditions.
Does smoking affect my premium?
Yes. Smokers usually pay more, and insurers can check. Read how insurers know if you smoke.
Is life insurance cheaper if I buy it younger?
Generally yes, because premiums rise with age and as health changes. See getting cover in your 20s.
Do life insurance claims actually get paid?
Yes. UK insurers have paid at or above 97.9 percent of protection claims every year for the past decade, and the average individual claim paid in 2024 was 18,700 pounds.
Why might a claim be refused?
The main reason is non disclosure, meaning something important was not shared when the policy was taken out. Just over half of the small number of refused claims come down to this. Answering every question honestly is the best way to protect your claim.
Is a life insurance payout taxed?
A payout is usually free of income tax and capital gains tax. It can count towards inheritance tax unless the policy is written in trust.
Should I put my policy in trust?
A trust can be worth considering, depending on your circumstances. It can speed the payout to your family and keep it outside your estate for inheritance tax. See putting life insurance in trust.
Does life insurance cover any cause of death?
It covers most causes, including illness and accidents, as long as you disclosed everything when you applied. Common exclusions are suicide in the first year or two and undisclosed high risk activities.
What happens if I stop paying my premiums?
Cover usually ends after a short grace period, often around 30 days, and no payout would be made. If you are struggling, speak to your insurer before cancelling.
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Written and reviewed by Paul Gillooly, Founder of Surely. Last updated June 2026.
Figures quoted are from published sources: claims and decline data from the Association of British Insurers and GRiD (2024), price averages from myTribe (2026), the share of buyers choosing level term from MoneySuperMarket (2026), and household financial resilience from Legal and General Deadline to Breadline research.
Tax treatment depends on your personal circumstances and can change. Surely is operated by PJG Financial Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, FRN 919697.