Why Protection Matters
Building wealth is only half the battle. Protecting it from unexpected events — illness, death, accidents — ensures your hard work benefits you and your loved ones. This isn't pessimistic; it's responsible.
Essential Insurance Types
Life Insurance
Usually Need It
- ✓ Anyone with dependents (children, non-working spouse)
- ✓ Anyone with a mortgage or shared debt
- ✓ Business owners with partners
Usually Don't
- ✗ Single people with no dependents (usually unnecessary)
Types of Life Insurance
Term Life
Cheapest
Covers a fixed period (e.g., 25 years). Pays out only if you die during the term.
Decreasing Term
Mortgage
Payout decreases over time. Matches a repayment mortgage. Very affordable.
Level Term
Family
Fixed payout throughout the term. Good for family income replacement.
Whole of Life
Guaranteed
Covers you until death, guaranteed payout. Much more expensive, often unnecessary.
Income Protection
Often more valuable than life insurance. Pays a percentage of your salary if you can't work due to illness or injury.
- Typically pays 50–70% of income
- Continues until you recover, retire, or die
- Choose a waiting period (4 weeks to 1 year) — longer = cheaper
- Check what sick pay your employer offers first
Critical Illness Cover
Pays a lump sum if diagnosed with a specified serious illness (cancer, heart attack, stroke, etc.).
- One-time payout, not ongoing like income protection
- Can be added to life insurance or bought separately
- Check the policy's list of covered conditions carefully
How Much Cover Do You Need?
Life Insurance Calculation
Common range: 10–15× annual salary for main breadwinner
Writing a Will
Why Everyone Needs a Will
Without a will, intestacy rules decide who gets your assets — often not what you'd choose. A will lets you:
- → Name who inherits what
- → Appoint guardians for children
- → Minimise inheritance tax
- → Appoint trusted executors
- → Leave gifts to charities
How to Get a Will
DIY Will Kits
£10–30
Fine for simple situations with no complex assets.
Online Services
£90–150
Guided process, legally valid. Good for most people.
Solicitor
£150–500+
Best for complex estates, blended families.
Will Aid (November)
Free
Free will from participating solicitors in exchange for charity donation.
Powers of Attorney
Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA)
If you become mentally incapacitated (dementia, stroke, accident), who makes decisions for you?
Property & Financial Affairs LPA
Someone manages your money, pays bills, sells property if needed.
Health & Welfare LPA
Someone makes medical and care decisions on your behalf.
Without LPAs, your family may need costly court proceedings to manage your affairs.
Estate Planning Basics
Inheritance Tax (IHT)
Estates above £325,000 (nil rate band) face 40% tax. Key exemptions:
- Spouse exemption: Transfers between spouses are tax-free
- Residence nil rate band: Extra £175,000 if passing home to children
- 7-year rule: Gifts made 7+ years before death are exempt
- Charity exemption: Leave 10%+ to charity, rate drops to 36%
Simple IHT Planning
- Use your annual £3,000 gift exemption
- Make regular gifts from surplus income
- Consider passing on wealth earlier if comfortable
- Life insurance in trust doesn't count toward estate
Action Steps
- Audit your current insurance (life, income protection, critical illness)
- Calculate how much life cover you need if you have dependents
- Get quotes from comparison sites or a broker
- Write a will if you don't have one
- Consider setting up Lasting Powers of Attorney
- Review beneficiaries on pensions and life insurance
"Put life insurance 'in trust.' It avoids inheritance tax, pays out faster, and is usually free to do when you buy the policy."
One of the highest-value, zero-cost moves in personal finance
Put It Into Practice
Use our Mortgage Calculator to see your outstanding balance — a key input for determining how much life insurance coverage you need.
Try Mortgage Calculator