Life insurance, also referred to as term assurance, is a simple, popular and cost effective way to help protect your family financially in the event of your death. If you die during the term of your life insurance policy, or you are diagnosed and are eligible to claim for a terminal illness (although not in the last 18 months of the plan), a lump sum will be paid.
How much life insurance cover should I get?
You choose how much life insurance you buy. People often want their policies to pay out a multiple of their salary or the value of their mortgage. You may have dependants to think of, or an unprotected loan to cover. Many employers provide up to four times your salary as life cover. This may not be enough to maintain your family's present standard of living; if you are unsure please contact a financial adviser who will help you decide on the appropriate level of life insurance cover for your personal circumstances.
Can I increase my life cover later on?
If you want to increase the amount of life cover you have then you can use the Guaranteed Insurability Option (GIO). This is subject to certain conditions as is detailed in the Key Features Document. Otherwise you can apply for a new policy for the additional amount of life cover you require.
How do you calculate my life insurance premiums?
We calculate your life insurance premiums based mainly on your age, your gender, your occupation, whether you smoke, your medical history, the level of cover you need, how long you need the cover for and the type of contract that you choose. For example, the older you are, the higher your premium will be.
How much does life insurance cost?
Life insurance premiums start from just £5 a month. Your cover will depend on your individual circumstances and needs and the premium you choose to pay. There are no hidden extras. Why not get a quote for online life insurance right now?
If we decide to take out a joint life policy will the sum assured be paid twice?
No, if the plan covers two people it will only pay out once. This would be when the first of you dies or becomes eligible for terminal illness cover whichever comes first. The policy will then end and no further benefits will be payable.
What is level term life insurance?
Level term means the amount you are insured for remains the same throughout the term of your policy unless you exercise a GIO. This policy includes terminal illness cover at no extra charge.
What is mortgage term insurance?
Mortgage term insurance (mortgage life cover) offers you reassurance that in the event of your death, or diagnosis of a terminal illness, there will be help paying off the mortgage. It is not connected to the mortgage itself or the repayments you make on it. You will pay a fixed monthly premium for the term (length of time) you have chosen. This policy includes terminal illness cover at no extra charge.
What is mortgage decreasing term insurance?
Mortgage decreasing term insurance is where the amount you are insured for decreases over time. Since your monthly premium is fixed but the sum you are insured for decreases roughly in line with your repayment mortgage amount, it's generally cheaper than mortgage term insurance. In some circumstances, the lump sum paid out may not be enough to pay off your repayment mortgage in full, for example if your mortgage interest rate averages over 10% during the term of the plan. This policy includes terminal illness cover at no extra charge.
What is terminal illness cover?
Terminal illness cover will pay out the full amount if you are diagnosed with a terminal illness with less than six months or more to live as a result of incapacity due to an illness or accident, rather than when you die. You'll need to be eligible to claim and to have chosen a policy term of two or more years. Terminal illness cover is automatically included in your policy at no extra charge, but does not apply in the last 18 months of the term.
What if I become ill and cannot pay my life insurance premiums?
If you're concerned about the possibility of being unable to pay your premiums due to not being able to work for six months or more as a result of incapacity due to an illness or accident, you should consider Waiver of Premium option at the outset. If you choose to take out this option on your life insurance or mortgage insurance, your premium will be waived after 26 weeks if you suffer from an illness or accident. Terms and conditions apply. Please refer to the Key Features Document for further information.
How can you help me on moving day?
If you take out mortgage term or mortgage decreasing term insurance to cover a new mortgage, your plan includes SmoothMove at no extra cost. SmoothMove is a 24 hour rescue service to help with unexpected hitches on moving day. It also covers you for up to three months for domestic emergency repairs and legal advice after you have moved in. Inter Partner Assistance, one of the largest international emergency assistance organisations, provides the SmoothMove Insurance plan.
Sainsbury's Finance is a trading name of Sainsbury's Bank plc. Sainsbury's Bank plc, registered office 33 Holborn London EC1N 2HT
(registered in England no. 3279730) is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.
