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Life insurance comparison UK

Just as if you were shopping for any other form of insurance, comparing multiple life insurance quotes is essential in finding the best deal.

From comparing different policy types to comparing insurers and premium prices, every little helps when looking for the right policy to meet your needs (at a price that’s within your budget).

Reassured can help you conduct a free life insurance comparison from our panel of top UK insurers, including:

This article also includes information about insurers that we don’t work with, such as Royal London, British Seniors and Co-op. The information has been taken from each insurers website and is correct as of 09/04/26.

We can save you time and money by comparing quotes and presenting you with our best available deals.

Quotes are fee-free, without obligation and start from just £5 per month, so why not get in touch?

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Comparing life insurance [quick summary]

  • Compare price and policy terms and conditions. Each insurer uses a different criteria when assessing your application (known as the underwriting process) so what’s offered and the price you’ll pay can vary significantly.
  • Compare policy types. Comparing all available options (term, whole of life, life with critical illness cover, over 50s life insurance) can help you find the best option for your needs.
  • Compare single vs joint life insurance. If you and your partner are both looking for cover, you could save money by taking out a joint policy. Or you could secure a greater level of cover by each taking out a single policy. Comparing both options can help you find the right solution for your needs and budget.
  • Compare additional benefits. While the main aim of life insurance is to pay out to your loved ones after your passing, many policies include additional features that could be beneficial to you during your lifetime or for your loved ones after your passing (such as health and wellness support, bereavement support, terminal illness cover, a free gift and more).
  • Compare life insurance using a broker. A broker can help you to compare multiple quotes at once, saving you valuable time and money.

Life insurance price comparison

A life insurance price comparison can help you to find your cheapest quotes.

However, it’s important to be aware that the quotes you receive will be based on your personal circumstances.

This is because, as part of the standard application process, you’ll be required to provide key information about yourself and your chosen policy. This includes:

  1. Age
  2. Smoking status
  3. Health & wellbeing
  4. Occupation
  5. Lifestyle
  6. Policy type
  7. Sum assured (how much cover you take out)
  8. Policy term (how long your policy lasts for)

The exception to this an over 50s plan where no medical information is required. Instead, the price you pay will be based on your age, level of cover and (sometimes) your smoking status.


Below is a life insurance rates comparison for each policy type:

Level term life insurance

The pricing table below is based on a non-smoker, in good health, for a level term life insurance policy with a 20 year term and £150,000 of cover:

Age Aviva Legal & General Scottish Widows
20£4.26£5.53£5.63
25£5.14£5.97£6.65
30£6.41£7.57£7.71
35£9.20£10.53£9.60
40£12.74£14.58£13.21
45£19.03£21.89£19.64
50£32.01£34.49£30.44

Decreasing term life insurance

The pricing table below is based on a non-smoker, in good health, for a decreasing term life insurance policy with a 20 year term and £150,000 of cover:

Age Aviva Legal & General Scottish Widows
20£3.90£5.55£5.00
25£4.38£5.88£5.00
30£5.09£6.37£5.80
35£5.98£7.60£7.36
40£7.90£10.11£9.51
45£11.34£14.49£13.18
50£18.39£22.66£19.27

Whole of life insurance

The pricing table below is based on a non-smoker, in good health, for a whole of life insurance policy with £50,000 of cover:

Age Vitality Royal London Legal & General
20£8.24£23.85£26.30
25£9.10£27.13£26.30
30£9.48£31.38£28.10
35£12.76£36.40£39.65
40£15.11£43.27£44.70
45£18.18£50.64£53.20
50£21.49£56.92£63.10

Over 50 life insurance

The pricing table below is based on a non-smoker, in good health, for an over 50s plan with £5,000 of cover:

Age

  One Family

SunLife

50

£11.00

£12.72

55

£13.00

£14.47

60

£15.00

£15.91

65

£18.00

£19.21

70

£25.00

£25.17

75

£36.00

£35.26

80

£56.00

£48.36

85

N/A
(One Family’s maximum age is 80)

£72.10

Life insurance with critical illness cover

The pricing table below is based on a non-smoker, in good health, for a life insurance with critical illness cover policy, with a 20 year term, and £50,000 of cover:

Age Aviva Legal & General LV=
20£9.54£10.41£11.88
25£12.23£12.81£14.76
30£15.64£16.15£18.76
35£20.98£21.30£24.67
40£29.32£28.88£33.11
45£41.84£40.45£47.76
50£61.20£60.40£68.86

Joint life insurance

The pricing table below is based on non-smokers, in good health, for a joint level term life insurance policy with a term of 20 years and £150,000 of cover:

Age

Aviva

Legal & General

Scottish Widows

20

£7.20

£8.22

£10.64

25

£9.32

£9.68

£12.68

30

£12.06

£13.39

£14.76

35

£16.18

£18.52

£18.60

40

£23.28

£27.11

£25.66

45

£35.40

£40.99

£38.38

50

£60.62

£65.39

£59.76

At Reassured we can help you find a great deal on a policy that meets your needs. Our award-winning broker service is fee-free to use, so why not get in touch?

Life insurance policy comparison

If you’ve just started on your journey of securing life cover, you may wonder what policy options are available and how they differ.

The most popular forms of life insurance include:

Below is a comparison table comparing each policy type:

 Level term life insuranceDecreasing term life insuranceWhole of life insuranceOver 50s life insurance
Policy description
  • Provides cover for a set term (for example, 40 years)
  • A lump sum pay out is made if you pass away during the term
  • Pay out remains level (stays the same) throughout the policy term
  • Maximum sum assured up to £1,000,000
  • Medical information required during the application process
  • Terminal illness cover included at no extra cost
  • Available from £5 per month
  • Provides cover for a set term (for example, 40 years)
  • A lump sum pay out is made if you pass away during the term
  • Pay out decreases throughout the policy term
  • Maximum sum assured up to £1,000,000
  • Medical information required during the application process
  • Terminal illness cover included at no extra cost
  • Available from £5 per month¥

 

  • Provides cover for the rest of your life
  • A lump sum pay out is made when you pass away (not if)
  • Pay out remains level (the same throughout the policy term
  • Maximum sum assured up to £1,000,000
  • Medical information is required during the application process±
  • Provides cover for the rest of your life
  • A lump sum pay out is made when you pass away (not if)
  • Pay out remains level (the same throughout the policy term
  • Maximum sum assured up to £20,000
  • Acceptance is guaranteed (to UK residents aged 50 – 85) and no medical information is required
  • Available from £5 per month+

The policy that’s best for you will ultimately depend on your personal circumstances and what you’d like to cover.

Why not use an experienced broker, like Reassured, to compare fee-free quotes?

Calculator

How much life insurance do you need?

Before conducting a comparison of life insurance, why not work out how much cover you might need? Simply fill in the fields which apply to you for an instant calculation.

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£137,934 is the estimated mortgage debt per household in the UK.

The purchase of a home is likely to be the largest financial commitment any of us will make in our lifetime. Your life insurance should cover your remaining mortgage balance to allow your loved ones to stay in the family home should anything happen to you.

Source: Moneynerd.co.uk

£
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The average monthly household budget in the UK is £2,548 (that’s £30,576 per year), which is spent on transport, food & drink, utilities (gas, electricity, water etc), clothing, council tax and leisure activities.

With energy prices hitting a record high and the cost of living rising sharply in the UK, you may wish to factor in utility bills and family living expenses into your cover.

Source: Nimblefins.co.uk

£
?

The average personal debt of UK adults has risen to £34,566 (not including mortgage debt), with credit cards, personal loans and overdrafts being the most common forms of debt.

Factoring in any debts into your life insurance cover means that, if they need to be paid back from your estate after your passing, your loved ones won’t miss out financially.

Source: Money.co.uk

£
?

According to SunLife, the average cost of a funeral in the UK is £3,953 (with the overall cost of dying at £9,200).

Funeral costs have increased by 116% since 2004 and are a significant cost which should be factored into the amount of life insurance you secure.

Source: SunLife.co.uk

£
?

When factoring in cover for your children, you may wish to calculate the amount based on how long it is until they reach financial independence.

This could include childcare (£7,000 per year for part-time care), school expenses (£1,519 per school year for uniforms, lunches, stationary etc), as well as an additional sum for further education (this could be a contribution of up to £5,000 per year).

Sources: Daynurseries.co.uk, Primarytimes.co.uk & Savethestudent.org

£
?

2 in 5 adults say they are relying on an inheritance to fund their retirement.

Factoring in an inheritance to your sum assured could allow loved ones to live a more financially comfortable life. Alternatively, you could leave a cash gift to a charity of your choosing.

Source: Moneyage.co.uk

£
?

If you’re lucky enough to have your own savings or are part of the 30% of UK residents who already have a life insurance policy in place, this can provide financial protection for loved ones.

By entering your current cover, savings or death in service amount you can reduce the sum assured you require.

Source: Scottishbusinessnews.net

£ -

Your total cover estimate

£ 0

Let us help you find our best quotes.

Which life insurance comparison factors matter most?

  • Policy terms and conditions – each insurer offers different terms and conditions, from maximum age limits, to how long your policy term can be and how much cover you can take out. It’s important to find out about all your options so that you’re taking out a policy that really meets your needs.
  • Price – price is also a factor that can vary between providers. This is due to the different underwriting processes that are used. During the underwriting process, your eligibility for cover is assessed and the price you’ll pay is calculated. Shopping around can help you to find the best price for your personal circumstances.
  • Features and benefits – life insurance policies often come with additional features and benefits to help you get the most of your cover. Some insurers may offer more features than others and some may offer them for free while others may charge you an extra fee.
  • Free gift – some insurers offer a free gift when you take out a policy. This shouldn’t be your main incentive for taking out a policy through a certain provider but if the insurer you think is right for your needs happens to be offering a free gift, it’s a nice extra.

Level term life insurance comparison

Level term life insurance covers you for a set term and pays out if you pass away during this time.

Your cover amount remains the same (level) throughout the policy term. For this reason, it’s a popular choice for protecting large costs such as paying off the mortgage and/or covering family living costs.

Recent data shows that UK households are spending £2,870 per month[1] to cover essential living costs.

It’s important to consider whether your family could continue with their current standard of living without your income. Level term life insurance could provide you with peace of mind that your family are protected if you were no longer around.

Below we have compared level term life insurance from some of the UK’s top insurers:

InsurerAge limitsPolicy termPolicy features
Aviva 18 - 77Minimum of 1 year up to a maximum of 50 years. Policy must end by your 91st birthday
  • Separation benefit
  • House purchase cover
  • Aviva DigiCare+ app
  • Free parent cover
  • Free terminal illness cover
Legal & General 18 - 77Minimum of 1 year up to a maximum of 50 years. Policy must end by your 90th birthday
  • support (provided by RedArc Assured Limited)
  • Guaranteed insurability option
  • Accidental death benefit
  • Free life cover (if you’re moving home, up to a maximum of 90 days)
  • Free terminal illness cover
Scottish Widows 18 - 79Minimum of 1 year up to a maximum of 52 years. Policy must end by your 90th birthday
  • Scottish Widows Care included
  • Free accidental death cover while we process your application
  • Free mortgage cover while we process your application
  • Cover for children up to 22 years old
LV= 17 - 84Minimum of 5 years up to a maximum of 50 years. Policy must end by your 90th birthday
  • LV= doctors service
  • Guaranteed insurability option
  • Free terminal illness cover
Royal London 18 - 705 - 50
(cover must cease by age 80)
  • Payment holiday
  • Guaranteed insurability option
  • Free terminal illness cover
Zurich 16 - 83Minimum of 1 year up to a maximum of 50 years. Policy must end by age 89
  • Milestone benefit (guaranteed insurability)
  • Separation benefit
  • Multi-fracture cover
  • Free terminal illness cover

The information above has been taken from each insurers website and is correct as of 09/04/26. We don’t work with Royal London. While some insurers offer cover to those aged 16 and 17, Reassured only provide cover to those aged 18 and over.

As you can see from the table above, the terms and conditions and additional benefits can vary between insurers.

This highlights the importance of comparing quotes to find the most suitable option for your needs.

Contact Reassured for your free level term life insurance comparison. We can provide you with quotes from leading insurers like Aviva, Legal & General, LV= and Scottish Widows.

Decreasing term life insurance comparison

Decreasing term life insurance protects you for a set term and pays out if you pass away during this time.

Your cover amount reduces throughout the policy term, often at the same rate as a repayment mortgage. It’s most commonly taken out to help protect this cost.

Below we have compared decreasing term life insurance from some of the UK’s top insurers:

InsurerAge limitsPolicy termPolicy features
Aviva 18 - 77Minimum of 1 year up to a maximum of 50 years. Policy must end by your 91st birthday
  • Separation benefit
  • House purchase cover
  • Aviva DigiCare+ app
  • Free parent cover
  • Free terminal illness cover
Legal & General 18 - 74Minimum of 5 years up to a maximum of 50 years. Policy must end by your 90th birthday
  • Wellbeing support (provided by RedArc Assured Limited)
  • Accidental death benefit
  • Make changes to your policy
  • Free life cover (if you’re moving home, up to a maximum of 90 days)
  • Free terminal illness cover
Scottish Widows 18 - 79Minimum of 1 year up to a maximum of 52 years. Policy must end by your 90th birthday
  • Scottish Widows Care included
  • Free accidental death cover while we process your application
  • Free mortgage cover while we process your application
  • Cover for children up to 22 years old
LV= 18 - 84Minimum of 5 years up to a maximum of 50 years. Policy must end by your 89th birthday
  • LV= doctors service
  • Make changes to your policy
  • Free terminal illness cover
Royal London 18 - 70Minimum of 5 years up to a maximum of 50 years. Policy must end by age 80
  • Payment holiday
  • Guaranteed insurability option
  • Free terminal illness cover
Zurich 16 - 83Minimum of 1 year up to a maximum of 50 years. Policy must end by age 89
  • Milestone benefit
  • Separation benefit
  • Multi-fracture cover
  • Free terminal illness cover

The information above has been taken from each insurers website and is correct as of 09/04/26. We don’t work with Royal London. While some insurers offer cover to those aged 16 and 17, Reassured only provide cover to those aged 18 and over.

Comparing decreasing term life insurance can help you to find the best option. Through our comparison service you could also compare level vs decreasing term life insurance to ensure you’re getting the right cover for your needs.

Whole of life insurance comparison

Whole of life insurance lifelong cover, paying out when you pass away (rather than if you pass away during a set term).

As cover lasts for life, it’s often used as part of inheritance tax planning. When a policy is written in trust it can help to cover any inheritance tax bills on your estate, which is made up of your property, possessions and savings (inheritance tax is charged at 40% on any value that takes your estate over the threshold of £325,000[2]).

Alternatively, the pay out is often left as an inheritance for loved ones to spend as they wish.

Not all UK insurers offer whole of life insurance which is something to keep in mind if you’re interested in this form of cover.

Below we have compared whole of life insurance from some of the UK’s top insurers:

InsurerAge limitsPolicy features
Zurich 16 - 83
  • Can be taken out on a joint basis
  • Terminal illness cover
  • Free cover during underwriting
  • Milestone benefit
  • Make changes to your policy
  • Waiver of premium can be added for an extra cost
Legal & General 18 - 84
  • Can be taken out on a joint basis
  • Make changes to your policy
  • Waiver of premiums can be added for an extra cost
Royal London 18 - 89
  • Helping hand service (giving you access to health and wellbeing support)
  • Make changes to your policy
  • Waiver of premiums can be added for an extra cost

The information above has been taken from each insurers website and is correct as of 09/04/26. While some insurers offer cover to those aged 16 and 17, Reassured only provide cover to those aged 18 and over.

At Reassured, our advised team can help you compare whole of life insurance from the whole of the market. Simply get in touch for your fee free quotes.

Over 50 life insurance comparison

Over 50 life insurance (an over 50s plan) guarantees acceptance to those aged 50 - 85 without asking for medical information during the application process.  

Policies include a 12 or 24 month waiting period at the beginning of the policy where a pay out won’t be made if you pass away due to natural causes. Most policies will cover accidental death during this time. 

Once the waiting period has passed you’ll be fully covered and a pay out will be made when you pass away. 

The maximum pay out is smaller than other forms of cover. For this reason, it’s often used to help cover funeral costs (average cost of a traditional attended funeral is currently £4,510[3]) or provide a small inheritance for loved ones.

Below we have compared over 50s life insurance from some of the UK’s top insurers:

InsurerAge limitsPolicy features
SunLife 49 - 85
  • 1 year waiting period
  • Accidental death cover
  • Funeral benefit option + a £250 contribution (only available with policies taken out directly through SunLife)
  • Premium payments stop when you pass away or on the policy anniversary date after your 95th birthday
  • Free access to health & wellbeing services provided by RedArc
OneFamily 50 - 80
  • 2 year waiting period
  • Free terminal illness cover
  • Accidental death cover
  • Funeral funding benefit + a £300 contribution
  • Premium payments cease at age 90
British Seniors 50 - 80
  • 1 year waiting period
  • Accidental death cover
  • Funeral funding benefit + a £300 contribution
  • Premium payments stop when you pass away or on the policy anniversary date after your 95th birthday
  • Free access to health & wellbeing services
Co-op 50 - 80
  • 1 year waiting period
  • Accidental death cover
  • Premium payments cease at age 90
  • Free access to wellbeing support & later life care advice

The information above has been taken from each insurers website and is correct as of 09/04/26. We don’t work with British Seniors or Co-op.

By comparing multiple over 50s plans you can find the right one for your personal circumstances. We can help you compare quotes from leading insurers, SunLife and OneFamily, free of charge.

Why Reassured icon

Why compare life insurance through Reassured?

  • We’re the UK’s largest life insurance broker * with over 15 years’ experience
  • We’re rated as  ‘Excellent’ by our customers on Trustpilot with over 90,000 customer reviews
  • We can help you compare multiple life insurance quotes at once from leading UK insurers
  • We offer a free trust writing service to help your loved ones avoid/minimise 40% inheritance tax (available with most policies)
  • We’re regulated by the FCA (Financial Conduct Authority)
  • We offer affordable cover starting from £5 per month

Life insurance and critical illness cover comparison

Critical illness cover can be added to your life insurance policy for an additional cost.

When critical illness cover is added to life insurance it means the policy could pay out if you fall seriously ill (with a specific condition) pass away during the policy term.

A pay out from critical illness cover could help to replace lost income while you’re unable to work, pay for private treatment or make adaptions to your home.

Around 30 conditions are covered covered by critical illness cover, including cancer, heart attack and stroke, but this number can vary between providers.

Below we have compared life insurance and critical illness cover from some of the UK’s top insurers:

InsurerAvailable toNumber of conditions covered
Aviva 18 - 6452 conditions
Legal & General 18 - 6736 conditions
LV= 17 - 5939 conditions
Royal London 18 - 6948 conditions
Zurich 16 - 6939 conditions

The information is correct as of 09/04/26. We don’t work with Royal London. While some insurers offer cover to those aged 16 and 17, Reassured only provide cover to those aged 18 and over.

As you can see, the number of conditions covered can vary significantly between providers. Comparing quotes can help you to find a comprehensive solution.

Reassured can help you compare life insurance with critical illness cover quotes starting from just 33p-a-dayº.

Joint life insurance comparison

Joint life insurance protects two lives under one policy, allowing the policyholders to save money as there’s only one premium to pay.

It’s often a popular choice for couples who have shared assets to protect, such as a mortgage.

If one partner passes away during the policy term, the pay out will go to the surviving partner. Once a pay out has been made, the policy will expire.

Below we have compared the price of joint life insurance compared to two single policies.

Quotes are based on non-smokers in good health for a level term life insurance policy with a 20 year term and £150,000 of cover

Age

Joint life insurance

Two single policies

Price difference (%)

20

£7.20

£8.52

-15%

25

£9.32

£10.28

-9%

30

£12.06

£12.82

-6%

35

£16.18

£18.40

-11%

40

£23.28

£25.48

-9%

45

£35.40

£38.06

-8%

50

£59.76

£60.44

-1%

While joint life insurance could help you to save money initially, once a pay out has been made and the policy has expired, the surviving partner may need to seek out a new policy to meet their new circumstances.

It’s wise to compare prices for joint life insurance and two single policies to make sure you’re getting a comprehensive solution for your needs.

Reassured top tips

Reassured’s top 5 life insurance comparison tips

  • Compare a range of policy types to ensure you’re getting the right cover to meet your needs
  • Get as many quotes as possible to get the best deal
  • Consider comparing joint life insurance with two single policies if both you and your partner are looking for cover
  • Compare quotes sooner rather than later to lock in the most affordable life insurance premium
  • Consider using a broker for your life insurance comparison. You’ll have a dedicated expert that can answer your questions and provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision

Life insurance companies’ ratings comparison

It can be useful to read reviews and ratings for life insurance companies to help you make a decision about who to take out a policy with.

The table below shows a range of ratings for some of the UK’s leading insurers. We have used the following ratings:

Insurer Defaqto Fairer Finance Trustpilot
Royal London 5 – 2 stars (depending on policy type)86%4.7 stars (based on all serviced)
Aviva 5 – 2 stars (depending on policy type)84%4.3 stars (based on all services)
Legal & General 5 – 3 stars (depending on policy type)77%4.3 stars (based on all services)
LV= 5 – 2 stars (depending on policy type)75%4.6 stars (based on all services)
Zurich 5 – 3 stars (depending on policy type)71%3.5 stars (based on all services)
Scottish Widows 5 – 2 stars (depending on policy type)68%4.5 stars (based on all services)

The information used in this table is correct as of 09/04/26. We don’t work with Royal London. Please note that Trustpilot scores are based on all products offered by these insurers and aren’t specific to life insurance.

Why not read our best life insurance providers guide where we break down insurer reviews and ratings in more detail? »

Online life insurance quotes comparison

It’s now possible to compare life insurance quotes online, quickly, easily and at your own convenience.

You’ll have access to a range of quotes at your fingertips, allowing you to choose the one that’s right for your needs and budget.

Buy life insurance online

Compare life insurance quotes online with Reassured 

Reassured offer an online quote comparison service, allowing you to benefit from:

  • Instant quotes from top UK insurers
  • The choice between level or decreasing term cover
  • Free terminal illness cover with all term life policies
  • Fast, free and no-obligation quotes

Head over to our dedicated buy life insurance online page for more information.

Compare life insurance [find our best deals]

At Reassured, our main aim is to help you find the right policy to meet your needs at our best price.

We do this by comparing quotes from our panel of leading insurers and presenting you with the most suitable options.

A friendly member of our team will also be with you each step of the way to provide support.

Alternatively, we offer an online quote comparison service - allowing you to quickly and easily compare quotes and secure a policy at your own leisure.

Take the first steps in financially protecting your loved ones and get in touch today. Quotes are fee-free and without obligation.

Life insurance FAQs

What is life insurance?

Life insurance is a financial protection policy that pays out if you pass away during the policy term.

It can help to provide your loved ones with vital funds when they need it most.

The lump sum pay out is often used to help cover funeral costs, pay off the mortgage and help your family with their living costs.

What is the difference between level term and decreasing term life insurance?

The difference between level term life insurance and decreasing term life insurance is that with level term life insurance your pay out amount remains the same, whereas with decreasing term life insurance it reduces over the policy term.

They both cover you for a set term and pay out if you pass away during this time.

Level term life insurance is typically used to help cover large expenses, while decreasing term life insurance is a popular choice for protecting a repayment mortgage as your cover amount can reduce at the same rate as your mortgage balance.

What is the difference between term life insurance and whole of life insurance?

The difference between term life insurance and whole of life insurance is that term life protects you for a set term, whereas whole of life insurance protects you for the rest of your life.

With term life insurance a pay out is made if you pass away during the policy term but whole of life insurance will pay out no matter when you pass away.

Due to providing lifelong cover, whole of life insurance is more expensive than term life insurance.

How much life insurance do you need?

How much life insurance you need will depend on what you want to protect.

For example, if you’re taking out life insurance to protect your mortgage, your cover amount could reflect your remaining mortgage balance.

Alternatively, if you’re taking out life insurance to protect your family, your cover amount could be a few years worth of your salary to allow them to get back on their feet after your passing.

You could use our handy calculator tool on this page to input your key costs and financial commitments to work out your ideal cover amount.

Sources:

RedArc is a support service that isn’t regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. These services aren’t part of the terms and conditions of the SunLife Guaranteed Over 50 Plan and may be amended or withdrawn at any time

[1] https://www.nimblefins.co.uk/average-uk-household-budget 

[2] https://www.gov.uk/inheritance-tax

[3] https://www.sunlife.co.uk/siteassets/documents/cost-of-dying/sunlife-cost-of-dying-report-2026.pdf