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Life insurance for police officers UK

Officially, there's no such product as police life insurance.

This is merely a phrase used to describe a standard life insurance policy that covers a police officer.

However, police life insurance could also describe the life cover benefit police officers receive with their pension or through the Police Federation Group Insurance Scheme.

Though the potential pay out from these may be insufficient for your individual needs.

If you feel that you require additional cover, more that is paid through your employment, then a personal life insurance policy may be the solution.

With a separate policy you’ll have peace of mind that, if you were to leave the force, your family are still protected.

At Reassured, we’ve many years of experience helping customers from all walks of life, secure affordable life cover.

Compare multiple quotes today using our fee-free, award-winning broker service.

Keep reading to find out more about life insurance for police officers…

Compare Life Insurance Quotes for Police »

Do police officers get life insurance?

As mentioned, as a member of the police force, you may already receive some form of life insurance cover or death in service benefit through your employment.

This is likely to be a multiple of your salary that pays out in the event of your death.

However, you may find that the amount offered is insufficient for the needs of you and your family.

Particularly if you have dependents who rely on your income.

If you were no longer around, would this amount be sufficient for your family to:

  • Pay the mortgage or rent?
  • Cover daily living costs or household bills?
  • Pay for your funeral?
  • Clear outstanding debts in your name?
  • Cover childcare costs?

A personal life insurance policy could ‘top up’ your death in service benefit to help protect your home and other essential outgoings.

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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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How much does life insurance for police officers cost?

Life insurance for police officers could be arranged through Reassured from just a few pounds each month.

The cost of your premiums will be calculated based on a number of personal factors, as standard with any life insurance application.

The factors will include the following:

  • Age
  • Health/medical history
  • Smoking status
  • Policy type
  • Length of cover
  • Level of cover (sum assured)

The insurer will take these into account to assess the level of risk you pose (and the likelihood of a claim being made).

Your specific role within the police force may also impact the cost of your life insurance.

For example, a firearms specialist is likely to pay higher premiums than a police officer who works mostly in an office.

Specifics of your application will be assessed differently with every insurer, which means quotes will vary.

That’s why it’s important to compare multiple quotes from a variety of insurers.

Save time and money by using our broker service.

Life insurance for police application - what to expect

Depending on your role within the police force, your application may require a little more information.

The underwriter may take into account the following risk factors:

  • If or what hazardous equipment is used e.g. firearms, explosives etc
  • Any dangerous activities or responsibilities e.g. riot control, high-speed pursuits, diving etc
  • If and how often you attend dangerous locations or situations e.g. working at height, confined spaces and/or unstable structures and surfaces
  • If you’ve suffered with mental health issues, psychological stress or trauma

The higher the risk of your role, the more difficult it will be to secure cover at the standard rate.

In some instances, the solution may be a specialist insurer, although this is rare.

Whatever your circumstances, Reassured have access to both market-leading and specialist insurers, so get in touch today to find out your options.

Policy options for police officers

Every policy type is different to suit different requirements.

Your personal circumstances will help determine the policy that’s most suitable.

But what’s helpful, is to know the options available.

If your role within the police force is particularly risky, you may consider term based cover that provides protection during your working life.

These include:


 

Level term life insurance Decreasing term life insurance Family income benefit
One of the most popular forms of cover One of the cheapest forms of cover Helps to replace a lost income
Provides a fixed sum assured which is set at the point of application Provides a decreasing sum assured which is agreed at point of application Helps long-term family budgeting
Fixed monthly premiums Fixed monthly premiums Provides loved ones with a regular, tax free monthly payment
Sum assured up to £1,000,000 Sum assured up to £1,000,000 Fixed, low-cost monthly premiums
Term period from 5 to 40 years Term period from 5 to 40 years Monthly pay out up to £5,000
Can help to cover an interest-only mortgage Can help to cover a repayment mortgage Term period from 5 to 40 years
Proceeds may go beyond covering the mortgage Proceeds will only cover the balance of the mortgage (depending on the original sum assured) Payments continue every month until the end of the policy term
Add on critical illness cover for an extra cost Add on critical illness cover for an extra cost Add on critical illness cover for an extra cost
More expensive than decreasing term Generally the lowest premium Low monthly premiums
Can be written in trust Can be written in trust Can be written in trust
Can be a joint policy Can be a joint policy Can be a joint policy


These types of cover are ideal to have in place during a time when your loved ones will most rely on your income - particularly if you have a mortgage.

So that at any point in your career, if the worst were to happen to you, they’ll receive the financial security they need.

Compare Police Life Insurance Quotes »

Met police life insurance

If you’re a member of the Metropolitan or City of London police, you may already have some form of life cover as part of a Group Insurance Scheme.

Depending on your role, working in or around the capital could present a higher level of danger.

This emphasises the need to have sufficient life insurance in place.

If you feel that you may need additional cover to what’s included in your Group Insurance Scheme, then get in touch with Reassured today.

We could help you secure affordable police life insurance to protect your loved one's financial future today.

Funeral costs in London are the most expensive in the UK. Average cost: £5,283[1]

You could provide your loved ones with additional protection by arranging a funeral plan. A funeral plan allows you to cover the cost of your chosen funeral services ahead of time. It can help to protect your loved ones from unexpected costs when you pass away.

Please note, Reassured are unable to sell funeral plans. If you are looking for a funeral plan we suggest you check the FCA register to find a regulated provider.

Life insurance for retired police officers

Even when you retire from the police force, you may still have some form of life cover in place as part of your benefits package.

This is usually a much smaller amount than if you were a serving member of the force, and usually expires after a certain age.

Retired members of the police force have whole of life cover options available that could provide a much larger pay out and premiums start from just 27p-a-day ± .

Proceeds can be used to help cover your funeral, clear any debts in your name and/or by loved ones to enjoy as an inheritance.

Over 50s plan Whole of life insurance
Whole of life cover Whole of life cover
Guaranteed cash lump sum pay out Guaranteed cash lump sum pay out
No medical questions asked Medical questions asked
Level of cover up to £20,000 (depending on your personal circumstances and budget) Lever of cover up to £1,000,000 (depending on your personal circumstances and budget)
Premium payments for the rest of life (or until your 90th birthday) Premium payments for the rest of life (or until a certain age)
Guaranteed acceptance ages 50 - 85 No waiting period (immediate cover)
Waiting period applies for natural causes of death Can not add critical illness cover
Can not add critical illness cover

Whole of life insurance

A whole of life policy provides cover for the rest of your life.

Which means, when you pass away, your loved ones would receive a cash lump sum pay out.

The drawback of a whole of life policy is that you’ll pay premiums until you pass away, making it possible to pay more into the policy than the sum assured.

That’s why this type of cover is more suited to those in the later stages of life.

With a whole of life policy, your medical history is taken into account.

Which means those in good health will benefit from cheaper premiums than those who suffer with poor health.

Over 50s plan

An over 50s plan is ideal for those who require life insurance but have a poor medical history.

This is because no medical questions are asked on the application.

Factors taken into account to calculate your premiums include your age, whether you smoke and the level of cover you require.

An over 50s plan provides a much lower sum assured than a whole of life policy, up to £20,000 (depending on your age and budget).

However, a pay-out is guaranteed as the cover will remain in place until you pass away.

As with whole of life cover, you’ll need to pay premiums for the rest of your life, or until your 90th birthday.

Contact Reassured today for your free, no-obligation quotes.

Life insurance for police and mental health

According to an iNews article, 77% of police officers reported facing mental health challenges during 2021 with 90% saying it was due to their work[2].

Unfortunately, the pressures of the job have a serious impact on the mental wellbeing of officers.

If you’ve personally struggled with poor mental health, this should be disclosed during application as failure to do so could invalidate your cover.

You may be considered high risk due to the implications of severe depression, anxiety or stress, rather than the presence of the conditions alone.

The individual circumstances of your condition (or history of your condition) will be taken into account on application.

Our award-winning team at Reassured are here to answer any of your questions - simply get in touch today.

Joint life insurance for police officers

Joint life insurance protects two lives simultaneously (such as you and your spouse).

You’ll pay one premium, and the policy pays out only once upon the first or second death.

Generally, a joint policy can save you approximately 25%, compared to two single policies.

Although, a joint policy may not be suitable if you’re a police officer with high-risk responsibilities.

This is because the circumstances of your job may bump up the premium, impacting both parties.

Therefore, this type of cover may be more suited to police officers with low-risk responsibilities who can take full advantage of joint policy savings.

Critical illness cover

As mentioned, it’s possible to add on critical illness cover (CIC) to your life insurance policy through Reassured.

For an additional cost, critical illness cover allows you to make an early claim on your policy if you’re diagnosed with a serious, yet non-life-threatening illness.

Common illnesses covered include certain cancers, heart attack, stroke and MS.

A critical illness pay out can replace a lost income if you’re unable to work as a result of your illness.

Funds can also be used to help make life a little more comfortable during a difficult time, for example making adaptations to the home or hiring a carer.

For your life insurance with critical illness cover quotes, contact the award-winning team at Reassured today.

Terminal illness cover

Term life insurance policies purchased through Reassured come with terminal illness cover as standard.

This means that if you’re diagnosed with a terminal illness and given less than 12 months to live, you can make an early claim on your policy.

The proceeds can be used to help settle your financial affairs, pay for private healthcare or to simply enjoy with loved ones for your remaining time.

Write your life insurance in trust, (avoid or minimise 40% inheritance tax)

Reassured offer a free trust writing service for the majority of life insurance policies we sell.

This process allows you to place someone you trust in charge of your life insurance policy after you pass away.

The trustee will then manage the pay out and distribute the funds according to your wishes, similar to the executor of a will.

Why write your life insurance in trust?

  • Avoid (or minimise) 40% inheritance tax (IHT)
  • Avoid the probate process (loved ones receive funds quicker)
  • Have better control of your policy

Funeral plans for police

The alternative solution to a traditional life insurance policy could be a funeral plan. Please note, Reassured are unable to sell funeral plans. If you are looking for a funeral plan we suggest you check the FCA register to find a regulated provider.

As a police officer, you may struggle to secure affordable life insurance if:

  • Your role within the police is particularly dangerous
  • You suffer with a serious or long term medical condition
  • You’re in the later stages of life
  • You smoke, are overweight or drink excessively

A combination of these factors could result in expensive premiums or declination of your application.

However, there is still the matter of protecting your loved ones if anything were to happen to you whilst at work.

You could consider a funeral plan to protect your loved ones from the extortionate cost of a funeral.

A funeral plan allows you to plan and pay for your own funeral in advance - so your loved ones don’t have to.

Funeral plan key features:

  • Covers the cost of your chosen funeral services in advance
  • Allows you to arrange your own funeral so that it’s carried out according to your wishes
  • Guarantees acceptance to UK applicants (min and max age ranges will apply)

Compare life insurance for police quotes

Whether you’re a police constable, chief inspector, fire-arms specialist or community support officer - life insurance is pretty essential if you have a family and home to protect.

At Reassured, we can help you secure suitable life insurance today.

We can compare multiple quotes from a variety of providers, to ensure you receive a great deal.

Why not make the most of our fee-free and FCA-regulated broker service today?

Get in touch with our friendly team to get started on your life insurance journey.

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Sources:

[1] https://www.sunlife.co.uk/funeral-costs/

[2] https://inews.co.uk/news/uk/more-than-three-quarters-police-officers-struggled-with-mental-health-last-year-report-finds-1119989

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