What's the Difference Between Life Insurance and Mortgage Protection?

When thinking about the future, keeping your family and your home safe is often at the top of your mind. Life insurance and mortgage protection insurance are two types of cover that can help provide peace of mind and financial security. While they have some similarities, each serves a different purpose and is designed to meet different needs. Understanding the differences can help you make the right choice to protect your family’s future with confidence. 

What is life insurance?

Life insurance is there to provide financial security for the people who matter most to you if the worst was to happen. It pays out a cash lump sum to your loved ones when you pass away, which can be used however they need it most – whether that be covering household bills, replacing lost income, paying off debts, or supporting future plans.

What is mortgage protection?

Mortgage protection is a form of life insurance designed to help protect your home. It ensures that if you pass away during the policy term, a payout is made to help pay off some or all of your outstanding mortgage. This can give your loved ones the reassurance that they’ll be able to remain in their home without the added worry of mortgage payments.

Which protection do I need?

Types of life insurance

Life insurance comes in different forms, each designed to suit different needs. While mortgage protection insurance is a type of life insurance specifically aimed at covering your home, other life insurance policies provide broader financial support for your family.

• Level term life insurance: Pays a fixed amount if you pass away during the term. Often used to protect family income or cover debts.
• Decreasing term life insurance: Cover reduces over time, usually in line with your mortgage. This is typically mortgage protection insurance.
• Increasing term life insurance: Cover rises over time, often to keep up with inflation.
• Whole of life insurance: Provides cover for your entire lifetime, often used for long-term planning or funeral costs.

Do you need life insurance and mortgage protection insurance?

You don’t have to choose one or the other. In fact, many people decide to take out both life insurance and mortgage protection to create a more complete level of financial security.

Mortgage protection is designed to help ensure your home can be paid off or protected if you pass away, giving your loved ones the reassurance that they can remain in the property. Life insurance, on the other hand, provides a broader safety net, offering a lump sum that can be used to cover everyday living costs, replace lost income, pay off other debts, or support future plans such as education costs.

Combining the two types of cover can help protect both your home and your family’s wider financial wellbeing. The right balance will depend on factors such as your mortgage, income, dependants, and long-term goals.

A LifeSearch adviser can help you understand your options, work out how much cover may be right for you, and explore whether a combined approach makes sense for your individual needs and circumstances.

How much does life insurance and mortgage protection cost?

One of the most common questions people ask is, “how much will it cost?” The simple answer is that there’s no one-size-fits-all price. Costs for any type of insurance vary depending on your age, health, lifestyle, policy type, and the amount of cover you choose.

That said, cover can be more affordable than many people think. Level term life insurance can start from around £3 per month. For example, a 25-year-old non-smoking male could pay £3.73 per month for £100,000 of level term life insurance over a 25-year term*.

Mortgage life insurance (also known as decreasing term insurance) can start from around £3.50 per month. This type of policy is often cheaper than level term cover because the payout reduces over time, typically in line with a repayment mortgage balance. As the potential payout gets smaller, the insurer’s risk reduces, which can mean lower payments.

The exact price you pay will depend on your personal circumstances and the type of cover you choose, but speaking to an adviser can help you understand your options and find cover that fits both your needs and your budget.

Calculate your costs with LifeSearch

To get a personalised estimate for both life insurance and mortgage protection, try our online calculator. It takes just a few minutes and gives you tailored cost guidance based on your details:

Once you have an idea of the cost, a LifeSearch adviser can help you compare policy options from a range of UK insurers so you can find the cover that’s right for you.

Planning ahead isn’t always easy, but having the right protection in place can provide real peace of mind. Whether you’re focused on protecting your family, your home, or both, understanding your options is the first step towards a more secure future. Get in touch with a LifeSearch adviser today to find the right protection for you. 

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