How whole life insurance works

“At its best, life is completely unpredictable” - Christopher Walken

Whilst we cannot prevent death, we can ensure that our family is financially protected for when the time comes by taking out life insurance. Whole life insurance (also known as ‘life assurance’) is one of the more popular types of life insurance cover - but who exactly needs it?

In this article, we’ll look at how a whole life insurance policy works and the types of cover available.

What is whole life insurance?

Whole life insurance is a type of insurance policy that provides cover for the remainder of your life (so long as you keep up with your premium payments). Upon your death, a cash lump sum payment is paid to your loved ones, reducing financial burdens during this difficult time. 

How does it work?

Just like any type of life cover, the policy pays out a lump sum when the policy holder dies. The key benefit of whole life policies is that you are covered no matter when you die. Whole life insurance cover can be taken out in two forms:

Standard whole life cover

Standard whole of life insurance is the version that Cavendish Online offers. This product has no investment value, you simply pick how much you would like to be assured for and pay your monthly premiums. This is the simplest form of whole life cover. Your premiums can be guaranteed or reviewable, so discuss your preference with an adviser first. 

To talk to a Cavendish Online adviser about whole of life cover, please call us on:

01392 436193

Unit-Linked whole life cover

This is an investment based product where part of your premium goes towards insuring your life, and part is invested. Unfortunately, Cavendish Online is not authorised to discuss this product with you.

The payout from a whole life insurance policy can be used to help your family with finances such as:

How much does whole life insurance cost?

Generally, whole life coverage is one of the more expensive life insurance options out there. Additional rises in cost are mainly impacted by your age and health among other factors. 

When applying for life insurance cover, your insurance provider will usually ask you to fill out a questionnaire regarding your health and lifestyle. Your provider will want to know information such as your:

• Age
   

• Health
   

• Family medical history
   

• Occupation
   

• Smoker Status

Whilst smoking is bad for your health, it also increases the cost of life insurance - however, some providers will reduce your premiums if you quit smoking. If you wish to save money on whole life insurance, it’s best to take out cover early, as the older you become, the more you will need to pay.

Can I cash in my whole life insurance policy early?

Though it is not a guarantee for all providers, it is possible to cash out your policy if you no longer require coverage. Should you decide to end your policy at any point, a surrender penalty fee will be charged to your policy's value. 

Before taking out a policy, be sure to read the terms and conditions of your insurance agreement. This way, you know whether you can or cannot cash out your policy.

Alternatives to whole life policies

If you find that you don’t need whole life cover, or if it is out of your budget, there are a range of alternatives on offer.

• Term life insurance - Unlike whole life policies, this covers you for a limited period of time known as the ‘policy term’. Premiums for term life insurance tend to be cheaper than for whole life. This makes it an affordable option for providing financial protection for your loved ones. With his type of policy, you can only claim on the policy if you die within the policy term. If you survive the policy term, you will no longer be covered or receive any compensation for the premiums already paid.

There are 3 types of term life cover:

1. Level term - Both the pay-out amount and premium rate remain fixed throughout the policy.
    
2. Decreasing term - Designed to cover large payments like a mortgage. Because of this, the pay-out value decreases as you make repayments overtime.
    
3. Increasing term - Ensures the eventual pay-out maintains its value. To do this, the pay-out value increases overtime. However, your premiums may also rise.

Monthly premiums for term life insurance tend to be cheaper than for whole life. This makes it an affordable option for providing financial protection for your loved ones. 

• Joint life insurance - If you have a partner or spouse, a joint policy may be a better option. A lot of couples prefer a joint policy as it can often work out cheaper and easier to manage than two single policies. Joint life cover usually works on a ‘first death’ basis, in which the policy pays out and ends after the first death in the couple.
   

• Family income benefit - Upon your death, your family begins to receive monthly tax-free payments to cover the loss of income. Like term life insurance, it lasts for a set amount of time.
   

• Death in service benefit -  This is a benefit provided through your employers, whereby if you pass away whilst employed by the company, your family will receive a payout (typically based on a multiple of your salary).

Is life insurance tax-free?

As a general rule, the pay out from a life insurance policy is considered tax-free. However, there is one key instance in which your policy could be subject to inheritance tax bill. When you die, everything you own is considered part of your estate - including a life insurance policy. The payout of your policy will only be taxed if the value of your estate is above the inheritance tax threshold (£325,000 in January 2023)