This is your life – look after it
Home >
All >
This is your life – look after it
Only a quarter of Brits have life insurance or critical illness cover policies in place, despite two in five knowing someone who has had a serious accident or been too ill to work, a study1 has found.
Compared to protection for our homes (55%), and travel plans (20%), the take up of insurance policies relating to our own life is surprisingly low (25%). Life insurance provides crucial peace of mind that those we leave behind won’t suffer financially, while Income Protection and Critical Illness Cover are a vital defence against loss of income and serious illness.
Gender puzzle
The study revealed that women are less likely to have cover than men, with 24% of female respondents having no protection policies in place. This is despite only 22% of women saying they don’t think an accident or serious illness will ever stop them from working, lower than the 28% of men who think the same.
The young ones
Meanwhile, the youngest demographic (18 to 24) is the least insured, with 35% having no policies, compared to only 14% of those aged 55 plus. In this unpredictable life, accident or illness can strike at any time – whatever your age, it’s worth thinking about how you or your loved ones would cope should the worst happen.
1Caspian, Aug 2021
It is important to take professional advice before making any decision relating to your personal finances. Information within this document is based on our current understanding and can be subject to change without notice and the accuracy and completeness of the information cannot be guaranteed. It does not provide individual tailored investment advice and is for guidance only. Some rules may vary in different parts of the UK. We cannot assume legal liability for any errors or omissions it might contain. Levels and bases of, and reliefs from, taxation are those currently applying or proposed and are subject to change; their value depends on the individual circumstances of the investor. No part of this document may be reproduced in any manner without prior permission.
The value of investments can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invested. The past is not a guide to future performance and past performance may not necessarily be repeated. If you withdraw from an investment in the early years, you may not get back the full amount you invested. Changes in the rates of exchange may have an adverse effect on the value or price of an investment in sterling terms if it is denominated in a foreign currency.
Information is based on our understanding of taxation legislation and regulations. Any levels and bases of, and reliefs from, taxation are subject to change.
Tax treatment is based on individual circumstances and may be subject to change in the future.
Other Insights of interest
17th September, 2025
Who will inherit your pension?
One in six people with a partner admitted in a recent study1 that they ‘do…
Read full insight
17th September, 2025
‘Squeezed middle’ falling into ‘protection gap’
People in their 30s and 40s are falling into the ‘protection gap,’ new research1 suggests,…
Read full insight
9th September, 2025
Financial empowerment for retirement control
Building financial empowerment is all about the confidence that comes from knowing you are in…
Read full insight
9th September, 2025
Joint, dual, individual: understanding your life insurance options
You’ve opened a joint bank account. You’ve signed up for a joint mortgage. So, a…
Read full insight