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
9th July, 2025
Why life insurance matters
Taking out life insurance is a crucial step in protecting what matters most — your…
Read full insight
9th July, 2025
Economic Review June 2025
Survey points to modest second-quarter growth Data released last month by the Office for National…
Read full insight
3rd July, 2025
HNWIs face gaps in retirement and succession planning
Many high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) have yet to establish retirement or succession plans, even though they…
Read full insight
25th June, 2025
Residential Property Review – June 2025
May sales hit post-2022 high as housing market regains momentum Rightmove says May 2025 was…
Read full insight