What is the best over 50 life insurance?

The best over 50 life insurance plan will give you the life cover you want at the right price. Whilst many come with a free gift, this doesn't necessarily mean it's the best plan for you. It's important to review and compare leading plans and with monthly payments starting from £4 with Sunlife, they could be more affordable than you think.

This guide will show you what to look for, how to get quotes, compare and review the key features; it's 5 minute read and a good place to start your research.

Updated 14th November 2023

compare over 50 life insurance

Over 50 life insurance is a type of life insurance that is specifically designed for people over the age of 50. It can be more affordable compared to other types of life insurance and typically easier to qualify for as there are no health or lifestyle questions to answer.

However, other types of life insurance are available which may be more suitable. Therefore, being aware of the options available will help you find the right life insurance for you.

Top tip: If you have an existing medical condition or have been diagnosed with a life limiting condition, then over 50s life insurance could be a good idea, as there are no medical questions and you are guaranteed to be accepted.

Compare over 50 life insurance

Comparing over 50 life insurance will help you choose the best plan for you. Before choosing a plan, you can compare and review companies based on the level of cover, premiums, and any additional benefits that suits your needs.

The table below is designed to help you compare plans. In addition to highlighting key features of some of the UKs leading over 50 providers, it also gives you the opportunity to get as many free quotes as you need.

The latest top deals

Plan Provider Monthly from Free gift Full cover payable after Free funeral cover Get a Quote
SunLife £4 £110 gift card 12 months £250 contribution Sunlife calculator*
One Family £10 No gift card 24 months £300 contribution One Family calculator
British Seniors £4.32 £135 gift card 12 months £300 contribution Brit Seniors calculator
Shepherds Friendly £10 £50 gift card 24 months £300 contribution Shepherds calculator
Aviva £5 £0 gift card 12 months None Aviva calculator
Legal & General £5 £120 gift card 12 months £250 contribution L&G calculator
Post Office £5 £100 gift card  12 months £250 contribution Post Office calculator

This information is correct as at 25/10/23 and has been compiled from each insurer's website to help you make your own comparison.

What to look out for when comparing plans

To find the best over 50 life insurance, it helps to consider the things that are important to you. Policies vary depending on the provider so to find the right over 50 plan for you, it’s important to understand the ways plans differ:

Age limits – the majority of plan providers have an age range of 50 to 80. However, there are some companies that have a maximum age limit of 75 and SunLife have the oldest threshold of 85.

Minimum premium – this is the lowest monthly premium you can pay for cover and typically ranges from £4 to £10. Rather than immediately opting for a cheap plan, it is worth comparing quotes to see how much cover you can get for your money.

Waiting period – the waiting period before you can claim for the full amount of life cover varies between 1 to 2 years. However, some companies do offer immediate cover for accidental death.

Premiums payable period – some companies require you to pay your premiums for life whereas others have premiums that cease on your 90th birthday but the cover continues.

Cover level – the amount of life cover you can get for your premium will also vary, which is why comparing over 50 life insurance quotes is important when looking for the best deals.

Smoker vs non-smoker – some providers will want to know your smoking status. As a non-smoker these companies could offer you a better deal but it may be best for smokers to look elsewhere.

Funeral benefit option – this free option means your money is paid to a specified funeral director when you die to help with funeral costs instead of to your beneficiaries. In return, the funeral director will also contribute an amount towards the total cost when the time comes. Typically it is £250 to £300 but it will vary by provider.

Free welcome gift – many companies offer a free gift as an incentive for choosing their plan which will vary depending on the provider. Whilst a free gift is a nice gesture, it should never be the main reason for choosing a plan.

Over 50 life insurance quotes

Once you know what over 50 life insurance provides, shopping around for a quote can be a good idea. Access to providers couldn’t be easier as they all offer online calculators that provide you with a quick quote, showing premiums and benefits to help you find the best deals.

Top tip: When comparing over 50 life insurance quotes, look beyond monthly premiums and the cash sum benefit. All plans will offer guaranteed cover with no medical questions, but you should look at all aspects of the plan to ensure it meets your needs.

What is the cheapest over 50s life insurance?

The cheapest policy isn’t always the best. However, if budget is your primary concern, take a look at the companies that offer lower premiums  to see how much cover you can get. The table above shows the cheapest starting monthly premiums, however when considering what you can afford, you should also consider whether the benefits provided are good value.

Over 50 life insurance calculator

An over 50 life insurance calculator can help you see how much cover you can get for your money. You simply select how much you would like to pay each month and the calculator will work out how much life insurance you will get.

As most providers have an over 50 life insurance calculator, it also makes comparing plans much easier.

The above table gives you direct access to those listed provider’s calculators.

Over 50 life insurance with free gift - how does it work?

When comparing quotes, you will see that many companies offer over 50 life insurance with a free gift, usually in the form of a gift card. The free gift will be sent to you once the policy has been in place for a specified period, which is typically 6 months.

Choosing the best over 50 life insurance plan shouldn’t just depend on selecting the best free gift, as you will want to ensure the plan suits your needs. However as most over 50 providers offer a free gift of some form, it’s worth looking out for when comparing quotes.

Reviews

Reading reviews for over 50s life cover can give a clearer picture of what each plan covers. The pros and cons, monthly costs, the benefits, whether smokers will pay more, the insurer's reliability, policy satisfaction, and the quality of customer service.

Always check both positive and negative reviews for a balanced perspective.

We have reviewed the following companies:

Next steps

Throughout our 20 years experience in dealing with life insurance for the over 50s, we have recommended that if you are looking at buying a plan, it is important to fully understand the details and read through the small print before purchasing a policy.

As tempting as it may be, don’t choose a policy based solely on its welcome gift. Monthly costs, the cash benefit and additional features of the plan are of utmost importance. And if you are using the policy to help with funeral expenses, it could be worth considering a plan with free ‘funeral benefit cover’ if it means a contribution of £250 to £300 is added to the pot.

An established company with a good track record of paying claims quickly may also be a consideration. Afterall it’s your loved ones that will be claiming on the policy.

This type of guaranteed life insurance is a relatively simple plan and providing you have done your research, buying online is easy and should only take a few minutes. Most providers also offer telephone support should you wish to ask more questions or prefer to apply over the phone.

For more information on how plans work, read our comprehensive over 50 life insurance guide. Alternatively, to get free quotes and make your own over 50 life insurance comparison, select the calculator buttons in the table above.

Go to guide

best over 50 life insurance quotes

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