UK Life Cover Checklist: Underwriting, Waiting, Exclusions

Buying life cover is usually straightforward, but the details matter because the policy only proves its value at claim time. A practical checklist helps you spot where applications go wrong, why some claims are delayed, and which policy features can change the payout. In the UK, small wording differences can affect price, eligibility, and how quickly your family is supported.

Death insurance: what does underwriting assess?

Underwriting is the insurer’s process for pricing risk and confirming eligibility. For death insurance, expect questions about age, smoking or nicotine use (including vaping and replacement products), height/weight, medical history, medications, family history, alcohol intake, and any hazardous work or hobbies. Some applications are “non-medical” (no exam), while others may request a GP report, blood pressure reading, or blood tests. The key checklist item is accuracy: missing or downplaying information can lead to higher scrutiny later, and in some cases a reduced payout or voided policy.

A second underwriting checkpoint is the type of cover you choose. Term policies (for a set period) often underwrite more cleanly than guaranteed-acceptance products, but they require full disclosure. Over-50s plans can be easier to obtain, yet they often include a waiting period for death by natural causes and may cost more per pound of cover. If health is a concern, ask whether the insurer is offering standard rates, a loading (higher premium), specific exclusions, or a reduced maximum sum assured.

How to compare a death insurance policy in the UK

When you compare death insurance policy options, start by matching like-for-like: same cover amount, same term length, and the same payout structure. “Level term” pays a fixed amount if you die within the term; “decreasing term” typically reduces over time and is often used alongside repayment mortgages; “whole of life” aims to pay out whenever death occurs but usually costs more. Comparing premiums across different structures can be misleading, so treat structure as a core checklist item.

Next, compare definitions and built-in features. Look for how the policy defines terminal illness benefit (and whether it is included automatically), what counts as a claimable death event, and any restrictions for residency or time spent abroad. Also check premium guarantees: some policies fix premiums for the whole term, while others can review premiums (less common for standard UK term cover, but it exists in some product designs). Finally, confirm how the policy is set up to pay: beneficiary nomination versus writing the policy in trust can affect speed of payout and potential inheritance tax planning, though individual circumstances vary.

What to check a death insurance policy for exclusions

“What to check a death insurance policy” often comes down to exclusions and the fine print around non-disclosure. Many UK policies do not have long lists of exclusions for everyday life, but there are common pressure points: the suicide exclusion period (often within the first 12 months), exclusions tied to hazardous activities if declared, and limitations related to fraud or deliberate misrepresentation. A good checklist habit is to keep a copy of your full application answers and any medical evidence submitted, so there is a clear record if questions arise later.

Also check “waiting” concepts that are easy to confuse. Standard term life insurance generally starts cover from the policy start date (once accepted and the first premium is paid), but contestability is real: if you die soon after inception, the insurer is more likely to review the application closely. By contrast, some over-50s plans and guaranteed-acceptance products can include a waiting period for death by illness (commonly 12–24 months), paying back premiums (sometimes with limited interest) if death occurs in that window. Your checklist should explicitly confirm whether a waiting period applies and exactly what happens if death occurs during it.

Premiums, waiting periods, and real-world costs

Pricing is driven by age, health, smoking status, cover amount, term length, and policy type. In broad UK benchmarks, healthy younger non-smokers often see relatively low monthly premiums for term cover, while whole-of-life and guaranteed-acceptance plans can be materially higher for the same payout. Treat any online figure as an estimate: the same person can receive different quotes across insurers due to underwriting philosophy, and small changes (like adding critical illness cover, changing term length, or switching from level to decreasing) can shift the premium.

Below is an illustrative comparison to help you frame questions when you compare death insurance policy quotes. Exact pricing depends on personal circumstances, the chosen product, and underwriting outcomes.

Prices, rates, or cost estimates mentioned in this article are based on the latest available information but may change over time. Independent research is advised before making financial decisions.

In practice, your checklist should also include “total cost over the term” (monthly premium multiplied by months), not just the monthly figure, and whether premiums are guaranteed. If your priority is immediate cover with fewer hoops, check whether that convenience introduces a waiting period or reduces the value for money per pound of cover.

Life cover decisions become simpler when you treat the policy like a short checklist: confirm underwriting expectations and disclose accurately, verify whether any waiting period applies, read exclusions and definitions as carefully as the premium, and only compare quotes that match on structure and term. With those points clear, you can judge policies on the parts that affect real outcomes: certainty of payout, clarity of terms, and affordability over time.