Luke Ashworth

Life insurance market booms but concern over customers lapsing policies

From articles appearing in the financial press (February 2007) it would appear that the UK life insurance market is booming with annual premium equivalent income rising 54% to a staggering £1.44 bn. 

Some of this rise was attributed to the change in tax laws last April over pensions and customers investing lump sums in self invested personal pensions.

With this level of insurance being purchased you would have thought that every one would be adequately insured. However that is not the case. Many people still do not have adequate life insurance. Some people simply have not reviewed the level of life insurance they have for some time. Others are working to tight budgets and are putting off considering life insurance purchases until later. We hope not too late. Some people have only purchased small amounts of life cover based on the argument that something is better than nothing. A very correct view, but that still may leave them with inadequate cover which should be rectified when they can afford more. Others were in jobs with healthy benefit and pension packages with employers providing cover for their staff. In some cases these may have provided levels of life cover at 4 times annual salary. Unfortunately firms re-size, redundancy happens or there are brighter prospects with firms who do not offer those massive benefit packages.

There has also been a trend for people to allow their insurance policies to lapse. This may be because they no longer wish to keep up with the premiums. Sometimes it is because the policies were linked to some form of investment and the policies can be cashed in.  Surrendering a policy to get out the investment factor is OK but at the same time you may also be loosing valuable life cover.

Most of us would agree that life is for every changing. Five years can see many events occurring in our lives and those of the ones we love. How recently have you seriously considered you level of life cover? Could you do with more? Would you and your family be fully protected if any thing was to happen?

Term life cover offers one of the cheapest forms of life cover. It is simple and easy to arrange and what is more important is that the market is very competitive.

As with any life insurance policy, you are recommended to shop around. With so many insurers offering so many policies there will be good deals out there and also some not so good deals.  The internet offers a useful medium for shopping round. It is quick and easy to use and what is better is that some insurers will also offer lower rates to those who buy over the internet. 

Most important getting a quote will cost you a penny. Don’t say no to getting more life cover until you have fully assessed the cost. 

This article was written on the 1st March 2007.

This article does not represent ‘financial advice’ as each persons individual requirements will be unique to their needs. If there is something in the article which you which to rely on then please check those details with any person from whom you purchase a term life policy at the time of purchase.

Article Tags: Life Insurance, Life Cover

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