If you died tomorrow, would your family be able to stay in their home? Life assurance pays a lump sum or clears your mortgage so they do not have to worry about money at the worst possible time. We search the whole market to find you the right policy at the right price — free consultation, no obligation.
There is no single right answer — the best policy depends on what you need it to do. Here are the main types we arrange for clients across London, Romford, Ilford and Essex.
Writing a life insurance policy in trust is one of the simplest and most valuable things you can do — and most insurers do it for free. Yet the majority of life policies in the UK are not written in trust, which means families face unnecessary delays and potential tax bills when they need money most.
When a life policy is not in trust, the payout forms part of your estate when you die. This means it may be subject to inheritance tax if your estate exceeds the nil-rate band (currently £325,000, or £500,000 with the residence nil-rate band). It also means the payout cannot be made until probate is granted — which can take six months or more. During that time, your family cannot access the money.
When a policy is written in trust, the payout goes directly to your named beneficiaries — outside your estate, free of inheritance tax, and without waiting for probate. It can typically be paid within weeks of a claim being made. We set up trust paperwork for all our life assurance clients as a matter of course — it takes 15 minutes and costs nothing.
| Policy type | Best suited to | Payout reduces? | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level term | Mortgage + family fund | No — fixed | Moderate |
| Decreasing term | Repayment mortgage only | Yes — mirrors balance | Lower |
| Whole of life | IHT planning / estate | No — guaranteed | Higher |
| Life + critical illness | Mortgage + serious illness | Depends on type | Moderate-high |
Key facts about life cover for London homeowners and families.
Tip: If you already have a life policy not written in trust, it is not too late to put it in trust. Contact us and we will arrange the trust documentation for your existing policy.
Life insurance is simpler and quicker to arrange than most people expect. Here is what the process looks like with us.
The right life assurance policy starts with understanding your goals. Do you primarily want to pay off your mortgage? Provide an income for your partner? Leave money for your children's education? Protect against inheritance tax? All of these are valid goals, and the answers determine which policy type, which cover level, and which term is right for you. We take time to understand your full picture before making any recommendation.
Life assurance premiums vary significantly between insurers — for the same age, health, and cover amount, the difference between the cheapest and most expensive provider can be 40% or more. We search the whole market, present you with the most competitive options, and explain the differences between insurers beyond just the premium — including their claims records and policy definitions, which matter enormously when a claim is actually made.
Life assurance applications ask about your health history. Answering these questions incorrectly — even innocently — can lead to a claim being declined years later. We go through the health questions with you, help you answer them accurately and completely, and advise on how pre-existing conditions are likely to be treated by different insurers. Where a condition may lead to an exclusion or loading, we tell you upfront so there are no surprises.
Once your policy is in place, we complete the trust documentation with you. We explain the different types of trust available — absolute trust, flexible trust, and discretionary trust — and recommend the right one for your circumstances. We ensure your chosen trustees and beneficiaries are correctly documented and that you understand how to update the trust if your circumstances change (for example, following a divorce or the birth of a child).
Life insurance needs change. A new mortgage, a new child, a change in income, a divorce — all of these events can mean your existing cover is no longer right. We diary reviews for our clients at key points and contact you proactively. We also review your cover when we arrange a remortgage, because a new mortgage amount or term may mean your existing policy needs updating. We think of ourselves as your long-term financial protection partner, not a one-off transaction.
The questions we hear most often from clients in London and Essex. Call us if yours is not here.
Level term pays a fixed lump sum if you die during the policy term — the payout stays the same throughout. Decreasing term has a payout that reduces over time, designed to mirror a repayment mortgage balance. Decreasing term is cheaper because the maximum potential payout falls each year. If the sole purpose is covering a repayment mortgage, decreasing term is most cost-effective. If you also want to provide a fixed lump sum for family protection, level term is better. We assess which is right for your specific circumstances.
Writing your life policy in trust means the payout goes directly to your beneficiaries without forming part of your estate. Two key benefits: the money bypasses probate (which can take six months or more), reaching your family weeks after the claim rather than months. And the payout falls outside your estate, so it is not subject to inheritance tax. Most insurers allow policies to be written in trust for free. We complete the trust paperwork with every client as a standard part of our service — it takes 15 minutes and costs nothing.
Two single-life policies are almost always better than one joint policy, even though a joint policy may appear cheaper per month. The key reason: a joint policy pays out once — on the first death — and then the policy ends. The surviving partner is left without cover at a time when they may be older and in worse health, making new cover more expensive. Two single policies pay out independently and provide full protection for each person throughout the full term. We will show you the true cost comparison before you decide.
Whole of life insurance has no fixed end date — it pays out whenever you die, guaranteed. Unlike term policies which only pay if you die before a set age, whole of life will definitely pay out. Premiums are higher because a payout is certain. It is typically used for inheritance tax planning — the policy is written in trust and the payout provides a tax-free lump sum to cover IHT on your estate, avoiding the need to sell a property or business to fund the tax bill. We advise on this alongside estate planning guidance.
Yes. Critical illness cover can be added to a life insurance policy as a combined policy, or taken out as a standalone product. A combined life and critical illness policy pays out on either death or a specified serious illness diagnosis — whichever comes first. Standalone critical illness cover pays out on diagnosis regardless of whether you survive. We compare both options and recommend the structure that gives you the best value. Often, two separate policies — one life, one critical illness — provides better value and more flexibility than a combined product.
Death in service from an employer is a valuable benefit — typically paying 2–4 times your salary. But it is not a substitute for personal life insurance for several reasons: it ends when you leave your employer, which could happen through redundancy at the worst possible time; it may not be sufficient to clear your full mortgage and provide for your family; and it does not sit in trust (the trustees of your employer's scheme decide who benefits, guided by your expression of wishes but not bound by it). We advise on using death in service as part of your overall protection picture, not as a replacement.
Speak directly with Jagpal — no call centres, no waiting. Your initial consultation is completely free.
Life assurance is simpler and more affordable than most people expect. We search the whole market, find you the best premium, and write the policy in trust — at no extra cost. Free consultation, no obligation.
Life assurance is the foundation — here is what our clients add alongside it.