Guides – Protection

Here are a few reasons why it’s important to ensure you are protected:

• Peace of Mind: By having protection in place, you can rest easy knowing that your mortgage repayments will be taken care of if something unexpected happens.
• Avoiding Financial Hardship: In the event of death, illness, or loss of income, it’s essential to have protection in place to avoid falling into financial hardship. Without proper protection, you may struggle to keep up with your mortgage payments, which can have significant consequences.
• Protecting Your Home: Your home is likely one of the most significant investments you will ever make. By protecting your mortgage, you are also protecting your investment and ensuring that your loved ones can continue to live in the home you’ve worked hard to provide.
• Maintaining Your Credit Score: Missing mortgage payments can have a significant impact on your credit score, which can affect your ability to secure credit in the future. By having protection in place, you can avoid missing payments and maintain a good credit score.

In summary, protecting your mortgage in the event of death, illness, or loss of income is critical to ensure that you and your loved ones remain financially secure during difficult times. It provides peace of mind, avoids financial hardship, protects your investment, and maintains your credit score.

Life assurance, in relation to a mortgage, is a form of insurance that provides a lump sum payment to repay the outstanding balance of your mortgage in the event of your death.

If you have a mortgage, life assurance can be a valuable way to ensure that your loved ones are not burdened with the mortgage payments if you were to pass away unexpectedly. The payout from a life assurance policy can be used to pay off the outstanding balance of your mortgage, allowing your loved ones to remain in the family home without the burden of mortgage payments.

Life assurance policies can be tailored to meet your individual needs, and you can choose the level of cover that you require. This will depend on factors such as your mortgage balance, your age, your health, and your family’s needs.

It’s important to note that life assurance is different from mortgage payment protection insurance (MPPI), which is designed to cover your mortgage payments if you are unable to work due to illness, injury or redundancy. While life assurance provides a lump sum payment in the event of your death, MPPI provides a regular income to cover your mortgage payments if you are unable to work due to the reasons mentioned above.

In summary, life assurance is a form of insurance that provides a lump sum payment to repay the outstanding balance of your mortgage in the event of your death. It can be a valuable way to ensure that your loved ones are not burdened with the mortgage payments if you were to pass away unexpectedly.

A level term assurance policy is a type of life assurance policy that provides a fixed amount of cover for a fixed period of time. It is designed to pay out a lump sum to your loved ones if you were to die within the term of the policy.

With a level term assurance policy, the amount of cover and the length of the policy are both fixed at the outset. The policy will pay out a fixed sum of money if you die within the term, regardless of whether you die at the beginning or the end of the policy term. This means that the level of cover remains constant throughout the term of the policy.

Level term assurance policies are often used to cover the outstanding balance of a mortgage, ensuring that your loved ones are not left with the burden of mortgage repayments if you were to die unexpectedly. However, they can also be used to provide a lump sum to cover other financial commitments, such as household bills or children’s education costs.

It’s important to note that level term assurance policies do not have a savings or investment element, and the policy will only pay out if you die within the term of the policy. If you survive the term of the policy, the policy will expire, and you will not receive any payout.

In summary, a level term assurance policy is a type of life assurance policy that provides a fixed amount of cover for a fixed period of time. It is designed to pay out a lump sum to your loved ones if you were to die within the term of the policy, and can be used to cover the outstanding balance of a mortgage or other financial commitments.

A Decreasing Term Assurance Policy is a type of life assurance policy that provides a decreasing amount of cover over time. The amount of cover decreases at a fixed rate over the term of the policy, usually in line with the outstanding balance of a repayment mortgage.

The idea behind a decreasing term assurance policy is that the amount of cover decreases in line with the decreasing amount owed on a repayment mortgage, meaning that the policy should always be enough to pay off the outstanding mortgage balance if you were to die during the policy term.

As the amount of cover decreases over time, the premiums for a decreasing term assurance policy are usually cheaper than for a level term assurance policy. This can make it an affordable option for those who want to ensure that their mortgage will be paid off if they were to die during the mortgage term.

It’s important to note that decreasing term assurance policies do not have a savings or investment element, and the policy will only pay out if you die within the term of the policy. If you survive the term of the policy, the policy will expire, and you will not receive any payout.

In summary, a Decreasing Term Assurance Policy is a type of life assurance policy that provides a decreasing amount of cover over time. It is designed to ensure that the policy payout will always be enough to pay off the outstanding mortgage balance if you were to die during the mortgage term, and can be an affordable option for those who want to ensure their mortgage is paid off in the event of their death.

A Family Income Benefit Policy is a type of life insurance policy that provides a regular tax-free income to your family or dependents if you were to die during the term of the policy.

Unlike other types of life insurance policies, such as level term or decreasing term assurance policies, a Family Income Benefit Policy does not pay out a lump sum of money upon your death. Instead, it provides a regular income to your beneficiaries for a set number of years, known as the policy term.

For example, if you took out a 20-year policy with a benefit of £25,000 per year and you were to die after 5 years, the policy would pay out £25,000 per year to your beneficiaries for the remaining 15 years of the policy term.

The advantage of a Family Income Benefit Policy is that it can provide a regular income for your family or dependents to help cover essential living expenses, such as mortgage or rent payments, school fees, or other bills. This can be particularly useful if you are the main breadwinner in your household and want to ensure that your family is financially secure in the event of your death.

It’s important to note that the premiums for a Family Income Benefit Policy are usually cheaper than other types of life insurance policies, such as whole of life or endowment policies. However, the policy will only pay out if you were to die during the term of the policy. If you survive the term of the policy, you will not receive any payout.

In summary, a Family Income Benefit Policy is a type of life insurance policy that provides a regular tax-free income to your family or dependents if you were to die during the term of the policy. It can help to provide financial security for your loved ones and cover essential living expenses in the event of your death. While it may not be suitable for everyone, a Family Income Benefit Policy can be a cost-effective and practical option for those looking for life insurance coverage. As with any financial decision, it’s important to carefully consider your individual circumstances and seek professional advice before making any commitments.

An Income Protection Policy is a type of insurance policy that provides a regular income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury. If you become unable to work and meet the policy’s criteria for incapacity, the policy will pay out a percentage of your usual income, typically up to 60%, until you are able to return to work or until the policy term ends.

Unlike other types of insurance policies, such as critical illness cover or accident insurance, income protection insurance is designed to provide ongoing support over an extended period of time, typically until retirement age or until you are able to return to work.

Income protection policies may vary depending on the provider and the policy terms. Some policies may include additional features such as rehabilitation services, which can help you to return to work more quickly.

It’s important to note that income protection policies usually have a waiting period before they start to pay out, typically between one and six months, depending on the policy terms. This is known as the ‘deferred period’ and is designed to ensure that the policy is only used to cover long-term incapacity rather than short-term absences from work.

In summary, an Income Protection Policy can provide a valuable safety net if you are unable to work due to illness or injury, helping to cover essential living expenses and maintain your standard of living. It’s important to carefully consider your individual circumstances and needs before taking out any insurance policy, and to seek professional advice if you’re unsure about what type of policy is best for you.

A Short-Term Income Protection Policy is a type of insurance policy that provides a regular income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury for a limited period of time, typically up to two years.

Unlike a traditional Income Protection Policy, which may provide coverage until you can return to work or reach retirement age, a Short Term Income Protection Policy is designed to provide coverage for a shorter period, offering a more affordable option for those who want protection but may not require long-term coverage.

The policy will typically pay out a percentage of your usual income, usually up to 60%, for a set period of time, which can help cover essential living expenses such as rent, mortgage payments, bills and other financial commitments.

It’s important to note that Short Term Income Protection Policies may have exclusions and limitations on the illnesses and injuries covered, and may also have a waiting period before they start to pay out, typically between one and three months.

Short Term Income Protection Policies can be a useful safety net for those who want protection against short-term loss of income due to illness or injury, providing peace of mind and financial security during a difficult time. However, it’s important to carefully consider your individual circumstances and needs before taking out any insurance policy, and to seek professional advice if you’re unsure about what type of policy is best for you.

A Critical Illness Policy is a type of insurance policy available that provides a tax-free lump sum payment if you are diagnosed with a specified critical illness or medical condition during the term of the policy. The policy is designed to provide financial support in the event of a serious illness, allowing you to focus on your recovery without worrying about financial pressures.

The critical illnesses covered by the policy can vary depending on the provider and policy terms, but typically include conditions such as cancer, heart attack, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and kidney failure. The policy will pay out a lump sum if you are diagnosed with one of the specified illnesses, regardless of whether or not you are able to continue working.

It’s important to note that not all critical illnesses may be covered by the policy, and some policies may have exclusions and limitations on the illnesses covered. In addition, the policy may have a survival period, which is the length of time you must survive after being diagnosed with a critical illness before the policy will pay out.

Critical Illness Policies can be a useful safety net for those who want protection against the financial impact of a serious illness or medical condition. However, it’s important to carefully consider your individual circumstances and needs before taking out any insurance policy, and to seek professional advice if you’re unsure about what type of policy is best for you.

Whole of Life Cover is a type of life insurance policy that provides coverage for the entire lifetime of the policyholder, as long as premiums are paid. This is in contrast to term life insurance, which only provides coverage for a specific period of time.

With Whole of Life Cover, the policyholder pays a regular premium to the insurance provider, and in the event of their death, the policy pays out a lump sum to their beneficiaries. The payout amount is determined at the time the policy is taken out and is guaranteed to be paid regardless of when the policyholder dies.

One advantage of Whole of Life Cover is that it provides lifelong coverage and can be used to cover funeral expenses, pay off debts or provide an inheritance to loved ones. It can also be used for estate planning purposes.

However, Whole of Life Cover tends to be more expensive than term life insurance because the policy guarantees a payout regardless of when the policyholder dies. The premiums are typically higher because the policy is expected to pay out at some point in the future.

It’s important to note that Whole of Life Cover policies can have different features and options, such as investment options, flexible premium payments, and the ability to accumulate cash value. It’s important to carefully review the policy terms and conditions before deciding if Whole of Life Cover is the right option for you.

Redundancy cover is a type of insurance policy that provides financial protection to individuals who may lose their job due to redundancy. This type of cover can help cover your essential living expenses, such as mortgage or rent payments, bills, and other outgoings, while you are out of work and looking for a new job.

Typically, redundancy cover pays out a tax-free monthly income for a set period, such as up to 12 months, or until you find new employment, whichever comes first. The amount of cover you can receive depends on the level of protection you choose when you take out the policy, which can be tailored to your individual circumstances and budget.

It’s important to note that not all redundancy situations may be covered under a redundancy insurance policy. Some policies may have specific exclusions or require you to meet certain criteria, such as being employed for a certain length of time, before you are eligible to make a claim. It’s important to read the terms and conditions of any policy carefully to understand the cover provided and any limitations or exclusions that apply.

Buildings and Contents Cover is a type of insurance policy commonly available that offers protection for your home and the possessions within it.

Buildings cover typically includes the physical structure of your home, including its walls, roof, floors, and any permanent fixtures such as fitted kitchens or bathrooms. This cover can provide protection against damage caused by events such as fire, flood, storm, or subsidence, as well as cover for the cost of rebuilding your home if it is destroyed or damaged beyond repair.

Contents cover, on the other hand, typically covers the contents of your home, including furniture, appliances, personal possessions, and valuables such as jewellery and electronics. This cover can provide protection against damage, loss or theft of your possessions, as well as cover for the cost of replacing them.

It’s worth noting that buildings and contents cover can be bought separately or together as a combined policy, and the level of cover and cost will vary depending on your individual circumstances and the insurer you choose. It’s important to carefully review the policy details and compare different options before choosing a policy that best meets your needs.

Landlords cover, also known as landlord insurance, is a type of insurance policy designed to protect landlords against potential financial losses and liabilities associated with renting out their properties.

Landlords cover typically includes a range of different types of cover, including buildings cover, contents cover, and liability cover. Buildings cover protects the physical structure of the property, including any fixtures and fittings, against damage from events such as fire, flood, or subsidence. Contents cover protects any contents within the property that belong to the landlord, such as furniture and appliances.

Liability cover is also an important component of landlords cover. This type of cover protects landlords against potential claims for compensation from tenants or members of the public who may be injured or suffer damage to their property as a result of the landlord’s negligence.

Other optional components of landlords cover may include rent guarantee insurance, which can provide cover for lost rental income in the event that a tenant fails to pay their rent, and legal expenses insurance, which can help cover the cost of legal fees associated with disputes between landlords and tenants.

It’s worth noting that the specific coverage and cost of landlords cover will vary depending on the insurer and the level of coverage required. Landlords should carefully review policy details and compare different options to choose a policy that best meets their needs.