— Life Insurance —
Do I actually need life insurance?
If anyone depends on you financially — a partner, children, or someone who relies on your income — then yes, you need life insurance. It is not about what happens to you. It is about what happens to them if you are no longer there. Without it, your family faces the mortgage, the bills, and everyday costs on their own. A basic policy can cost less than a monthly takeaway. The cost of not having one can be devastating.
How much life insurance do I need?
A commonly used starting point is ten times your annual income, plus your outstanding mortgage. So if you earn £40,000 and have £200,000 left on your mortgage, you would be looking at around £600,000 of cover as a reasonable baseline. The right amount depends on your specific circumstances — how many dependants you have, what your partner earns, your debts, and your lifestyle. One of our advisers will work through this with you properly, at no cost.
What is the difference between term life insurance and whole of life insurance?
Term life insurance covers you for a fixed period — typically 10 to 40 years. It pays out if you die within the term. It is the most common type and is used to cover a mortgage or protect young families. Whole of life insurance covers you until you die, whenever that is. It is generally more expensive but guarantees a payout. Most families with a mortgage and children need term insurance first. We will explain both and help you decide what is right for your situation.
What does 'whole of market' mean and why does it matter?
Whole of market means we compare every FCA-regulated insurer in the UK — not just a handful on a comparison site, and not just one company we are tied to. Different insurers price risk differently. The same person can get quotes that vary by 30% or more across the market. For anyone with a health history, an unusual occupation, or specific needs, the difference between the right insurer and the wrong one can mean the difference between standard terms and being declined. We search the whole market to find the right fit for you.
My employer gives me 'death in service' cover. Is that enough?
Death in service is a valuable benefit, but it is rarely sufficient on its own. It typically pays three to four times your salary — which sounds like a lot until you map it against a 25-year mortgage and years of lost income. It also disappears the moment you leave the job. And it does not cover you if you are seriously ill and survive. We recommend treating death in service as a top-up, not a complete solution.
— Income Protection —
What is income protection insurance?
Income protection pays you a regular monthly income — typically 50 to 70% of your salary — if illness or injury stops you from working. It is not a lump sum like critical illness cover. It is a replacement income that keeps your bills paid while you recover. It pays until you either return to work, or until the end of the policy term — which can be your retirement age. It is arguably the most important insurance most people have never thought about.
What does Statutory Sick Pay actually pay — and how long does it last?
Statutory Sick Pay is currently £116.75 per week for up to 28 weeks. After 28 weeks, it stops entirely. The average UK mortgage payment is around £1,400 per month. SSP does not come close to covering most people’s essential outgoings, let alone anything else. If you are self-employed, SSP does not apply at all. Income protection is the product that fills this gap.
What is the difference between 'own occupation' and 'any occupation' income protection?
‘Own occupation’ pays out if you cannot do your specific job. ‘Any occupation’ only pays if you cannot do any work at all. A surgeon who loses the use of their hand can claim on an own occupation policy. On an any occupation policy, they may not — because they could theoretically do another job. We always recommend own occupation cover, and it is now standard on most quality policies.
I am self-employed. Can I get income protection?
Yes — and it matters more for you than for almost anyone else. If you are self-employed and cannot work, the money stops immediately. Income protection for the self-employed works the same way as for employees, though the benefit is usually based on average earnings over the past two to three years. We work with specialist providers including British Friendly and The Exeter, who have strong products for self-employed and higher-risk occupations.
— Critical Illness Cover —
What is critical illness cover and how is it different from life insurance?
Life insurance pays out when you die. Critical illness cover pays out when you are diagnosed with a serious condition — cancer, heart attack, stroke, and many others. You receive a tax-free lump sum on diagnosis, while you are still alive. This can pay off your mortgage, fund private treatment, or cover lost income. A serious diagnosis is often more financially disruptive than death — bills continue, but your income may not.
How many conditions does critical illness cover pay out for?
This has changed significantly in recent years. A standard policy from 2015 typically covered 30 to 36 conditions. Today’s standard policies cover 50 to 73 conditions, and enhanced options cover up to 174. Cancer accounts for 62% of all critical illness claims, and modern policies cover a much wider range of cancer types and stages. If your policy was taken out before 2018, a review is well worth having.
Will my critical illness claim definitely be paid?
The UK market payout rate was 97.9% in 2024 (ABI). The most common reasons for declined claims are non-disclosure — not revealing a medical condition at application — and the diagnosed condition not meeting the policy definition. This is why policy definitions matter, and why having an adviser who explains exactly what you are and are not covered for is so important.
— Wills, Trusts & LPA —
Do I need a will if I am young and healthy?
Yes. If you have a partner, children, property, or any assets, a will is essential regardless of your age. Without one, UK intestacy rules decide who receives your estate. Unmarried partners inherit nothing under intestacy rules, regardless of how long you have been together. If you have children, there is no legal document appointing a guardian. As an FEI client, we include professional will writing as part of our service — at no extra cost.
What is a discretionary trust and do I need one for my life insurance?
A discretionary trust sits outside your estate. When you write your life insurance policy in trust, the payout goes directly to your chosen beneficiaries — bypassing probate entirely. Without a trust, the money goes into your estate and can be frozen for nine to twelve months during probate. It may also be subject to inheritance tax. Setting up a trust takes around twenty minutes, costs nothing, and can make an enormous difference to your family at the worst possible time. We arrange trusts for all life policies as standard.
What is a Lasting Power of Attorney and when should I set one up?
A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) gives someone you trust the legal authority to make decisions on your behalf if you lose mental capacity. There are two types: one for property and financial affairs, and one for health and welfare. You can only set up an LPA while you have mental capacity. Once you have lost it, it is too late — and your family may have to go through the costly Court of Protection process instead. The best time to arrange an LPA is now, while you are well.
Why do you offer free will writing and trust setup?
Because we believe a protection policy without a will or trust is incomplete. We have seen what happens when families try to access a life insurance payout stuck in probate for a year. We have seen unmarried partners left with nothing because there was no will. Free will writing and trust setup is our way of making sure the cover we arrange actually reaches your family, the way you intended, when they need it most.
— Working with FEI —
Is your advice truly independent?
Yes. We are whole of market — we can access every FCA-regulated insurer in the UK. We are not tied to any bank, insurer, or product panel. We receive commission from the insurer when a policy is arranged, and we always disclose this. Our only obligation is to find the right product for you.
Is FEI regulated by the FCA?
Yes. Financial Expert Independent Ltd (FCA reference 565800) is an Appointed Representative of Financial Expert Partnership Limited (FCA reference 591556), which is directly authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. You can verify this on the FCA register at fca.org.uk. FCA regulation means we are required to treat you fairly, make suitable recommendations, and handle complaints formally.
How do I book a free consultation?
Simply click the ‘Book a Free Call’ button on any page of our website. There is no obligation and no sales pressure. Your adviser will ask a few questions, understand what you need, and explain your options clearly. Most initial conversations take around thirty minutes. If we think we can help you, we will explain exactly how. If we do not think protection is the right priority right now, we will tell you that too.
I already have insurance but I am not sure if it is still right for me. Can you help?
Absolutely — this is one of the most valuable things we do. Many people have policies that were right when taken out but have not kept pace with their lives. A new child, a new mortgage, a change in income — any of these can affect whether your cover is still adequate. Critical illness cover in particular has changed dramatically — a policy from 2015 may be missing 30 or more conditions now considered standard. A review costs nothing and takes about three minutes on our online review tool.
