Life insurance
Life insurance that puts them first
Whatever happens, the people who depend on you are looked after.
Over 50s life insurance
A simple way to leave something behind for the people you love.
Over 50s life insurance leaves your loved ones a fixed cash sum when you die. Many people use it to help with a funeral, or to pass on a small gift. We compare plans from our panel and explain everything in plain terms: the cost, the qualifying period, and what happens if you ever stop paying.
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We compare over 50s plans from our panel of UK providers:
£5,140
average total funeral spend in 2026, once a send-off is included.
SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2026.
£3,828
average cost of a simple attended funeral.
SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2026.
58%
of people do not set aside enough to cover it.
SunLife Cost of Dying Report 2026.
Why compare over 50s life insurance with Howden?
One conversation covers our whole panel, not a single plan.
- A choice of leading providers. We compare over 50s plans from our panel, so you can see how the payout, the monthly premium and the terms compare.
- Help at no cost to you We talk you through the options from our panel and which may suit you. And where the same plan is sold directly by the insurer, our price promise means you will not pay more by coming through us. Terms apply.
- Guaranteed acceptance. Eligible plans cover you without medical questions, so your health does not affect whether you are accepted. Age, residency and eligibility criteria apply.
- Honest guidance. If a medically underwritten policy would give you more for your money, we will say so.
- Rated Excellent on Trustpilot. More than 10,000 reviews from people we have helped.
- A proven team. Named Insurance Broker of the Decade at the British Insurance Awards 2024.
Why choose Howden?
500,000+
protected clients
30+ years
of insuring greatness
Awarded
Insurance broker of the decade
Rated ‘Excellent’
on Trustpilot
What is over 50s life insurance?
Over 50s life insurance is a whole-of-life policy. It is designed to pay a fixed cash sum when you die, as long as your cover is still in force and the policy terms are met. Most plans include an initial qualifying period for non-accidental death.
You choose the cash sum, and you pay a fixed monthly premium for it. Eligible plans come with guaranteed acceptance and no medical questions, which makes this a straightforward option, especially if your health makes medically underwritten cover harder or more expensive to arrange.
We help you settle on the right amount, compare the plans that offer it, and explain how the payout can be directed to the people you choose.
Good to know
- A fixed cash sum, agreed at the outset, that does not change.
- Guaranteed acceptance with no medical questions, on eligible plans.
- A payout when you die, as long as premiums are up to date. Most plans have an initial qualifying period for non-accidental death, usually one to two years.
- Fixed premiums, so the amount you pay does not rise.
- No cash-in value, because this is protection rather than a savings plan.
Important to know
If you stop paying your premiums, your cover will usually end and you may not get back the money you have already paid. Depending on how long you live, you could pay more in premiums than the policy pays out. The payout is normally fixed, so inflation may reduce what it can buy in the future.
Do I need over 50s life insurance?
Over 50s life insurance suits you if you would like to leave a fixed cash sum for the people you care about, perhaps towards a funeral or as a small gift.
It is a simple, guaranteed way to leave something behind, and it can be a real help if your health makes medically underwritten cover harder or more costly to arrange. It will not suit everyone, though. If you are in good health, we may well point you elsewhere, and we would rather do that than sell you the wrong thing.
How much over 50s cover do I need?
A good starting point is enough to help cover a funeral, with a little extra for a send-off, a small debt, or a gift to your children or grandchildren.
It is worth bearing in mind that funeral costs have risen steadily over the years, so today's figure may not be tomorrow's. The payout you choose is fixed from the outset, so you always know exactly what your family would receive. We will help you land on a figure that covers what matters, without paying for more than you need.
How does an over 50s payout work?
Making a claim is more straightforward than many people fear. Your family, or the policy's trustees, contact the insurer, and once the claim is assessed and approved the fixed cash sum is paid to the people you named.
For accidental death, most plans pay out in full straight away. For other causes, they pay after an initial qualifying period, usually one to two years. Where it helps, we can also explain options such as placing the policy in trust, which may allow the payout to reach your chosen beneficiaries without going through probate. Trust arrangements, and how they are taxed, depend on your circumstances.
Is over 50s life insurance worth it, or is standard cover better?
For many people, yes. If you want a guaranteed cash sum without medical questions, an over 50s plan does a simple, reassuring job. It is not the only route, though, and for some a standard policy, or simply saving separately, works out better.
Knowing a set sum is there for your family, with no medical questions to clear, is worth a great deal. And the premium is fixed, so it never springs a surprise. It is only fair, though, to be candid about the trade-offs.
| Over 50s life insurance | Standard life insurance | |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance | Guaranteed acceptance with no medical questions, subject to the provider's age, residency and eligibility criteria | Based on your health and medical history, and can be declined or priced higher |
| Payout | A fixed cash sum, usually smaller, with the maximum set by the provider | Can be much larger, set to cover a mortgage or your family's income |
| When it pays | When you die, after an initial qualifying period for non-accidental death | On death during the term for term cover, or when you die for whole of life |
| Best suited to | Funeral costs or a small gift, especially when health makes other cover difficult | Protecting a mortgage or replacing income for people who depend on you |
If you are in good health, a medically underwritten policy can often pay a larger sum for a similar premium. If your health makes that cover hard to get, the guaranteed acceptance of an over 50s plan is exactly the point. And if setting money aside would serve you better, we will tell you. We are here to help you choose well, not to talk you into a plan.
How much does over 50s life insurance cost?
The good news is that over 50s cover is often cheaper than people expect. Premiums are fixed from the start and commonly begin at around £10 a month, depending on your age and the cash sum you choose.
- The cash sum you want to leave behind.
- Your age when you take out the plan.
- Any optional extras, such as a funeral benefit option.
Because the premium is fixed and eligible plans come with guaranteed acceptance, the price is easier to pin down than most cover. It still varies between providers, though, which is where we come in: we compare premiums and terms across our panel to find you suitable cover at a competitive price, and confirm a personalised quotation before you commit to anything.
A simple way to plan ahead for funeral costs
A funeral today costs several thousand pounds. If you would like to set that money aside, or pass on a small gift to the people you love, an over 50s plan is one simple way to do it. We will help you weigh it against standard life insurance and other ways of planning ahead, so the choice feels like yours.
A simple way to plan ahead for funeral costs
A funeral today costs several thousand pounds. If you would like to set that money aside, or pass on a small gift to the people you love, an over 50s plan is one simple way to do it. We will help you weigh it against standard life insurance and other ways of planning ahead, so the choice feels like yours.
Frequently asked questions about over 50s life insurance
The questions we are asked most often about over 50s life insurance.
Over 50s basics
What is over 50s life insurance?
Over 50s life insurance is a whole-of-life policy that pays a fixed cash sum when you die, as long as your cover is in force and the policy terms are met. Eligible plans come with guaranteed acceptance and no medical questions, and most include an initial qualifying period for non-accidental death.
Do I need a medical to take out over 50s life insurance?
No. Guaranteed-acceptance plans do not ask any medical questions, and your health does not affect whether you are accepted on eligible plans. That makes them a useful option if your health would make medically underwritten cover harder or more expensive to get.
How much cover can I get with an over 50s plan?
Over 50s plans pay a fixed cash sum, and the maximum varies by provider and your age. We help you choose an amount that fits what you have in mind, whether that is towards a funeral, a small debt, or a gift to your family.
Is there a qualifying period before an over 50s policy pays out?
Most plans pay out straight away for accidental death, and after an initial qualifying period, usually one to two years, for other causes. After that, the fixed cash sum is paid whenever you die, as long as your premiums are up to date.
What can the money be used for?
The cash sum goes to the people you choose, and they can use it however they wish. Most families put it towards funeral costs or leave a little behind, and we can explain how the payout can be directed to your chosen beneficiaries.
Cost, cover and advice
How much does over 50s life insurance cost?
Premiums are fixed from the outset and often start at around £10 a month, depending on your age and the cash sum you choose. Because the premium never changes, you know from day one exactly what you will pay.
Could I pay in more than the policy pays out?
Yes. Premiums continue for many years, so if you live a long time you could pay in more than the cash sum, and if you stop paying, cover usually ends with nothing paid back. Many plans stop taking premiums at a set age while keeping your cover in place, and we will always be candid about whether a plan makes sense for you.
Is over 50s life insurance the same as a funeral plan?
No. An over 50s policy pays your family a cash sum they can use as they wish, while a funeral plan pays a funeral director for a specific funeral arranged in advance. We can explain the difference so you choose the one that fits.
Over 50s cover or standard life insurance, which is right for me?
If you are in good health, a medically underwritten policy may give you more for your money. An over 50s plan suits people who want guaranteed acceptance without medical questions. We compare both and tell you honestly which suits your circumstances.
Should I go direct to an insurer or use a broker like Howden?
Going direct usually means seeing one provider's plan, while we compare plans across our panel. Our service is at no direct cost to you, and where the same plan is available directly, our price promise means you will not pay a higher premium by coming through us. Terms apply.
What do you need to get an over 50s quote?
Getting a quote is quick, and for guaranteed-acceptance plans there are no medical questions to answer. We only need a few details.
- Your date of birth, so we can check you meet the provider's age criteria.
- The cash sum you would like to leave behind.
- Confirmation that you are a UK resident.
- How you would like the money to be used, if you already have something in mind.
We will let you know if the provider needs anything else. With no medical questions to clear, an over 50s quote is one of the simplest there is, and we will guide you through each step.
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