Family protection is a catch-all term for the insurance products that keep your family financially safe if you die, get seriously ill, or can't work. Think of it as a financial safety net — one that most families don't think about until they need it.

The main types are: life insurance (pays a lump sum if you die), mortgage protection (clears the mortgage if you die), critical illness cover (pays a lump sum if you're diagnosed with a serious illness like cancer or a heart attack), income protection (replaces your income if illness or injury stops you working), and family income benefit (pays a regular monthly income to your family instead of a lump sum).

Most families don't need all of these — a regulated adviser will help you work out which ones matter most for your situation. Our job is to make sure you understand the options before that conversation.

Family protection is an umbrella term for a range of insurance products designed to protect your family's financial security if you die, become seriously ill, or are unable to work. It typically includes life insurance, mortgage protection, critical illness cover, income protection and family income benefit.

If you have a mortgage, life insurance or mortgage protection is strongly worth considering. If you die without cover, your family may struggle to maintain mortgage payments. A regulated adviser can help you assess the right level and type of cover for your circumstances.

Life insurance pays a lump sum on death. Critical illness cover pays a lump sum on diagnosis of a specified serious illness such as cancer, heart attack or stroke — while you are still alive. Many families benefit from having both.

Family income benefit is a type of life insurance that pays a regular monthly income to your family if you die, rather than a lump sum. It is designed to replace your earnings and is often more affordable than a standard life insurance policy for the same level of cover.

The cost depends on your age, health, lifestyle, the type of cover and the level of benefit. A whole-of-market adviser can compare quotes from all major UK insurers to find the most competitive premium for your circumstances.

The initial enquiry with That's Family Finance is free. FCA-regulated advisers are typically paid by commission from the insurer if you proceed with a policy — meaning there is no charge to you for the advice itself. Commission will always be disclosed clearly.

Income protection pays a monthly benefit if you are unable to work due to illness or injury. It is particularly important for the self-employed, who have no employer sick pay to fall back on, but is valuable for employed individuals too. A regulated adviser can help you assess whether your employer sick pay and savings are sufficient.

Placing your life insurance in trust means the payout goes directly to your chosen beneficiaries without going through your estate — avoiding potential inheritance tax and delays from probate. A regulated adviser can explain whether a trust is appropriate for your circumstances.

Self-employed individuals have no employer sick pay, death in service benefit or group income protection. This makes income protection, life insurance and critical illness cover particularly important. A regulated adviser can help you build a protection plan suited to your income structure.

Yes, in many cases. Some conditions may result in exclusions or higher premiums, but a whole-of-market adviser can identify which insurers are most likely to offer competitive terms for your specific health history.

Without life insurance, your family may face significant financial hardship — including difficulty maintaining mortgage payments, covering household bills, or replacing your income. Life insurance provides a financial safety net to protect them at the most difficult time.