MetLife Life Insurance & Protection UK
Explained by an independent adviser
MetLife Life Insurance & Protection UK
MetLife is one of the world’s largest insurance companies, with over 150 years of history and operations in more than 40 countries. In the UK, MetLife offers individual life insurance, critical illness cover and income protection, as well as group protection for employers. As an independent adviser, we can access MetLife alongside the whole market — and tell you honestly whether it’s the right fit for you.
Written by Ben Tomlin, Financial Adviser · FCA No. 1038034 · Last reviewed June 2026
▶ In plain English — who are MetLife?
MetLife is an American insurance giant founded in 1868, and one of the largest life insurers in the world. In the UK, they offer individual protection products — life insurance, critical illness cover and income protection — as well as group protection schemes for employers. They bring significant global financial strength to the UK market.
As an independent firm, we’re not tied to MetLife. If they’re the best option for your circumstances, we’ll tell you. If another provider offers better definitions, pricing or terms, we’ll tell you that too.
On this page
MetLife UK protection products
MetLife offers a range of individual protection products in the UK, available through independent financial advisers. They also offer group protection schemes for employers looking to provide employee benefits.
Product 1
Life Insurance
Term life insurance paying a lump sum on death within the policy term. Suitable for family protection, mortgage cover, or leaving a financial legacy. Available on a level or decreasing basis, with flexible term and sum assured options.
Product 2
Critical Illness Cover
Pays a tax-free lump sum on diagnosis of a covered critical illness. Available standalone or combined with life insurance. Always compare condition definitions across providers before choosing — this is where independent advice adds the most value.
Product 3
Income Protection
Replaces a proportion of your income if you’re unable to work due to illness or injury. Designed to cover essential outgoings and maintain your standard of living during a period of incapacity, with flexible deferred period options.
Also available
Group Protection
MetLife is well known in the UK group protection market, offering group life assurance (death in service), group income protection and group critical illness cover for employers. If you’re a business owner looking to set up employee benefits, we can advise on this too.
Founded
1868
Operations in
40+ countries
UK products
Individual & group
Added benefits
Support Services
MetLife Critical Illness Cover
Critical illness cover pays a tax-free lump sum if you’re diagnosed with a covered condition during the policy term. The quality of a CI policy depends on the breadth and precision of its condition definitions — which is why independent comparison matters.
Lump sum on diagnosis
MetLife critical illness cover pays a tax-free lump sum on diagnosis of a covered condition. The money is yours to use however you choose — to pay off a mortgage, cover medical costs, adapt your home, or replace lost income during recovery.
Standalone or combined with life insurance
MetLife critical illness cover can be taken as a standalone policy or combined with life insurance. A combined policy pays out on whichever occurs first — death or a qualifying critical illness diagnosis — giving comprehensive protection in a single plan.
Guaranteed insurability options
MetLife offer guaranteed insurability options on some of their protection products, allowing policyholders to increase their cover at certain life events — such as getting married, having a child, or taking on a larger mortgage — without further medical underwriting.
Waiver of premium option
MetLife offer waiver of premium as an optional add-on, meaning your premiums are covered if you are unable to work due to illness or injury — keeping your policy in force when you need it most.
Why definitions matter — and why we compare
Not all critical illness policies are equal. The breadth and precision of condition definitions determines whether a claim is paid. As independent advisers, we compare MetLife’s definitions against the full market — including providers like Guardian, Royal London and AIG — to find the policy that gives you the best real-world protection for your circumstances.
MetLife Support Services — added-value benefits
MetLife Support Services is their added-value wellbeing service, included with their protection policies. It gives policyholders access to a range of health and wellbeing services — without needing to make a claim on their policy.
24/7 GP helpline
Access to a 24-hour GP telephone helpline, allowing policyholders to speak to a qualified doctor at any time of day or night — without waiting for an NHS appointment.
Mental health support
Access to mental health support services, including the ability to speak to a mental health professional. Designed to help policyholders address concerns early before they escalate into more serious conditions.
Second medical opinion
Access to a second medical opinion service, allowing policyholders to seek an expert review of a diagnosis or treatment plan from a specialist consultant — particularly valuable following a serious diagnosis.
Bereavement counselling
Access to bereavement counselling for policyholders and their families, providing emotional support during one of life’s most difficult times.
Legal and financial helplines
Access to legal and financial helplines providing guidance on a range of practical matters — from employment issues and debt advice to wills and estate planning queries.
Global financial strength, local UK protection
MetLife was founded in New York in 1868 and has grown into one of the world’s largest insurance companies, with operations in more than 40 countries and serving tens of millions of customers globally. This global scale brings significant financial strength and stability to their UK policyholders.
In the UK, MetLife operates through MetLife Europe d.a.c., which is authorised by the Central Bank of Ireland and subject to limited regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority. Their UK individual protection products are distributed through independent financial advisers.
MetLife is particularly well established in the UK group protection market, providing death in service, group income protection and group critical illness cover to employers across the country. Their individual protection range brings this same financial strength to personal policies.
1868
Year founded in New York
40+
Countries of operation
Top 5
Global life insurer by assets
Why use an independent adviser for MetLife?
MetLife individual protection products are distributed through independent financial advisers in the UK. An independent, whole-of-market adviser like That’s Family Finance can compare MetLife against every other major UK protection provider — including Guardian, Royal London, Legal & General, Aviva, Zurich, Vitality and LV= — and recommend the policy that genuinely suits your circumstances.
This matters particularly for critical illness cover, where the breadth of condition definitions varies significantly between providers. A policy that looks similar on price may offer very different real-world protection depending on how conditions are defined.
Our advice is independent, FCA-regulated, and free of charge at the point of advice. We are paid by commission from the insurer if you proceed — which we will always disclose clearly.
You might also find this useful
Other protection providers and value added benefits we advise on.
Guardian Critical Illness Cover Explained
Adviser-only pure protection with some of the most comprehensive CI definitions in the UK market.
Royal London Helping Hand Explained
Free wellbeing and recovery support included with all advised Royal London protection plans.
Scottish Widows Protection Explained
Life insurance, critical illness and income protection from one of the UK’s oldest insurers, founded 1815.
HSBC Life Insurance Explained
Life insurance, critical illness and income protection from HSBC Life (UK) Limited.
Aviva Global Treatment Explained
Access to world-leading hospitals and treatments for six serious conditions.
Get Independent Protection Advice
Not sure which provider is right for you? Send us an enquiry for an honest, whole-of-market view.
Independent advice, available across the UK
That’s Family Finance provides independent protection advice to families and individuals across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Whether you’re in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Bristol, Sheffield, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Glasgow, Essex or anywhere in between, we work with you remotely or in person to find the right cover for your circumstances.
We advise on MetLife alongside all other major protection providers including Guardian, Royal London, Legal & General, Aviva, Zurich, Vitality and LV=.
We are not MetLife. That’s Family Finance is an independent, FCA-regulated firm (No. 1038034) that can advise on MetLife and many other providers — and we’ll always tell you honestly which one suits you best.
Want to know if MetLife is right for you?
We’re independent and whole-of-market. Send us an enquiry or reach us on WhatsApp for an honest, no-obligation view.
FCA regulated · No obligation · Not tied to MetLife
Common questions
Questions we’re asked about MetLife protection.
What protection products does MetLife offer in the UK?
MetLife offers life insurance, critical illness cover and income protection to UK individuals, as well as group protection products for employers.
Is MetLife regulated in the UK?
Yes. MetLife Europe d.a.c. is authorised by the Central Bank of Ireland and subject to limited regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority in the UK.
What is MetLife Support Services?
MetLife Support Services is their added-value wellbeing service, giving policyholders access to a 24/7 GP helpline, mental health support, a second medical opinion service, bereavement counselling, and legal and financial helplines.
Can I get MetLife protection through an independent adviser?
Yes. MetLife protection products are available through FCA-regulated independent financial advisers.
What makes MetLife different from other UK protection providers?
MetLife is one of the world’s largest insurance companies, bringing global financial strength to the UK market. Their individual protection products include some flexible options around guaranteed insurability and benefit structure.
How do I compare MetLife against other UK insurers?
An independent, whole-of-market adviser like That’s Family Finance can compare MetLife against all other major UK protection providers and recommend the most suitable policy for your circumstances.
MetLife Support Services are provided by third parties and are not part of the core insurance contract. They may be amended or withdrawn by MetLife at any time. Always refer to MetLife’s own policy documentation for the most current details, including the full list of covered conditions, definitions, and exclusions.
We are not MetLife. That’s Family Finance is an independent, FCA-regulated firm (No. 1038034). This page contains information about MetLife’s protection products based on MetLife’s published materials at the time of writing. Always refer to MetLife’s own documentation for the most current details. MetLife Europe d.a.c. is authorised by the Central Bank of Ireland and subject to limited regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority.