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What is Zurich life insurance?
Zurich life cover pays a lump sum if you die during the policy term. It also pays if you are diagnosed with a terminal illness and are not expected to live more than 12 months. Your family can use the money for anything, though most people use it to clear a mortgage or replace a lost income.
You can take the payout as a lump sum, or as Family Income Cover, which pays a monthly amount for the rest of the term instead. Family Income Cover suits households that would struggle to manage a large one-off sum, because it replaces a wage rather than handing over a windfall.
Zurich sells directly and through advisers. The adviser range carries more options, including three levels of critical illness cover and the Zurich Accelerate medical support benefit. On its own direct policy, Zurich states cover from £5 per month, terminal illness cover included at no extra cost, and a Defaqto 5-Star rating.
What you can build with it
Zurich lets you shape the cover rather than take it off the shelf. These are the choices you make at application, and each one moves the premium.
Single, joint first event or joint second event
A joint first event policy pays once, on the first death, then ends. A joint second event policy pays on the second death, which is usually an inheritance tax planning decision rather than a family protection one.
Level, decreasing or increasing cover
Level cover stays the same. Decreasing cover falls roughly in line with a repayment mortgage, and you pick the assumed interest rate anywhere from 2% to 18% in 2% steps. Increasing cover rises at a fixed 3% or 5%, or in line with RPI.
Lump sum or monthly income
Family Income Cover pays a monthly amount for the remaining term. It usually costs less than the equivalent lump sum, because the insurer pays out over years rather than all at once.
Guaranteed premiums
Your premium is guaranteed unless you change or increase the cover. It will not be reviewed upwards just because you have got older or the insurer's claims experience has worsened.
Ages, terms and what is included as standard
These are Zurich's own published limits on its adviser Personal Protection product. If you fall outside them, another insurer will usually still take you, which is the practical reason to get advice rather than apply direct.
| What | Zurich's limit |
|---|---|
| Minimum age at application | 18 |
| Maximum age at application | 83 |
| Maximum age at the end of the term | 89 |
| Minimum term | 1 year |
| Maximum term | 50 years |
| Minimum premium | £5 a month, or £50 a year |
| UK doctor requirement | Registered with a UK doctor for at least 6 months before applying |
| Residency | The person covered and the policyholder must be UK resident |
Included at no extra cost
Free cover while Zurich underwrites you
Up to £1,500,000 of life cover applies while your application is being assessed, subject to eligibility. That gap between applying and being accepted is the moment most people forget about.
Free cover between exchange and completion
Up to £500,000 of cover, subject to eligibility, for the weeks when you are legally committed to a purchase but the policy has not started.
Terminal illness cover
Pays the sum assured early on a terminal diagnosis, so the money arrives while you can still direct it.
Separation benefit
You can cancel a joint policy after divorce, separation or dissolution and start two individual policies, with no new underwriting questions. Without this, a health change since you applied can leave one of you uninsurable.
Milestone benefit
Lets you increase cover after certain life events without fresh medical underwriting.
Optional extras, at additional cost
Zurich Accelerate
Fast access to expert investigation, diagnosis and international treatment for cancer, cardiovascular and neurological conditions. We cover this in detail on our Zurich Accelerate page.
Children's Cover and Children's Enhanced Cover
Adds cover for your children. Pregnancy and Early Childhood Cover can be added if you are planning to grow your family.
Multi-Fracture Cover
Pays up to £6,000 for a broken bone, a dislocated joint, a ruptured Achilles tendon or a torn cruciate ligament. Small money, but it lands quickly and without a serious diagnosis.
Waiver of Premium
Zurich pays your premiums if you are too ill or injured to do your current job for more than 6 months. It is the benefit that stops your cover lapsing at the exact point you need it.
Conversion Option and Renewal Option
Convert to a Zurich Whole of Life policy, or start a new policy for up to the same term when this one ends, without answering questions about your health. Neither is available on joint life second event, family income cover or decreasing cover.
Who Zurich tends to suit, and who it does not
Zurich earns its place where the flexibility matters more than the headline price.
You might also find this useful
Other provider guides and cover types we can talk you through.
Zurich Accelerate explained
The medical support add-on, what it covers and how you use it.
Vitality Life Insurance
Life cover that reduces your premium when you stay active.
Royal London Life Insurance
The adviser-only Personal Menu Plan, and the Helping Hand support it includes.
Aviva Life Insurance
The Life Insurance Plan, DigiCare+ and Aviva's published claims record.
Critical illness cover
Pays a lump sum on diagnosis of a serious illness, not on death.
Get protection advice
Not sure which insurer or cover type fits? Send us an enquiry and we will work through it with you.
Common questions
Plain English protection guides
Protecting the mortgage is the part we advise on ourselves. Read how mortgage protection insurance works, including which type of cover suits which situation.
Where these figures come from
Product terms change. Check the insurer's own key features document before you apply.
Talk it through with us
Tell us what you have in mind and we will come back to you, usually the same day. We are open Monday to Saturday, 9am to 8pm.