Two lives, one home, one plan.
The short answer
Couples can buy one joint life policy that usually pays once, on the first death, or two single policies that can each pay out. Joint cover is often lower in cost; two policies give more flexibility, especially if you separate. Unmarried partners have no automatic right to inherit, so trusts matter.
Who this cover may suit
- You share a mortgage, rent or other household costs.
- Either of you would struggle to cover bills alone.
- You are unmarried and want your partner to receive the payout.
- You are planning children or a bigger home together.
When to consider another option
- Neither of you depends on the other’s income and you have no shared debts.
- You want to leave money to children after both deaths — see life insurance in trust.
- You mainly need to clear a mortgage — see mortgage life insurance.
How it works
Tell us about you
A few simple questions about your age, health and what you want to protect.
Choose amount and term
Pick how much cover you want, its shape and how long it should last.
Review real options
See options based on your answers, with a real person to help if you want one.
Joint or two single policies?
MoneyHelper explains that joint policies usually pay out once, on the first death. [2] Our joint vs single guide goes deeper.
| Joint policy | Two single policies | |
|---|---|---|
| Payouts | Usually one, on first death | One per policy |
| Relative cost | Often lower | Often a little higher |
| If you separate | May need to be cancelled or split | Each keeps their own |
| Survivor’s cover | Ends after a claim | Continues |
| Different amounts | Same for both | Can differ |
Unmarried couples: the extra step
Unmarried partners do not automatically inherit if there is no will, and they do not receive the spouse exemption from Inheritance Tax. [4] A policy written in trust with your partner as a beneficiary can pay them directly and may keep the money outside your estate. [5] Bereavement Support Payment is also generally only for married or civil partners. [10]
An unmarried couple buying a home
Fictional example: Leah, 29, and Sam, 31, unmarried, buying a flat with a £210,000 repayment mortgage. No prices are shown because real premiums depend on underwriting.
- Structure
- Two single decreasing policies
- Amount
- Each covers the full mortgage
- Trust
- Each written in trust for the other
- Wills
- Both updated to name each other
Whoever died first, the survivor could clear the mortgage and would still have their own cover. See our first-time buyers guide.
Couples’ cover at a glance
What works well
- Protects a shared home and lifestyle.
- Joint cover can be lower in cost.
- Two policies adapt well to life changes.
What to watch
- Joint cover usually pays only once.
- Separation can complicate joint policies.
- Unmarried partners need a trust or will.
The FCA’s market study into pure protection found that competition generally works well, while noting many households remain underinsured. [3] Answer every application question accurately: under the Consumer Insurance (Disclosure and Representations) Act 2012 you must take reasonable care not to misrepresent. [6]
Employer death-in-service cover is valuable, but MoneyHelper notes it usually ends when you leave the job. [7] If a claim is ever disputed, the Financial Ombudsman Service handles complaints about insurers free of charge. [8]
Keep exploring
Frequently asked questions
Is joint life insurance better for couples?
Joint life insurance is often lower in cost than two single policies with the same amount, and it can be simpler to manage. However, it usually pays out only once, on the first death, and then ends, leaving the surviving partner without cover at a time when getting new cover may cost more. Two single policies can each pay out and can hold different amounts. Neither is automatically better: it depends on your budget, your debts and how likely your circumstances are to change over the term.
Can unmarried couples get joint life insurance?
Yes. Insurers generally offer joint life insurance to unmarried couples who share financial responsibilities, such as a mortgage or children. The important difference is what happens to the money. Unmarried partners do not automatically inherit if there is no will and do not get the spouse exemption from Inheritance Tax. Writing the policy in trust, and making sure both of you have up-to-date wills, helps ensure the payout reaches your partner quickly and in the way you both intend, rather than passing under intestacy rules.
What happens to joint life insurance if we split up?
If you separate, a joint policy can become awkward. Some insurers allow a joint policy to be split into two single policies, sometimes without new medical questions, within a set time. Others do not, and you may need to cancel and reapply separately, which could cost more if your age or health has changed. Because of this, many couples who are not married, or who expect circumstances to change, choose two single policies from the start. Check the separation option before you buy.
How much life insurance should a couple have?
Start with shared debts, especially the mortgage, then add the income each partner would need to replace, plus any extra costs such as childcare or a funeral. Subtract savings and existing cover, including employer schemes. If one partner earns much more, two single policies with different amounts can reflect that fairly. The estimator on this page shows how a mortgage and income figure combine into a total, and our cover needs guide takes you through each step so you can reach a figure you are both comfortable with.
Do married couples need their policy in trust?
Married couples and civil partners usually benefit from the spouse exemption, so money left to each other is not normally subject to Inheritance Tax. A trust can still be useful. It can let the payout reach your partner without waiting for probate, and it can make sure money intended for children after both deaths is handled by trustees you trust. It may also help keep the payout outside the surviving partner’s own estate later. GOV.UK and HMRC explain the basic rules.
Is it cheaper to have one joint policy or two single ones?
A joint policy is often lower in cost than two single policies for the same amount, because the insurer usually pays only once. The saving varies between insurers and depends on your ages, health and whether either of you smokes. Two single policies cost a little more but can pay out twice, stay in place after a claim, and cope better with separation. Only insurers can give real prices, so it is worth seeing both options side by side before you decide.
Sources
- Association of British Insurers — Protection insurers pay out £7.84 billion in claims in 2025 (2026-06-29)
- MoneyHelper — What is life insurance? (2026-09-28)
- Financial Conduct Authority — MS24/1.5 Market Study into the Distribution of Pure Protection Insurance Products: Final Report (2026-09-21)
- GOV.UK — How Inheritance Tax works: thresholds, rules and allowances (2026-09-28)
- HM Revenue & Customs — Trusts and Inheritance Tax (2010-11-08)
- legislation.gov.uk — Consumer Insurance (Disclosure and Representations) Act 2012 (2012-03-08)
- MoneyHelper — Life insurance through work (2026-09-28)
- Financial Ombudsman Service — Complain about a financial business (2026-09-28)
- Office for National Statistics — Inflation and price indices (2026-09-17)
- GOV.UK — Bereavement Support Payment (2026-09-28)
- legislation.gov.uk — Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (2003-04-10)
- GOV.UK — Funeral Expenses Payment (2026-09-28)
- NHS — Cancer (2026-09-28)
- GOV.UK — Trusts and taxes (2026-09-28)