Compare over-50s life insurance providers, including SunLife, OneFamily, Shepherds Friendly, Legal & General and British Seniors. Eligibility, cover amounts, qualifying periods, exclusions and premiums vary by provider and applicant.
By: Howard Gregory, Founder & Director · Updated: 5th January 2026
Run a Free Quote Comparison »This guide covers a selection of over-50s life insurance policies from UK insurers. Eligibility, qualifying periods, exclusions, cover limits and premiums can change, so check the current policy documents and original provider sources.
The suitable over-50s life insurance policy depends on your age, smoking status, budget and desired cover amount. Compare current financial-strength ratings, eligibility, qualifying periods, exclusions, features and personalised premiums.
Providers covered in this guide:
Acceptance criteria, age limits, medical questions and qualifying periods vary by provider and product. Check current policy documents and personalised quotes.
Compare each provider's current eligibility, cover limits, qualifying period, exclusions, policy terms and personalised premium.
| Provider | Age Range | Cover Amount | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| SunLife | 50-80 | £2,000-£15,000 | Check current acceptance criteria, qualifying period and optional benefits |
| OneFamily | 50-80 | £1,500-£25,000 | Check current mutual membership, bonus and policy terms |
| Shepherds Friendly | 50-80 | £2,000-£20,000 | Check current mutual membership, dividend and financial information |
| Legal & General | 50-80 | £3,000-£20,000 | Check current rating, qualifying period and terminal-illness terms |
| Aviva | 50-85 | £2,000-£20,000 | Check current qualifying period and funeral-payment terms |
| British Seniors | 50-80 | £1,000-£20,000 | Check current application, qualifying-period and accidental-death terms |
Eligibility, medical questions, qualifying periods and premiums vary. Check each provider's current policy terms.
1. SunLife
SunLife offers over-50s life insurance. Check the provider's current company and product information at the original sources.
2. OneFamily - Mutual Insurer
OneFamily is a mutual insurer owned by its members rather than external shareholders. Check any current bonus and membership terms at the original source.
3. Shepherds Friendly - Long-Standing Mutual
Shepherds Friendly is a mutual society founded in 1826. Check its current financial information and over-50s policy documents at the original sources.
4. Legal & General - Financial Strength
Legal & General offers over-50s products. Check its current policy documents and financial-strength rating at the original dated sources.
5. Aviva
Aviva offers over-50s life insurance. Check current age limits, cover, qualifying periods, exclusions and optional policy features.
6. British Seniors - Straightforward Policies
British Seniors offers over-50s life insurance. Check current eligibility, application requirements, qualifying periods and policy terms.
Premiums vary based on age, smoking status, cover and the provider's current pricing. Compare personalised quotes and like-for-like policy terms.
Compare Quotes from Available Providers »Compare factors beyond the monthly premium before choosing an over-50s policy.
Compare personalised premiums, qualifying periods, exclusions and included features from the providers available for your circumstances.
Using a broker or comparison service lets you compare quotes from a range of providers in one place, including the personalised premium, cover, qualifying period, exclusions and policy terms.
Calculate how much over 50s life insurance you may need using our handy calculator. Simply complete the costs you'd like your policy to cover.
The amount of life insurance you need depends on your financial obligations and what you want to provide for your loved ones. A common rule of thumb is to have cover worth 10 times your annual salary, though your individual circumstances may require more or less.
Consider the following when calculating your life insurance needs:
For example, if you have a £200,000 mortgage, earn £40,000 per year, and want to provide 10 years of income replacement, you might need around £600,000 of cover (£200,000 + (£40,000 × 10)).
Use our comparison service to compare available policies, premiums and cover from a wide range of UK insurers.
Run a Free Quote Comparison »Over-50s life insurance premiums depend on age, smoking status, chosen cover and provider. Compare personalised quotes alongside the cover amount, qualifying period, exclusions, total potential premiums and policy terms.
Some over-50s policies do not ask medical questions, but eligibility rules, age limits and qualifying periods vary. Check each provider's current acceptance criteria, when full cover begins and the total potential premiums.
Claim times vary according to the policy, information required and the insurer's assessment. Check each provider's current claims process, required documents and latest published claims data at the original source.
There is no provider that is always cheapest. The personalised premium depends on age, smoking status, chosen cover and the provider's current pricing. Compare quotes and policy terms from several providers before deciding.
The qualifying period is an initial period during which limited cover may apply. Its length and the treatment of natural or accidental death vary by provider and product. Check the current policy documents and compare when full cover begins.
Yes, you can cancel your over 50s life insurance policy at any time. Most policies have a 30-day cooling-off period after purchase where you can cancel and get a full refund of premiums paid. After 30 days, you can still cancel anytime, but you won't get any money back - over 50s policies have no cash surrender value. Once you cancel, cover stops immediately and all premiums paid are lost. This is why it's important to choose affordable premiums you can sustain long-term. Some insurers offer a 'paid-up' option where you can stop paying premiums in exchange for reduced cover amount (rather than losing everything). Before canceling, consider: Have your circumstances changed? Could you reduce cover amount instead? Would switching to a cheaper provider be better than canceling completely?
Answer a few simple questions to start your quote request
Request quotes from UK insurers and ensure your loved ones are protected
No broker fee • No-obligation quotes • UK-based advisers
