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Offshore Life Insurance

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Offshore Life Insurance

Essential guide to life insurance for offshore workers in oil, gas, and fishing industries. Yes, offshore workers CAN get life insurance - however, offshore work is considered high-risk. Premiums depend on role, location, and duties: UK North Sea low-risk roles (admin, catering) add 10-30%, UK North Sea high-risk roles (riggers, drillers) add 30-75%, international waters add 50-150%, while high-risk roles like saturation divers add 100-200%+ or require specialist insurers. Our team knows which insurers offer competitive premiums for offshore workers regardless of whether your role is low or high risk.

By: Lorna Bailey Protection Expert Updated: 5th January 2026

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Can offshore workers secure life insurance?

As an offshore worker, your specific job role will have an impact on the type of cover you can secure, as well as the price you'll pay.

Your job title and daily activities will allow insurers to assess the level of risk you pose, and your terms will be offered accordingly.

For this reason, many choose to secure life insurance through specialist offshore providers, but these providers often charge more for their cover.

It's not just specialist providers who can secure life cover for offshore workers.

At LifePro we can compare prices for those working in the offshore oil, gas and fishing industries - regardless of whether your job role is low or high risk.

We'll take into consideration your unique circumstances, compare prices and provide you with the insurers who're most likely to offer you cover.

We'll also be on hand to answer any questions you may have.

Our quote service is completely free, so why not contact us today?

Keep reading to discover everything you must know about securing life insurance as an offshore worker…

How much life insurance do you need?

Enter your financial commitments below to understand the level of offshore life insurance cover you need.

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:

  • Outstanding mortgage balance
  • Other debts and loans
  • Income replacement for your family (typically 5-10 years of salary)
  • Children's education costs
  • Funeral expenses (typically £4,000-£10,000)
  • Any specific financial goals for your dependents

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 free comparison tool to get personalised quotes from 50+ UK insurers, including Offshore Life Insurance, and find the right level of cover for your needs at the best available price.

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Offshore life insurance policies

There are multiple policy types for offshore workers to choose from. The most common life insurance policies are level term, decreasing term, whole of life and over 50s plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is offshore work considered high-risk for life insurance?

Yes, offshore work is typically considered high-risk by most insurers. Premium increases depend on role and location: UK North Sea (lower risk roles like admin, catering): 10-30% loading, UK North Sea (manual roles like riggers, scaffolders): 30-75% loading, International waters (West Africa, Middle East, Asia): 50-150% loading, High-risk roles (divers, drillers, explosive handlers): 100-200%+ or specialist insurers required. Office-based offshore roles get lower loadings than hands-on operational roles.

How much does life insurance cost for offshore workers?

Premiums vary significantly by role and location. Example base rates (35-year-old non-smoker, £200,000 cover, 25 years): Standard occupation: £10-15/month, UK North Sea (low-risk role): £15-25/month (50-150% higher), UK North Sea (high-risk role): £25-40/month (150-300% higher), International waters (high-risk): £40-60/month (300-500% higher). Some roles may face decline from standard insurers - specialist impaired risk insurers required.

What information do insurers need about offshore work?

Insurers will ask detailed questions: Job title and specific duties (admin vs manual vs technical), Location (UK North Sea, Norway, West Africa, Middle East, etc.), Type of installation (fixed platform, floating rig, supply vessel), Rotation schedule (2 weeks on/2 weeks off, etc.), Years of offshore experience, Any hazardous duties (diving, confined spaces, working at height, explosives), Safety record and training certifications. Specialist insurers are more experienced with offshore occupations.

Can offshore divers get life insurance?

Yes, but it's challenging and expensive. Offshore diving is one of the highest-risk occupations: Saturation divers: 150-300%+ premium loadings or specialist insurers only, Deep-sea commercial divers: 100-200% loadings, Shallow water divers: 75-150% loadings. Some standard insurers decline diving entirely. Specialist impaired risk insurers are essential. Factors affecting premiums: Dive depth (deeper = higher risk), Frequency (daily vs occasional), Location (cold water = higher risk), Experience and qualifications.

What if I work offshore in dangerous locations?

Certain locations carry additional risk: High-risk regions (West Africa, Middle East conflict zones, piracy areas): 100-200%+ premium loadings or declines, Medium-risk (Brazil, Southeast Asia, parts of Africa): 50-100% loadings, Lower-risk (UK North Sea, Norway, Australia): 10-50% loadings. Some insurers exclude specific high-risk countries entirely. Political instability, piracy threats, and evacuation logistics all increase risk. Specialist offshore insurers have more flexibility for dangerous locations.

What type of life insurance is best for offshore workers?

Most offshore workers choose: Level term - Fixed payout ideal for mortgage + family income. Covers 20-30 years. Decreasing term - Cheaper option if mainly covering mortgage. Family income benefit - Monthly payments (20-40% cheaper than level term). Consider: Higher premiums mean cheaper policy types more attractive, Your rotation schedule (2 on/2 off vs 4 on/4 off), Whether you plan to leave offshore work (premiums don't decrease), Death in service benefits from employer (top up with personal cover). Avoid whole of life unless you need lifetime cover - too expensive for offshore workers already paying loaded premiums.

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