Get a Quote
0800 246 5191 Get a Quote

Royal London Review

  • Royal London life insurance review 2026
  • Mutual insurer - owned by members
  • Compare Royal London vs 50+ providers
Get Free Quote »
Life insurance protection

We work with some of the UK's leading insurers

Aviva
Legal & General
LV=
SCOTTISH
WIDOWS
Vitality
Zurich

Royal London Review

Complete 2026 review of Royal London life insurance. As the UK's largest mutual insurer, Royal London has been protecting families since 1861 with 8.5 million policies and £169 billion in assets. Royal London offers flexible life insurance policies including level term, decreasing term, family income benefit, and critical illness cover with strong financial stability ratings and 97%+ claims payout ratio. As a member-owned mutual (not shareholder-owned), profits are reinvested to benefit members. Important: Royal London NOT available through LifePro brokers - compare alternatives from 50+ other UK insurers and potentially save money.

By: Rosie Ritchie Protection Expert Updated: 4th January 2026

Compare Life Insurance Quotes »

Is Royal London a good insurer?

Royal London offers a range of flexible life insurance policies to suit a variety of needs.

But do they offer the right policy for you and your family?

In this review, we explore the details of Royal London life insurance to assist you answer these questions, looking closely at the features and benefits they provide.

Please note, Royal London life insurance is not available through LifePro.

However, we can compare prices from other major insurers, which could assist you to save money on your premiums.

Why use LifePro to compare life insurance quotes?

  • Whole-of-market comparison from 50+ UK insurers
  • Expert advice from FCA-regulated advisors
  • No extra cost - insurers pay our commission
  • Fast quotes in 60 seconds
  • Support throughout your policy lifetime

Who are Royal London?

Royal London is a mutual insurance society company that’s authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

They offer personal protection and pension products, as well as savings and investment solutions, to customers in the UK.

Since forming in 1861, Royal London has acquired multiple businesses over the years, including protection brands Bright Grey and Scottish Provident.

They are now the largest mutual company in the UK, holding more than 8.5 million life and pension policies valued at £169 billion[2].

How much life insurance do you need?

discover how much life insurance may be right for you by using our simple calculator. complete the costs you would 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:

  • 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 Royal London, and find the right level of cover for your needs at the best available price.

Compare Life Insurance Quotes »

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Royal London a good life insurer?

Royal London is the UK's largest mutual life insurer, owned by its members rather than shareholders. Founded in 1861, they manage £169 billion in assets and hold 8.5 million policies. Royal London has strong financial stability ratings and pays out 97%+ of life insurance claims. As a mutual, profits are reinvested to benefit members. They're a reputable choice for UK life insurance.

What life insurance products does Royal London offer?

Royal London offers: Level term life insurance (fixed payout), Decreasing term insurance (mortgage protection), Increasing term (inflation-linked), Family income benefit (regular payments), Relevant life insurance (employer-arranged), Critical illness cover (optional add-on). Note: Royal London is NOT available through LifePro brokers. You can buy direct or compare alternatives through LifePro.

How much does Royal London life insurance cost?

Royal London premiums are competitive but mid-range. Example: 35-year-old non-smoker, £250,000 cover over 25 years might pay £13-19/month. Cost depends on: Age, health, smoking status, cover amount, policy term, add-ons (critical illness, waiver). Always compare Royal London with other providers - premiums can vary 50%+ for identical cover.

Does Royal London pay claims promptly?

Royal London has a strong claims record, paying 97%+ of life insurance claims. In 2023, they paid over £400 million in life and critical illness claims. Average payout time: Straightforward claims: 10-15 working days, Complex claims: 30-45 working days. Main reasons for declined claims: Non-disclosure of medical info, Policy lapsed (unpaid premiums), Death within suicide exclusion period.

What makes Royal London different from other insurers?

Royal London is unique as a mutual: Member-owned (not shareholder-owned), Profits reinvested to benefit members, No external shareholders to pay dividends, Focus on long-term member value, Member representation at AGMs. Mutuals often offer competitive rates and better service focus. Other UK mutuals include LV= and Royal London's subsidiaries (Bright Grey, Scottish Provident).

Can I buy Royal London through a broker?

Royal London is NOT available through LifePro brokers. Options: Buy direct from Royal London (royallondon.com), Use their direct sales team, Limited broker distribution (not whole-of-market). Buying through LifePro gives access to 50+ other insurers including: Legal & General, Aviva, Zurich, AIG, Vitality, LV=. We can compare alternatives and often find better value than Royal London direct prices.

Get Your Free Quote

Answer a few simple questions to get your instant quote

33% Step 1 of 3
Free & no obligation
Instant quote in 60 seconds
Compare UK's best providers

Compare Alternatives to Royal London

Royal London not available through LifePro. Compare quotes from 50+ other UK insurers and potentially save money.

Get Free Quote Call 0800 246 5191

Free, no obligation quotes • FCA regulated advisors • 100% impartial