Protection Guide
Mortgage protection insurance
When you take on a mortgage, you’re not just borrowing money — you’re committing to a monthly payment that doesn’t stop
if life gets complicated.
Mortgage protection is a simple idea: if illness, injury, or worse happens, you still have a plan to keep the roof over your head.
The key is choosing the right type of cover (and the right amount) for your situation — not just buying “something”.
Quick takeaways
“Mortgage protection” often isn’t just one policy — it usually means a mix of covers, depending on what you want protected.
Life insurance can clear the mortgage if you die during the term.
Income protection can replace part of your income if you can’t work due to illness/injury.
Critical illness can pay a lump sum if you’re diagnosed with a serious condition.
We’ll help you build a plan that matches your mortgage, your household budget, and your risk tolerance.
What is mortgage protection insurance?
Plain English Overview“Mortgage protection” is a catch-all phrase for cover designed to keep your mortgage (and your home) safe if life throws you a curveball. In practice, it normally means one (or a combination) of:
Sense-checker
Risk factors to considerHow much cover do you need?
This is where most people either overpay or under-protect. We usually work backwards from what you’re trying to achieve: clear the mortgage, cover the monthly payments, or protect the household lifestyle.
If the goal is “clear the mortgage”, life cover is often structured around the outstanding balance. If the goal is “keep bills paid”, income protection can be more relevant.
Most mortgage protection is set to run for the same length as your mortgage (or until planned retirement).
Decreasing cover is often used for repayment mortgages. Level cover can be better if you want a fixed lump sum or you’re protecting more than just the mortgage.
Joint cover can be cheaper, but it normally pays out once. Two singles can be more flexible — it depends on your priorities.
Common mistakes we help you avoid
Cheap isn’t “bad” — but definitions, exclusions, and structure matter. The wrong policy can disappoint when it counts.
Many households would struggle more with a long-term illness than the “worst case” scenario. This is where the right mix matters.
Too short and you can be exposed. Too long and you might overpay. We align it with your mortgage and your plan.
New baby, new job, bigger mortgage, self-employment — your cover should change as your life does.
FAQs
Mortgage protection isn’t a legal requirement in the UK. However, some lenders may ask about it, and many strongly recommend it. Even if your lender doesn’t insist, protecting your mortgage is about peace of mind, making sure you and your family can stay in your home if something unexpected happens. It's better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.
Decreasing cover reduces over time (often used to mirror a repayment mortgage balance). Level cover stays the same (often used if you want a fixed lump sum or you’re protecting more than just the mortgage).
Typically no — income protection usually covers illness and injury. Redundancy cover is normally a separate type of policy (and has different rules). We’ll help you decide what risk is most important for your household.
Often, yes — but it depends on the condition, when it happened, and what the insurer’s underwriting says. Some policies may come with exclusions, premium loadings, or special terms. We’ll guide you through the options and what’s realistic.
Joint cover is often cheaper and pays out once. Two singles can offer more flexibility and can be more suitable if you want separate sums insured or different terms. We’ll talk it through based on your mortgage and household setup.
Helpful next steps
Keep exploringWant a clear recommendation?
We’ll talk through your mortgage, your budget, and what would realistically happen if your income changed — then build a plan you’ll feel good about keeping.
Need a Hand?
Honest, stress-free guidance can make all the difference! We’ll help you:
Understand your risks and priorities.
Compare cover options from trusted insurers.
Build a package that’s affordable and effective.
Ready to get started?
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Submit your enquiry here →
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THINK CAREFULLY BEFORE SECURING OTHER DEBTS AGAINST YOUR HOME.
YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE OR ANY OTHER DEBT SECURED ON IT.
IMPORTANT: With investments, your capital is at risk. Pensions and investments can go down in value as well as up, so you could get back less than you invest.
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