People think insurers only pay 34% of protection claims

Adam Saville
clock • 2 min read

Trust a problem while nine in 10 Brits in financial danger should serious illness strike and less than a third have life insurance

On average, UK adults assume insurers pay out only a third of individual protection claims each year - compared to the 97.8% actually paid in 2017 - while just 27% have life insurance - a 7% drop compared to last year - and millions have no back-up plan, new research from Scottish Widows has revealed. More than a fifth (21%) of households would not survive financially if they unexpectedly lost their main income, while 12% of UK adults have phone insurance compared to 9% with critical illness cover (CIC) - less than one in 10. "It's a worrying truth that people are more likely to insur...

To continue reading this article...

Join COVER for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, key trend analysis and industry insights.
  • Stay on top of the latest developments around health and wellbeing, diversity and inclusion and the cost of living crisis.
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletter.
  • Members only access to monthly programme 'The COVER Review'
  • Be the first to hear about our CPD accredited events and awards programmes.

Join now

 

Already a Cover member?

Login

More on Individual Protection

Quarter of over-55s have informed executors on how to locate protection policies

Quarter of over-55s have informed executors on how to locate protection policies

Canada Life research findings

Jaskeet Briah
clock 11 September 2026 • 2 min read
Sorry (not sorry) to interrupt

Sorry (not sorry) to interrupt

World Suicide Prevention Day

Cameron Roberts
clock 10 September 2026 • 3 min read
Over half of parents financially impacted by their child's illness or injury

Over half of parents financially impacted by their child's illness or injury

MetLife’s Everyday Risk Report

Jaskeet Briah
clock 09 September 2026 • 2 min read