| 40% of life insurance policies in the UK are joint rather than individual | Joint life insurance policies can prove problematic when a relationship breaks down | Dual life cover offers separate, flexible protection for both partners |
You’ve opened a joint bank account. You’ve signed up for a joint mortgage. So, a joint life insurance policy might seem like an obvious next step. According to research1, 40% of life insurance policies in the UK are joint rather than individual.
Joint policies provide life insurance cover for two people but pay out only once, typically after the first death. The policy is then terminated, which can leave the surviving partner without cover. Depending on their age and medical history, taking out a replacement individual policy could be challenging.
Joint life insurance policies can also prove problematic when a relationship breaks down, as both parties need to consent to a change or cancellation.
They can also inadvertently become tools for economic control or abuse, limiting one partner’s financial independence and life choices. According to research2, 40% of UK adults may have suffered some form of financial or economic abuse.
Dual life insurance cover is an alternative to individual and joint policies. Although the application process and quote are combined, the cover for each partner is separate, which means policies can be retained even if a relationship breaks down or one person dies. If both policyholders die, this can result in two payouts, offering greater financial security to any dependants.
1Money Expert, 2025, 2Aviva, 2025
Financial protection policies typically have no cash-in value at any time and cover will cease at the end of the term. If premiums stop, then cover will lapse.
