How does life insurance for men work?

Life insurance typically works the same for men and women, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some gender-specific issues to consider. But before we get into that, let’s get back to basics on your main options for life insurance and policy types.

For many people, life insurance is largely about providing a financial safety net for others if something happens to you. Whether you’re a husband, partner, dad, breadwinner or business owner, the right cover can help protect everything you’ve worked hard to build.

You can choose from a range of policy types. Term life insurance covers you for a set number of years (like the length of your mortgage or while you’re raising a family), while whole life insurance guarantees a payout no matter when you pass away.

Why choose life insurance?

If you are a dad, life insurance can help give your family the future you’d want them to have should you pass away before your time. That can mean ensuring they can stay in the family home, cover everyday costs, or take a longer-term view such as leaving a nest egg for university education.

But men’s life insurance isn’t just for dads. You may be the main breadwinner for elderly parents and want to make sure they won’t suffer financially should you pass away before them. Or perhaps you own a business and want to ensure continuity.

Many men choose life insurance at major life milestones: getting married, buying a home, having children or estate planning. According to Forbes, 30% of UK policy holders said they got life insurance due to becoming a parent, demonstrating how closely insurance is often linked to family life.

Each of these milestones can change the type and level of cover you need, so setting up a life insurance policy may not be a one-time thing. Whatever your needs, there’s a policy that can deliver the protection you need.

Benefits of men’s life insurance:

  • Helps cover mortgage payments, household bills, funeral costs, debts, education costs and more.

  • Provides financial security for your children.

  • Can be tailored to match your budget and needs.

  • Peace of mind knowing your loved ones are protected.

  • Add-ons like critical illness cover give extra protection.

What happens when the policy pays out?

When an insurance policy pays out, where the money goes depends on the type of policy you have and who it's set up to benefit.

If you take out a joint life policy, the payout usually goes to the surviving policyholder when the first person dies. There’s no second payout when the other person dies.

However, there are other types of joint policy:

  • ‘Dual life’ policies are available that pay out when the first person dies, but life cover still stays in place for the surviving partner.

  • There are also joint policies that pay only on ‘second death’ although these tend to be used for inheritance tax planning.

With a single life policy, the payout typically goes to your estate, which can delay things a little due to probate. However, you can name a specific beneficiary or have the policy written in trust to potentially speed things up and have more control over who receives the money.

Life insurance typically pays a single lump sum. However, another option is to take out a ‘family income benefit’ policy. This is a form of term insurance that pays a regular amount of money to your family or other chosen beneficiary.

What does life insurance cover?

Typically covered

Life insurance pays out if you die during the policy term, or at any point if it’s a whole life policy. Some policies can come with included or optional extras, including:

Terminal illness cover: Typically pays out early if you’re diagnosed with a condition that’s expected to be fatal within a certain time (e.g. 12 months).

Critical illness cover: Pays out if you are diagnosed with a serious illness covered by the policy.

Children’s cover: Some policies pay out if a child becomes seriously ill, or passes away due to accident or illness, depending on the terms and conditions.

What isn’t covered?

Life insurance offers valuable protection, but there are a few situations where a claim may not be paid:

  • Missed payments: If you stop paying your premiums, your cover could end.

  • Suicide: Many policies exclude death by suicide within the first 12 months.

  • Fraud or non-disclosure: If you aren’t honest and accurate when applying, the insurer could refuse to pay out.

  • Excluded health conditions: Some policies may include exclusions based on your medical history, for example, if you have a pre-existing condition.

  • Outliving your policy: If you survive the policy term, the cover ends and there’s no payout.

Other events may not be covered, such as death due to war or participation in extreme sports. Please see each policy’s exclusions and limitations: always read the small print to make sure you understand the terms and conditions.

How much does men’s life insurance cost?

Here’s a quick guide to what will affect your monthly premium, including factors potentially especially relevant to men:

  • Your age: The younger you are when you take out a policy, the cheaper your premiums will usually be.

  • Your health: Existing health conditions typically mean premiums are higher.

  • Your lifestyle: Lifestyle choices such as smoking and drinking can push premiums up, and historically, men tend to smoke and drink more than women.

  • Your occupation: Men are more likely to work in higher-risk occupations that can make life insurance more expensive. Government statistics show that male workers account for 95% of fatal workplace injuries in the UK.

  • Hobbies and pastimes: Certain activities can mean higher premiums. So if you race motor cars or parachute out of airplanes for thrills, you can expect to pay more for your life insurance.

  • The ‘sum assured’: A policy that pays out £250,000 will cost more than one for £100,000.

  • Length of term: A longer policy term often means higher premiums.

  • Added benefits: Adding benefits such as critical illness cover will typically increase the premium.

  • Single vs joint life: A joint policy is usually cheaper than taking out two single policies (but remember that it will typically pay out just once, so might offer less protection than two separate policies).

  • Level or decreasing cover: Policies with a decreasing sum assured (often used with mortgages) may be cheaper than policies where cover remains at the same level.

  • Reviewable or guaranteed premiums: Reviewable premiums typically start lower, but can rise when your payments are reviewed. Guaranteed premiums typically start off higher, but remain the same.

You may find your own quotes come in cheaper or more expensive than average premiums. The best way to find out how much cover would cost for you is to compare quotes from leading insurance companies.

How to keep costs down

There are ways you may be able to make men’s life insurance more cost-effective:

  • Start as early as you can: The younger you are when you take out a policy, the lower your premiums are likely to be.

  • Choose the right level of cover: Look at your wider financial situation, such as any savings, property or investments, and choose a level of death benefit that makes up the shortfall without buying unnecessary cover.

  • Pick the right term: Choose the term you need and no longer.

  • Be healthy: Insurers typically offer lower premiums to people who maintain a healthy lifestyle. Stopping smoking, eating well and managing any chronic health conditions may trim pounds off your premiums.

  • Consider a joint policy: A joint life insurance policy is often cheaper than taking out two separate policies – but coverage ends after the first payout.

  • Look at different premium options: A fixed or guaranteed premium policy might be better for budgeting and long-term cost control than a reviewable premium policy where premiums can increase.

  • Review your cover: If your life circumstances change you might not need as much cover. You may be able to amend your policy, or cancel it and take out a cheaper one.

  • Shop around and compare quotes: Each insurer has its own pricing model, so it’s essential to compare quotes before committing to a policy. Also, some providers offer special deals, like free terminal illness cover. Don’t settle for the first quote you receive; it’s always worth exploring your options.

By making a few smart choices, you can reduce your premiums without compromising on the protection you need.

Things to consider

Taking out life insurance can be a big decision. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

  • Term vs whole life: Term cover may be cheaper and more suited to temporary needs (like raising children or paying off a mortgage), while whole life offers lifelong peace of mind.

  • Joint vs single policies: Joint policies are cheaper, but typically only pay out once. Two single policies can offer more protection, but cost more.

  • Premiums can increase: Depending on the policy type, your monthly cost may go up over time.

  • Missed payments matter: If you stop paying, your cover could end.

  • Not all illnesses are covered: Make sure to check the fine print if adding critical illness cover.

  • The payout isn’t automatic: If your policy isn’t written in trust, your family may need to wait for probate.

If you’re unsure which policy is right for your family, it can be helpful to speak with a financial adviser.

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Page updated on 6th November 2025, Reviewed by Richard Groom