If you’re in the armed forces, you might be thinking about putting some cover in place to protect your loved ones. You should think about getting military life insurance if:
While you may think that insurers won’t consider anyone in the Army, Navy, Air Force or Royal Marines, many of the UK’s leading providers will offer cover – and this may even be at standard rates.
We work closely with the UK’s leading insurers to help you get the right armed forces life insurance at the right price.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has an armed forces scheme and a war pensions scheme that pay out on death or disability.
The amount varies depending on factors such as your length of service, rank, and the level of disability.
While the life insurance you may receive from the MoD is useful, you’ll often find that you do need to put your own, independent cover in place. This way you can ensure that you protect your loved ones if the worst happens.
In most cases, if you are in the armed forces, an insurer will assess your specific circumstances and occupation when underwriting your application.
You will typically have to complete a supplementary “armed forces questionnaire” detailing the nature of your work and likely deployment.
It’s important to remember that being employed in the military won’t necessarily mean any restrictions, exclusions, or additional premiums for life cover.
If you are not under orders and you have no specific duties, then insurers can potentially offer standard rates (the same cost as someone without a military occupation disclosure).
If you are expecting be involved in the highest risk army activities at the time of a life insurance application, then it’s likely that insurers will apply a loading (an increase in premiums).
For example, this might be the case if you have specific or hazardous duties such as bomb disposal, diving, aviation, or special forces. It’s also likely an insurer will restrict cover and increase the cost if you’re expecting to be deployed within a period of six months.
Other insurers may apply an increased premium for an initial period. For example, Legal & General will apply a two-year loading to your premium to account for the tour. The cost of your cover will return to normal after this time.
It is possible to set up Critical Illness cover if you are in the armed forces. This is a valuable benefit and pays a tax-free lump sum if you are diagnosed with an illness covered under the policy – such as serious cancer, a stroke, or multiple sclerosis.
Some insurers will only offer Critical Illness protection to cover your mortgage if you are about to go on a tour of duty.
Others will apply a “tour of duty” condition which will exclude “any accident or injury arising while you are undertaking a tour of duty to an active theatre of operations or conflict”.
No. Many service personnel assume that they need specialist cover that takes their occupation into account, but this is normally not the case.
Many people in the armed forces can take out life insurance on standard terms. Indeed, we work with many Army, Navy, Air Force, and Royal Marines personnel and will scour the market on your behalf to find the protection you need at a great price.
If an insurer does increase your premiums to represent any additional risk, the MoD has a scheme for refunding additional life insurance premiums charged because of your occupation.
The details are a little complex and have various exceptions. In general terms, the MoD will refund 90% of any additional premiums for a sum assured up to £179,000.
Contact us to find out how we can help you, or get a military life insurance quote online.
If you serve in the Army, Navy, Air Force or Royal Marines you may be wondering whether it is possible for you to take out military life insurance.
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