Nadeem FaridHead of Health & Wellbeing Benefits

21/01/2026

7 mins

IMPORTANT❗️
Our “best” provider lists reflect our independent analysis of product features, service quality, and value. They are intended as a guide only – the right scheme for your business may differ depending on your needs and circumstances.

Finding the best Group Life Insurance in the UK can feel complex. There are a range of different insurers and plans available, each with their own unique policy options and levels of cover. This can make the decision-making process overwhelming, and it can be difficult to know where to begin.

This 2026 guide reviews leading insurers side by side, so you can make an informed choice and secure the right protection for your employees.

What Makes a Good Group Life Insurance Company?

Here are some key points to consider when comparing Group Life Insurance.

Maximum Benefit

The payout from Group Life Insurance is typically a multiple of an employee’s earnings or a fixed lump sum. Some insurers will have higher limits per employee, so if you want to offer larger benefits to employees, it’s important to choose an insurer that offers this.

Minimum Number of Employees

Some insurers have a higher minimum threshold for entry in terms of number of employees. While often as low as between three staff, it can be as high as ten employees or more before an insurer will cover you.

The best Group Life Insurance companies for small businesses will therefore be very different from those that are best for larger groups.

Free Cover Limit

The free cover limit is the benefit each employee can have before the insurer requires medical underwriting (answering questions about their health and pre-existing conditions).

Most UK Group Life Insurance companies have a fairly high free cover limit, but if you have many high-earning workers or want to offer particularly large payouts, the best Group Life Insurance companies for you differ from those that want to offer a smaller benefit.

Master Trust Availability

In the event of a claim, the insurer first pays the benefit into a trust (which you set up at the same time you arrange the policy). The trust then pays the funds to the individual / charity the employee requested when you arranged the plan.

Having a trust between the insurer and the insured employee is vital to shield the benefit from tax. As the payout doesn’t become part of the deceased employee’s estate, it isn’t subject to inheritance tax. There are two options for Group Life Insurance trusts: The insurer’s master trust or you can create your own.

For simple convenience, many of our clients therefore prefer the master trust option where available. However, setting up your own allows for greater flexibility (though it will require time spent on administrating it and incur potential legal costs). See which type of Group Life Insurance trust is best for your business.

Additional Benefits

Perhaps one of the biggest areas insurers differentiate themselves is in the additional benefits they provide. Some insurers only offer a very basic set of services, while others include a range of benefits that are hugely valuable on top of the core insurance. These include:

24/7 Virtual GP service
Bereavement support, either with counselling or a telephone helpline
Probate support for an employee’s family to help with administering the estate of the deceased
Second medical opinion service, offering consultations with leading specialists if an employee is diagnosed with a medical condition
Advice in areas such as finance, budgeting, legal matters, relationships etc.

Joe Toft, health & wellbeing expert at Drewberry

Group Life Insurance is one of the most cost-effective employee benefits to offer. It’s also one of the most comprehensive. If an employee passes away while in your employment, insurers will pay out – regardless of whether they were within the workplace or on parental leave at the time.

Joseph Toft
Senior Consultant, Employee Benefits

Which Group Life Insurance Is Best In 2026?

The UK has a few major Group Life Insurance providers to choose from, each with their own unique structure and setup.

The “best” provider for your business won’t necessarily be the best for another, as it all depends on your specific needs and circumstances. That’s why it’s important to carefully compare schemes.

Our list of “top” providers has been put together by considering product offering, longevity, and customer reviews.

Aviva

A well-known brand and one of the UK’s largest insurers, Aviva delivers a robust, reliable, and comprehensive Group Life proposition trusted by businesses of all sizes.

Key facts

Maximum benefit: 10x salary or any fixed benefit
Minimum number of employees: 3
Free cover limit: Dependent on your group
Master trust: Yes
Additional benefits: Aviva Digicare+ Workplace app, legal services and advice, Line manager toolkit for mental health, Stress helpline.

Why Choose Aviva Group Life Insurance?

Aviva is a trusted UK insurer with decades of experience in group protection. Their Group Life policies combine flexible cover options with comprehensive wellbeing support, including mental health, bereavement, and GP access.

Employers benefit from master trust arrangements for simple administration, while employees enjoy added peace of mind through holistic support services. Aviva is ideal for businesses looking for a reliable, well-established provider with strong employee support features.

Enquire about an Aviva Group Life scheme

Canada Life

Canada Life has built a strong reputation in the group risk market, particularly for its flexibility and generous Free Cover Limits.

Key facts

Maximum benefit: 10x salary or a fixed benefit
Minimum number of employees: 3
Free cover limit: £1.25 million (for larger groups)
Master trust: Yes
Additional benefits: 24/7 digital GP, “WeCare” Employee assistance programme, Bereavement support, Probate helpline, Dental app, Wellbeing app.

Why Choose Canada Life Group Life Insurance?

Canada Life offers flexible and digital-first Group Life solutions through their CLASS platform, making it easy for small to large businesses to set up and manage coverage.

Their free cover limits are competitive, and the range of wellbeing services enhances the value for employees. Canada Life is a good option if you want modern, tech-enabled administration with a wellbeing focus.

Enquire about a Canada Life Group Life scheme

Legal & General

Legal & General (L&G) is the UK market leader (going by the number of people covered). Its scale enables highly competitive pricing, making it a strong all-round choice for employers.

Key facts

Maximum benefit: Any salary multiple (max £10 million)
Minimum number of employees: 10
Free cover limit: £1.8 million
Master trust: Yes
Additional benefits: Employee assistance programme, Wellbeing advisory board, Bereavement counselling, Care concierge for elderly loved ones.

Why Choose Legal & General Group Life Insurance?

Legal & General provides robust Group Life cover with high maximum benefit limits, backed by decades of UK market experience. Their master trust solutions simplify trust setup and administration, and they offer access to Employee Assistance Programmes and wellbeing support. It’s a good choice if you’re after a high-limit, well-established provider with strong administrative and support frameworks.

Enquire about a Legal & General Group Life scheme

MetLife

MetLife focuses on simplicity and accessibility, making it a strong choice for small and medium-sized enterprises, particularly those introducing employee benefits for the first time.

Key facts

Maximum benefit: 8x salary
Minimum number of employees: 3
Free cover limit: Dependent on your group
Master trust: Yes
Additional benefits: 24/7 bereavement/probate support, virtual GP access, Group Life Flexible Benefits options.

Why Choose MetLife Group Life Insurance?

MetLife combines global expertise with flexible UK Group Life solutions tailored to employer needs. It’s a solid choice for employers seeking adaptable coverage with strong wellbeing provisions.

Enquire about a MetLife Group Life scheme

Unum

Unum is a UK provider of group risk and employee benefits, known for its comprehensive protection products and employee wellbeing support, making it a strong choice for employers seeking broad coverage.

Key facts

Maximum benefit: 12x salary or any fixed benefit (up to £15 million)
Minimum number of employees: 3
Free cover limit: £1.75 million
Master trust: Yes
Additional benefits: Employee assistance programme, CBT-based mental wellbeing tools, legal helplines, Total Wellbeing Index

Why Choose Unum Group Life Insurance?

Unum is a specialist group risk provider offering high benefit multiples and a wide range of wellbeing resources. Their master trust options simplify administration while employees gain access to mental health tools, legal helplines, and structured wellbeing programs. Unum is ideal for employers who want high-coverage limits combined with integrated employee wellbeing and support solutions.

Enquire about an Unum Group Life scheme

IMPORTANT❗️
We have taken care to ensure that information in this table is accurate. However, the market changes frequently, and we do not guarantee 100% accuracy. It’s always best to get in touch with us for the most up-to-date information and tailored advice. Call 02084327333 or email help@drewberry.co.uk.

Get Specialist Advice For Your Group Life Insurance Scheme

Choosing a Company Life insurer and setting up a scheme is relatively straightforward. While it’s possible to do it yourself, comparing quotes and finding the best fit can quickly become overwhelming.

And unlike with personal policies, it’s also hard to compare group quotes online as insurers don’t have prices readily available.

At Drewberry, we work closely with all the leading UK insurers and can do the heavy lifting on your behalf. What’s more, we’re in a unique position to negotiate competitive rates in most cases.

If you’d like more help with choosing the best Group Life Insurance for your employees, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. Call 02084327333, email help@drewberry.co.uk, or submit an enquiry for a free consultation.

Why Speak to Us?

Employee benefits can be a headache. But our specialists do this day-in, day-out, offering first class service when you need it most. Here’s why you should talk to us:

Award-winning independent employee benefits consultants, working with leading UK insurers and benefit providers
Assigned specialist on hand to help – every step of the way
4084 and growing independent client reviews rating us at 4.92 / 5
Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Find us on the financial services register
Claims support when you need it most.