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When it comes to taking out Life Insurance, there are two types of policy terms that you can choose from:
Both of these types of policies have benefits and drawbacks that make them more or less suitable for certain people and situations. As such, you will need to think carefully about whether you need Level or Decreasing cover to protect yourself.
As the name suggests, Decreasing Term Life Insurance is a type of insurance that decreases over time, i.e. alongside a capital / principal repayment mortgage loan.
As you repay your mortgage, the amount that you are covered for decreases each year, eventually to zero like the mortgage balance, and your policy ends.
Given that the outstanding balance of your mortgage decreases over time, it makes sense that the amount that you have it insured for decreases as well. Otherwise, you may be paying more than necessary for cover over and above the mortgage that you don’t need.
Pros
| Cons
|
|---|---|
Cheaper than Level Term Mortgage Insurance | If your benefit decreases faster rate than your mortgage’s interest rate, you could be left with a shortfall at claim. |
Matches the value of your mortgage debt as it decreases | Typically covers only the mortgage only and won’t pay out more to cover other debts or expenses. |
A decreasing policy that falls alongside your mortgage means you don’t have to pay for extra cover on top | There will not usually be much if any lump sum left over after repaying the mortgage for your family |
Decreasing Term policies are likely to be the less expensive that Level Term cover because your level of cover decreases over time in line with your mortgage.
One issue you may have with this type of policy is that it will not provide your loved ones with any financial support aside from paying off your mortgage.
If you miss any mortgage payments or your Life Insurance policy decreases at a rate that exceeds the interest rate of your mortgage, there is also a possibility that your policy’s payout won’t cover your mortgage debt in full.
If you have a capital / principal repayment mortgage, decreasing term life insurance would likely be the most suitable product for you.
It will provide you with the right amount of cover to pay off your mortgage, reducing over time to match your repayment mortgage.
However, Decreasing Term Life Insurance isn’t the best option if you want to leave a lump sum behind over and above your outstanding mortgage.
If you want to cover your mortgage as well as financially support your loved ones, you may need to look at other Life Insurance options, including Level Term Life Insurance, which provides a fixed payout across the policy’s term or Family Income Benefit which provides a regular income.
Level Term Life Insurance is designed to pay out a fixed benefit, so it will pay out the same amount in year one of the policy as in the policy’s final year.
As such, it’s typically used to cover things like interest-only mortgages, where the amount of capital you owe the mortgage lender doesn’t shrink over time because you’re only repaying the interest.
The level of cover your policy offers will typically be set to be equal to your mortgage debt to ensure that your insurance will cover the entire cost of your mortgage. Similarly, the length of cover is also set to last as long as your mortgage loan.
If you were to pass away before you managed to pay off your mortgage, your loved ones would use the payout from your insurance policy to pay off your mortgage in full and avoid having to give up their home.
Pros
| Cons
|
|---|---|
Fixed cover for the life of the policy | More expensive as the amount stays fixed even as the risk of you claiming increases with age |
A fixed benefit can leave an additional lump sum behind for your family after repaying the mortgage | If used for a decreasing mortgage, the amount you’ll receive above the mortgage balance in the first years of the policy will be vastly lower than that you’d receive in the last years |
Possible to index-link your benefit so that it doesn’t get eroded by inflation | If you choose not to index-link your policy, the benefit could be worth less in real (i.e. in inflation-adjusted terms) when you come to claim |
One of the most appealing aspects of a Level Term Life Insurance policy is that your insurance coverage is guaranteed and won’t change. This means that you won’t be at risk of your insurance payout falling short of covering your debt.
By taking out insurance over and above your outstanding debt, you have the benefit of providing your loved ones with additional financial support on top of covering your mortgage.
What’s left of your Life Insurance payout after paying off the mortgage can be put towards other financial burdens, like bills and everyday expenses.
Level Term Life Insurance is available for any type of mortgage but it’s usually used to cover interest-only mortgages. This is because interest-only mortgages require you to pay off the loan interest regularly but outstanding capital remains fixed.
It is possible to take out Level Term Insurance with other types of mortgages, but it may not always be the most cost effective option.
The choice that you make between Level and Decreasing Term Insurance depends predominantly on the following factors:
As well as choosing between Level or Decreasing Insurance, you’ll need to think about the different options these policies provide.
This can include everything from adding Critical Illness Cover to whether Joint Life Insurance is right for you and your partner.
As an independent Life Insurance intermediary, we’re on hand to help you make an informed decision when buying Life Assurance. We live and breathe insurance, and have helped thousands of people to protect their most important asset – themselves
Our advice is totally fee-free, so you won’t pay us a penny when setting up your policy. Call 02084327333, email help@drewberry.co.uk, or compare quotes to get started.
When it comes to protecting yourself and your finances, you deserve first-class service. Here’s why you should talk to us:
