It is a life insurance policy that covers two people rather than one. You choose how long the policy lasts, but it only pays out once during the term.
How does joint life insurance work?
A joint life insurance policy can either pay out when the first person dies, or the second, but not for both.
If you need a life insurance policy that pays out for both deaths, you need to apply for individual life insurance policies.
Are joint life insurance policies worth it?
Joint life insurance could save you money compared to buying two separate policies, but you will only get one payout.
If you can get a life insurance policy each, for less than a joint life insurance policy, you will get two payouts and save money.
Get quotes for the joint payout you want, then compare the cost of the cheapest policy to the cost of getting two individual policies.
What types of joint cover can you get?
Here are the types of life insurance you can get joint cover with:
Whole of life: The most expensive type of life insurance policy, but will pay out whenever the first person dies.
Level term: This offers a fixed payout, but you can only claim if you die during the term of the policy.
Decreasing term: This is usually the cheapest type of life insurance policy, as the payout you choose reduces each month until the end of the term. This is commonly used alongside mortgages.
Choosing the right payout
Depending on the insurer, you may have two options on when your payout is claimed:
First death: This pays out when the first person dies during the term of the policy only.
Second death: This only pays out if both policyholders die during the policy's term. This type is usually cheaper than first death as the chance of claiming is lower.
If you choose to get two individual policies, when one person passes away the other receives a payout but still has their own cover in place too.
If your partner has health issues, the cost of a joint life insurance may go up and end up costing you both more than if you bought separate policies.
Check the cost of two separate life insurance policies compared to the cost of one joint policy by getting as many quotes as possible.
Joint life insurers FAQs
Is joint cover cheaper than two separate life insurance policies?
It can be, but you only get one payout and it could cost you more if one of you has health issues. Here is how to cut the cost of your life insurance.
How much does life insurance cost?
The price is based on your age, how much cover you want, how long you want it for, and your medical history. Here is how to cut the cost of life insurance.
Is life insurance guaranteed to pay out?
Only if your cause of death is covered in your policy, and you die during the term of the policy. Here is more on how life insurance works.
Can I have more than one life insurance policy?
Yes, but you may find it cheaper to have one policy that gives you the exact cover you need. Use this comparison to get quotes to find the best price.
Can I still get life insurance if I have poor health?
You may find it harder to get cover if you have any health issues. Get as many quotes as you can until you get accepted for the cover you want.
About our joint life insurers comparison
Who do we include in this comparison?
We include joint life insurance from our panel of insurers. They are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
Here is more information about how our website works.
How do we make money from our comparison?
We have commercial agreements with some of the companies in this comparison and get paid commission if we help you take out one of their products or services. Find out more here.
You do not pay any extra and the deal you get is not affected.