Life Insurance For Police Officers

When taking out life insurance, your line of work can impact your ability to get cover, or affect the cost. Here, we’ll explain all the details about life insurance for police officers, including where to get the most realistic quotes with the best prices and how you can financially protect your families, spouses or children.

Can police officers get life insurance?

Yes, police personnel can get life insurance here in the UK. However, due to the nature of some police work, certain roles may be viewed as higher risk. This could mean limited insurance options or higher premiums. It depends on your role because insurers have different views of frontline officers compared to office-based police.

With that said, there are still plenty of affordable life insurance policies out there for police working at all different levels of service. This means you can get cover to protect your family, spouse, or children’s financial interests if the worst happens - whether you were on or off duty.

How your application gets assessed

When applying for life insurance, insurers will look at a variety of factors, some of which are specific to police work and others that apply to all professions:

• Police role: Your specific duties and seniority can impact an insurer’s perceived risk. For example, armed response officers or riot police may face more potential hazards than an officer or detective in a desk-based role. Insurers will consider this when underwriting your policy and determining your premiums.

• Risk exposure: If your role is likely to involve direct engagement in high-risk situations, such as counterterrorism or public order policing, insurers may adjust premiums accordingly. Officers who regularly work at night or in high-crime areas may also be deemed more at risk.

• Type of cover: The type of life insurance you choose will influence your options and the costs. Whole-of-life policies are more expensive as they’ll be with you throughout your career and retirement, whereas a term policy can be shorter. The level of cover and extra benefits also impact life insurance options.

• Age and health: When taking out life insurance, your current age, along with any pre-existing health conditions or lifestyle factors (like smoking), can contribute towards the cost of your cover and the policies available.

Depending on your role, experience, and personal circumstances - insurers may apply exclusions, additional terms, or increased premiums to account for any additional risks associated with your police work.

Types of life insurance policies for police officers

The primary types of life insurance policies for police officers are the same as those for other professions. But, certain policies may be more applicable than others depending on your needs.

Whole-of-life policy

Whole-of-life insurance guarantees a payout to your beneficiaries (e.g. family, spouse or children) whenever you pass away. So, it offers lifelong peace of mind, even after you’ve retired - but it can be more expensive.

These policies can be extremely comprehensive in terms of cover, but they’re not particularly flexible. Your premiums are usually fixed for life and won’t reduce if you leave the police or transition to a police role involving less risk.

Term policy

A term life insurance policy provides cover for a fixed period. This option is often more affordable and flexible. For example, if you plan to work as a police officer for 30 years, you could take out a policy that covers you for that duration instead of your whole life.

There’s also a ‘decreasing term’ life insurance policy, where the level of cover gradually reduces. It can be useful if you’re primarily looking to cover a repayment mortgage or ensure a young family is looked after if something happens in the early years.

Income protection insurance

While not a life insurance policy, income protection insurance can be valuable for police officers, given the physically and mentally demanding nature of the work. It provides regular payments to replace a portion of your income (usually between 50% and 65%) if you’re unable to work due to illness or injury.

Income protection policies usually pay out until you can return to work, retire, or reach the end of an agreed term. Multiple claims are often allowed on the same policy, so they can provide long-term financial security as you progress through the ranks or shift into different areas of police work.

Additional policy benefits

Alongside your core life insurance policy, you might want to consider additional benefits. Sometimes, these can be included with policies, but not always. There’s ‘accidental death benefit’, which covers death due to an accident. Or ‘dismemberment insurance’, paying out for severe injuries that don’t result in death. 

Another popular option is critical illness cover (CIC). With this, you’ll get a lump sum if you get diagnosed with a serious illness, but the conditions covered will vary across insurers. Due to the higher risk involved with some police roles, insurers may have restrictions around which policy add-ons you can access.

How to get a quote online

Before providing a quote, insurers will ask for details about your role in the police, including any specialist duties or risks. Some online comparison platforms might initially suggest cover is available but later impose restrictions or exclusions.

It’s also worth noting that specialist insurers have policies tailored for police officers that they don’t advertise. Speaking to a broker simplifies the process and ensures you get the right cover. A brief discussion means they can understand your needs and match you with the best life insurance policy for police officers.

If you’d like a free, no-obligation chat with an insurance advisor specialising in life insurance for police officers, you can get started here:

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Life insurance for retired police officers

Retired police officers can still benefit from life insurance, but your needs may differ from active officers. Without the occupational risks associated with the police force, you might find it easier to get cover at a more competitive rate. Although, your age and health could be detrimental factors.

Whole-of-life policies are popular because you can take out a policy during your career (or at the beginning). Ideally, while you’re young and healthy, and it ensures a guaranteed payout whenever you pass away, before or after retirement.

However, a term policy can be helpful to bridge any financial gaps if something were to happen to you. It means your family could be covered by your pension and receive additional financial support.

Cover for police officers' families

In many ways, your life insurance policy is for your family’s benefit and not yours. However, you may want to consider protecting your family or partner with their own policy. Many insurers offer joint life policies for couples, which means you can get financial support if either of you passes away.

Another option is family income benefit (FIB), which provides a regular income rather than a lump sum - potentially making it simpler to manage household expenses. You may also want critical illness cover for your spouse or children, which can provide security if you have to step away from the police or stop working altogether.

Why choose Teito for your police life insurance policy?

Finding life insurance as a police officer can be slightly more complex, particularly if your role involves heightened risks. Whether you work in the Greater London Met Police, remote Scotland, or anywhere in the UK - your options will depend on your duties, the type of cover required, and your overall circumstances.

Our specialist brokers can assess your situation and connect you with insurers offering the most suitable policies and the best life insurance quotes for police officers. Thanks to our direct relationships with insurers, we can access deals that aren’t widely advertised.

Here’s why police officers across the UK choose us to help them find the right life insurance policy:

• We can get tailored quotes for police within minutes

• Our advisors have 5-star ratings on leading review sites

• Your first chat is free with no obligation to proceed

• Access to the best life insurance deals for police officers

Ready for a free chat with a life insurance advisor who specialises in cover for police officers? Get started here.