Protection insurance services
Simply Zest helps UK individuals and families understand life insurance, critical illness cover, income protection and private medical insurance. We assess what you already have, explain what each policy is designed to do and recommend suitable cover for your circumstances and budget.
One conversation. A complete view of your protection needs.
Advice shaped around the people, income and commitments that matter to you.
Protection is not one product. The right starting point is the event you want to prepare for and the financial effect it could have on you or the people around you.
Protect the people who rely on you
Life insurance can pay a lump sum or regular income if an insured person dies while covered. It can help a partner, children or other dependants manage the mortgage, household bills and future costs.
What it can help with
Typical benefit format
A lump sum or regular payments, depending on the policy
Financial support after a serious diagnosis
Critical illness cover can pay a one-off lump sum when you are diagnosed with a condition that meets the definition in your policy. The money can support recovery, reduce debt or help with changes at home.
What it can help with
Typical benefit format
Usually a one-off lump sum after a valid claim
Protect part of your monthly income
Income protection can provide regular payments if illness or injury prevents you from working and the policy definition is met. Payments normally begin after an agreed deferred period.
What it can help with
Typical benefit format
Regular payments covering an agreed portion of income
All insurance is subject to eligibility, underwriting and the terms and conditions of the chosen policy. Cover definitions, exclusions, limits and claim requirements vary between insurers.
The key difference is what must happen before a policy can pay and whether the benefit is intended for you, your healthcare or the people who depend on you.
| Type of cover | Responds when | Typical benefit | Main purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life insurance | The insured person dies while covered | Lump sum or regular payments | Financial support for the people left behind |
| Critical illness cover | A diagnosis meets a condition definition in the policy | Usually a one-off lump sum | Financial flexibility during treatment or recovery |
| Income protection | Illness or injury prevents work under the policy definition | Regular payments after a deferred period | Replace part of lost earnings and support ongoing bills |
These are general descriptions, not a statement that a particular policy will pay. A valid claim must meet the wording and conditions of the policy in force.
One person may have several protection needs. These examples show how to frame the conversation, rather than prescribing a product.
Life insurance may help protect the people who rely on you. Critical illness cover and income protection can address different risks if you become seriously ill or cannot work.
Income protection may be relevant if your savings or employer sick pay would not support your essential spending for long. The right deferred period should reflect the support you already have.
Without employer sick pay, protecting income can be especially important. Advice should consider how your income is evidenced, how variable it is and how long your savings could cover your commitments.
We turn a broad concern—protecting your family, earnings or health—into a clear recommendation you can understand.
We discuss your family, work, health, financial commitments, existing cover and a budget you can maintain.
Your adviser reviews relevant products and providers, including policy definitions, exclusions, features and underwriting considerations.
You receive a clear explanation of what is recommended, why it may be suitable and the important limitations to understand.
We help with the application and insurer communication, then remain available as the case moves through underwriting and into force.
These general answers can help you prepare for an advised conversation. Your recommendation will depend on your own circumstances and the policy terms available.
That depends on the financial risk you want to protect. Life insurance supports other people after your death, critical illness cover can provide a lump sum after a qualifying diagnosis, and income protection can replace part of your earnings if illness or injury prevents you from working. Some people use more than one type because each responds to a different event.
Critical illness cover usually pays a one-off lump sum when a diagnosis meets one of the policy definitions. Income protection usually pays a regular benefit when illness or injury prevents you from working under the policy definition, following an agreed deferred period. A condition could qualify under one policy and not the other, so wording matters.
A useful starting point is to consider debts, mortgage or rent, household spending, income, dependants, childcare, savings and existing workplace benefits. The amount should reflect the need you want to protect while keeping premiums affordable over the intended policy term.
It may still be possible. The outcome depends on the condition, its severity and treatment, your wider health, the product and the insurer. An insurer may offer standard terms, charge a higher premium, apply an exclusion where appropriate, postpone a decision or decline an application.
Life insurance is not legally required for a UK mortgage, but it can be arranged to help a partner or family deal with the outstanding balance after a death. Decreasing cover is often considered for repayment mortgages, while level cover can support needs that do not reduce over time.
Pricing can depend on the type and amount of cover, policy term, age, health, smoking status, occupation and lifestyle. Income protection also considers factors such as the benefit amount, deferred period and incapacity definition. The cheapest policy is not always the most suitable.
Usually, you should not cancel existing cover until any replacement policy has been accepted, started and checked. Your age or health may have changed since the original policy began, so replacement terms might be different or unavailable.
Timeframes vary. Some applications can receive a decision quickly, while others need additional medical information, a GP report or further underwriting. We help manage the communication and keep you updated during the process.
For additional impartial guidance, explore these MoneyHelper resources from the Money and Pensions Service.
After a long chat with Sophie we agreed on the best approach. The team is non-pushy and completely honest about what they can provide.
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