29 Oct 2025

Choosing the best life insurance for your needs

The best life insurance is of course subjective, as everyone has different needs when it comes to their financial protection. But as we’ll explore, there are some independent criteria – from awards to customer feedback – that could give you a sense of each life insurance provider’s offering and reputation. 

Child dressed up in super hero costume


How to pick the best life insurance for your needs

Life insurance can provide financial support to your loved ones if you die while covered by a policy. But is there really such a thing as the best life insurance? In reality, your work situations, family dynamics and financial commitments will be different to others.

Which type of life insurance is right for me?

Just as every household is different, life insurance policies come in various forms, so the ‘best’ policy depends on your needs. To help you decide, here is a brief summary of the types of life insurance policy you may encounter. 

  • Level term life insurance – the payout amount is fixed, regardless of when a claim is made during the policy term.
  • Decreasing life insurance – the payout reduces over time, roughly in line with how a repayment mortgage reduces
  • Whole of life insurance – offers lifetime cover, not just a specified amount of time. You would need to speak with a financial adviser for more information on this type of policy.

How to choose the best UK life insurance provider

There are hundreds of life insurance providers in the UK, so to help you choose the best option, here are some factors you might want to consider when you compare life insurance providers.

  • Consumer protection. It's sensible to choose a life insurance company that's subject to UK regulations, which is required in order to be financially stable. If the insurer cannot pay its claims, a government backed scheme (FSCS) pays compensation.
  • How the policy compares. There is more than one type of life insurance available. Shop around for an insurer that offers the type of policy you need.
  • Do they pay out? People buy life insurance to protect their loved ones. It's a good idea to check the insurers’ payout record for peace of mind.
  • Reputation. Does the life insurance provider have a track record in the industry and positive customer reviews?
  • Additional features. Some insurers provide extra benefits, such as the ability to make changes to your policy, and cover for terminal illnesses and accidental deaths.

Why get life insurance with L&G?

We've been protecting families like yours for over 185 years. You can trust us to provide expert cover and supporting benefits.

There when you need us

In 2024 we paid out £583 million in life claims, helping more than 14,000 people and their families.

Wellbeing Support

We've partnered with RedArc Assured Limited to bring you our Wellbeing Support service, offering phone-based services to support your mental health and wellbeing.

Care Concierge

Free access to our team of Care Experts, offering confidential and impartial telephone guidance. This can help you or loved ones understand and find adult and later life care. Find out more.

How does L&G compare?

We’re proud to have a well-earned reputation as being among the best life insurance providers.


We were immensely proud to be awarded Moneyfacts Life Insurance Provider of the Year (Direct) at the 2025 annual Consumer Moneyfacts awards for the sixth consecutive year. 

Moneyfacts
Defaqto 5 star expert rated image


Our life insurance is 5 Star Defaqto rated - the highest rating possible!

What our customers have to say

Trust and reliability are two major factors for customers when choosing the best life insurance companies, but the most important thing for us is hearing first hand from our customers, how life insurance really has made a difference to their lives.

Kay and Ellie's story

Kay is a Legal & General customer, who together with her husband, Chris, decided to take out life insurance to help protect them should the worst ever happen. Watch Kay and Ellie's full story as they share with us the impact that life insurance had on their lives at such a difficult time.

kay and ellies story video thumbnail

Helpful tools


If you're not sure which of our products might suit your needs, take a look at our useful types of life insurance article which could help you decide the right product for you.

You can also use our life insurance calculator to help you work out how much cover you might need.

Rebecca Brace

Rebecca Brace

Insurance Content Specialist, L&G Retail, Insurance

Rebecca’s a digital content manager, focusing on protection. She makes sure that our customers can find all the content they need at every stage of their insurance journeys, either on our website or via a search engine. She also helps develop the content itself, working with other internal teams to ensure that it’s both accurate and complies with all relevant regulations.

More about Rebecca

Related articles

life cover - images - BANNER - couple on sofa - 730x411

Single vs joint life insurance

A regular question when couples take out life insurance is whether the insurance should be taken out on a single or joint life basis?
life cover - resources - img - types of life insurance - couple - 730x411

Types of life insurance

In this article, we’ll explain the main types of life insurance available and what kind of customer they might be best suited to.
Family sitting together outside, embracing

Life insurance for your family

Protect your loved ones’ standard of living with family life insurance from Legal & General. Read about our family life insurance plans and get a quote.