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Is Zurich Insurance Life Insurance good? (2024 Update)
What is Zurich Insurance Life Insurance like? Competitive UK Insurer ticks 7 boxes in 'Zurich life insurance reviews'. (PROS) 1: Financial Strength 2: Reliable Reputable 3: Claims Payout 4: Family & Business Plans 5: Defaqto Rated 6: Rider Benefits 7: Broker Only Deals. (CONS) Customer Services?
- Financial Strength S&P: Positive
- Is Zurich Insurance Reputable
- Flexible range of Family & Business Protection
- Broker Only Deals
- Is Zurich a Good Insurance Company
Zurich Life Insurance Claims Statistics:
- Insurance claims UK record: Good
- Zurich - protection claims stats | ABI
- 98% life insurance / 91% critical illness / 99% income protection
Zurich Insurance UK protection claims records states that their most common reasons for typical Critical Illness payouts were - Cancer, Heart attack and Stroke. Their most common reason for Income Protection claims were for mental health, neurological disorders, & musculoskeletal.
Note Zurich do also offer general insurance plans but stated in 2023 they intend to slowly withdraw from home & motor personal lines business.
Background - Zurich
Review: Zurich Life Insurance history began in 1872 as a re-insurer. Part of the Zurich Financial Services Group with headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland.
Setting up its headquarters in Swindon town centre in 1970 under the name 'Hambro Life'.
Zurich expanded during the 70's and early 80's with a merger with BAT to newly form Zurich Financial Services.
The direct sales force finally changing to 'Allied Dunbar' in 1985.
That sales force is no longer trading, as Zurich rolled Allied Dunbar into their then new UK financial distribution network, Openwork.
Zurich still owns Allied Dunbar & in 1999 they then took over Eagle Star a trading name of the Zurich Financial Services Group.
To help promote the Zurich brand in the 2020's they sponsor many diverse areas.
'Zurich Insurance Life Insurance' Reviews 2024
In this 'Zurich Life Insurance review', we will look at some broker only plans, key features and FAQ. Zurich protection plans may also give access to …
- Zurich Accelerate covers some key elements
- Gives access to worldwide experts to offer a package of medical care services for cancer, heart & neurological conditions
- Independant help & support on wide range of issues;
- Free professional health counselling + wellbeing services
- Debt management | Legal | Childcare | Lifecoach | Eldercare | Emotional | Daily Living
- Available at claims stage & through the lifetime of your Life Insurance Zurich policy
*What's MSE Martin Lewis Zurich Life Insurance Review?
In terms of the large range of Zurich Insurance products, MoneySavingExpert (MSE) are fully impartial with all their best buy reviews. As you maybe aware neither Martin nor MSE never endorse products.
Yes, they mention individual products & services on MSE site, but they make it very clear don't 'support' them.
What does Martin Lewis say about Zurich Life Insurance?
Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis recommends & has used some Zurich surveys in their range of various news & articles to help them stack up.
For example on a MSE blog *Zurich Insurance said: "We will not use [comparison site quote info] to update our existing customers' information".
Martin Lewis hasn't specifically commented on any other particular Zurich Life Insurance policies & how it stacks up against the competition. But Zurich Life plans are a discussed MSE forum topic.
The MoneySavingExpert however says that he does '100% recommend Life Insurance', especially if you have any dependants. MSE says YES it's a cheap financial lifeline but the ultimate monthly costs choice is always yours.
MSE says 'Thinking about how your family may cope financially if you were to die isn't a very cheerful topic, BUT it is an Important One'.
So Martin Lewis agrees life insurance is important if anyone is reliant on your Income & would struggle financially without you around ie; an insurable interest.
He also discusses the value in other insurance plans if you were off sick, like income protection & critical illness.
Money Expert Martin Lewis for a good rule of thumb in 2024, his Best Life Insurance formula is 'THE 10 x RULE' ie; aim to cover 10 x the Annual income of the highest earner & the main breadwinner until at least any kids have finished their full-time education or other dependants.
To help you calculate a figure that works for you, Martin Lewis on Life Insurance says it's worth ensuring any policy covers:
- Outstanding Debts: that need to be paid off eg; mortgage unless covered by a separate plan
- Immediate Outgoings: regular bills dependants would need to pay
- Future Spending: you may have wished to make eg; university fees
- Additional Expenses: a death may trigger eg; funeral costs
Martin Lewis also suggests being the Money Expert - that you "NEVER BLINDLY BUY DIRECT" expensive policy offers either via your Bank or One Insurer ie; Shop around or use a Broker.
Lastly, MoneySavingExpert also said generally remember, not all insurers plans are featured on insurance comparison sites. As brokers, we would also agree here - so let us help you shop around for your best broker deals.
'ZURICH LIFE INSURANCE Review'
Our 'Zurich life insurance reviews' show their family protection covers the policy holder dies or is diagnosed with a terminal illness during the term.
Offered also with optional earlier critical illness at extra cost. The Zurich life insurance level term plan is available on either on single, dual or joint life 1'st death basis.
Key features
- Lump sums cover
- Guaranteed premiums [ no cash value ]
- Terminal Illness means less than 12 months to live
- Level or Increasing cover upto age 90
- Multi fracture option
- Life change and separation benefits
- Waiver of premium option with fixed deferred period
- Conversion or renewal options
Summary
Our life insurance zurich review shows its often strong competitor in the term life insurance market as part of their Menu Plan.
Designed with many useful features to help protect your family & loved ones if you were to sadly die during its term. Range of complimentary Zurich protection trusts to help ensure the proceeds go efficiently to the correct beneficiaries.
ZURICH MORTGAGE PROTECTION Review
Designed to cover a repayment mortgage on death or terminal illness (with optional earlier critical illness at extra cost). As the mortgage balance slowly decreases during its repayment mortgage term, a Zurich mortgage insurance term policy is designed to decrease to help mirror that of the mortgage.
It is protecting what is for the majority of us, our biggest debt & to remain in their family home, our biggest asset.
Key features
- Guaranteed fixed level premiums [no cash value]
- Decreasing loan rate flexibility
- Terminal Illness means less than 12 months to live
- Waiver of premium option with fixed deferred period
- House purchase free cover
Summary
Our Zurich Life Insurance Review of their mortgage protection decreasing life insurance shows it is fairly price sensitive. It is usually cheaper than Zurich mortgage level term insurance (which is used to insure interest only style mortgages).
As such, if you were to sadly die during its term, your family and loved ones would still be able to protect the mortgage to help stay in their family home.
ZURICH WHOLE OF LIFE Review
Zurich whole of life policy is one that will always payout (whenever death may occur). Is available on either on single, joint life 1'st death or joint life 2'nd death basis. Ideal for people looking for indefinate life insurance with no end or fixed term.
Key features
- Guaranteed premiums
- Level or indexed cover
- Waiver of premium option with fixed deferred period
- Milestone benefit life change, IHT and separation benefits
Summary
Zurich whole of life insurance plan offering is part of their Menu Plan (with no surrender values). It is a flexible solution to help provide a legacy gift for the family.
Alternatively, its ideal for those wishing to potentially mitigate IHT inheritance tax liabilities. Range of complimentary Zurich protection trusts to help ensure the proceeds go efficiently to the correct beneficiaries.
ZURICH CRITICAL ILLNESS Cover Review
Helps ease financial worries if you or one of your children are diagnosed with various listed critical illness, as specified by Zurich Insurance.
This Zurich critical illness term plan is available on either on single, dual or joint life 1'st claim and on a stand-alone protection basis. You can have standard or an upgraded cover for adult & child.
Key features
- Select' upgraded critical illness option covers further full & part payment conditions, accelerated surgeries, hospital benefit.
- Child Select also covers additional critical illness conditions
- Level, decreasing, increasing critical illness cover (all available with optional lifecover and critical illness.)
- Guaranteed premiums [ no cash value ]
- Waiver of premium option with fixed deferred period
- Various renewal options
- Multi fracture option
- Total permanent disability
- Life change and separation benefits
Summary
Zurich Critical illness cover is part of their Menu Plan. Zurich Life and Critical Illness cover is usually highly competitive in the UK critical illness market with useful option of standard or enhanced cover with the ability to also enhance child benefit.
Like most UK Insurers, Zurich critical illness terms & conditions often change regularly, so please call us for latest advice or check these updates out when doing your critical illness comparison quotes.
Zurich Critical Illness Insurance - Client Story
ZURICH INCOME PROTECTION Review
Providing longer term security by way of a tax free monthly income if you are off longer term sick or have an accident or disability as specified by Zurich Insurance.
Available as a longer term income policy that pays out if you can't work and so suffer a loss of earnings due to illness or injury during the policy term. Standard or select options
Key features
- Level or increasing cover
- Risk class assessed based on occupation
- Guaranteed premiums [ no cash in value ]
- The cover amount paid tax free calculated on % of annual salary
- Full cover to term or 2 year limited payment term
- Initial multiple waiting, deferred periods of 4, 8, 13, 26, 52, 104 weeks or dual deferred
- Waiver of premium to tie in with income benefit
- Hospital, Trauma, Back to work, Needlestick, Funeral, Multi-fracture benefits
- Minimum Benefit guarantee & Linked claims
- Package arrangement specially for Frontline NHS doctors, surgeons
Summary
Income Protection Zurich plan may offer a higher age at entry limit than others re monthly income tax free offering, when reviewed against some other Income Protection PHI Insurers.
Check their income protection Zurich terms when doing a quote or call us as to wether PHI policy being offered to you is paid under own occupation, any occupation or specified work tasks.
ZURICH BUSINESS PROTECTION Review
Offering company business protection for a variety of reasons ( with optional earlier critical illness at extra cost ); Key person cover, loan share protection or an employee dies, is diagnosed with a critical or terminal illness during the term.
Key features
- Group Life or shareholder cover options
- Zurich relevant life cover has tax benefits
- Guaranteed premiums [ no cash value ]
- Lump sum level, Decreasing or Increasing cover with installment option
- Waiver of premium option with fixed deferred period
- Conversion or renewal options
Summary
Zurich business protection is competitive and helps insure your business life & employees against life's challenges during its policy term.
Range of complimentary Zurich business protection trusts to help ensure the proceeds go efficiently to the correct beneficiaries.
ZURICH - Group Life Assurance Review
Range of Zurich Group Insurance workplace benefits. They can provide a tax-free payment made to an employee’s family if they die or off long term sickness or injury while working for their employer.
As an employer, you can choose who you may wish to cover within your policy eg; just include employees aged between 20 and 70.
Key features
- Group Life Assurance or Group Income Protection
- Registered Group Life Insurance or Excepted Group Life Insurance
- Option to Insure a multiple of salary, % of salary or fixed benefits
- A tax-deductible business expense
- No medical underwriting in most cases upto certain limits
- May cover a wide range of organisations eg; Ltd Company, Equity Partnerships
- Will cover most UK employees eg; permanent, zero hours, temporary, directors, part time
- Rehabilitation help,
- Lifecover set up via Zurich Discretionary Master Trust
Summary
Zurich Group Flexible benefits range is competitive in the Group market. As the employer, you can either select the type of benefits you may offer, including any core or voluntary benefits.
Or you can put your employees in control of their own benefits package using your flexible benefits platform. Their rehabilitation services are a useful early intervention help to aid recovery.
'LIFE INSURANCE ZURICH' Review - Broker FAQ
Does Zurich look after Eagle Star, Allied Dunbar, Allied Hambro, Hambro Life?
Yes, Zurich now deals with old plans from these Life Insurers who form the Zurich group. Contact them with any inquiries
Can you make changes to your life policy?
In terms of a 'Zurich Insurance review', often you can request some of the following:
- reduce or perhaps extend the period of cover
- decrease or increase the amount of lifecover
- remove indexation option or any specific paid for policy features
- change the collection date of your usual premiums
- remove a life assured from a joint policy eg; if a unmarried couple or new parents sadly split up
The changes could be subject to medical underwriting based on your circumstances at the time & may well affect your premiums.
How do I cancel my Zurich Life Policy?
You may cancel your Zurich Life UK plan at any time, if your circumstances change. Like all life insurance, you do have the right to change your mind within 30 days of your policy starting. The Insurers will then refund any premiums taken and your Life insurance cover would then end.
However, if you should cancel the Zurich life insurance policy at any other time, you won't get anything back because your policy usually has no cash in values at anytime. This also means if your health changed adversely afterwards & you then tried to request your Zurich life insurance policy is put back onto cover again, this maybe declined.
We suggest you seek professional advice before taking this course of action.
Single v Dual v Joint life Insurance?
A single life insurance means it covers just that 1 person only. It then pays out the chosen amount of cover if the person dies, or is terminally or critically ill during the term of the policy or whenever the event occurs it occurs if whole life.
The benefit of having 2 seperate plans (known as dual life insurance) if in a relationship & one partner claims, then the surviving partner still has their own seperate policy.
Zurich 'joint' life insurance policy means it jointly covers 2 lives but then usually pays out on '1st death or claim' basis.
This means once the chosen amount of cover is paid, the policy benefits would then end. This is usually the cheaper option for Insurers (as it only pays benefits once) but conversely leaving the surviving partner without any cover.
Death Claims, Life Insurance Trusts & Life of Another
Who the Zurich life insurance maybe actually then paid out to can be more complicated & many people wrongly assume it is a simple process.
If it is a joint life 1'st death policy or if it single life policy owned by another person " life of another" then it will just be paid to the survivor.
However, if it is a single life policy it can be more complex. Check if the policy was setup & written into a trust.
If so the Insurer will pay the life insurance via the trustees named to the nominated beneficiaries directly. Sometimes there are a named beneficiary & others times a list of potential beneficiaries.
The life insurance paid out doesn’t have to be included in the legal documents sent for probate and potentially it won’t be liable for inheritance tax either.
Should I put my 'Zurich Life Insurance' in Trust?
When a life insurance isn’t written into trust, it will be paid to the executors of the deceased’s estate. They will handle the administration, known as probate in N Ireland, England, Wales and confirmation in Scotland. If not, the benefits will fall into your estate if you died prematurely. If you have not made a will, this can then cause further complications with the life insurance monies.
Until probate is fully granted, no monies can be paid out to those named in the will. On average, this can take upto 6 months. By not placing the plan into trust may also swell up the total estate values, leading to potentially Inheritance Tax IHT issues.
So placing a policy in trust can help to ensure that the death insurance policy proceeds go to the correct beneficiaries you decide to nominate at that stage. It can also help avoid possible probate delays & IHT costs. Ask the Insurers to kindly provide their available standard trust form wordings & seek legal advice if unsure.
Importance of Disclosure & Claims?
All Insurers like Zurich Insurance are in business to protect, insure & payout. Insurance cover is therefore based on your full disclosure at the time you took the original Zurich policy out ie; being 100% as honest & accurate as possible. It is not always easy to remember all your historic health details when applying.
The Consumer Insurance Act 2013 says you must not be acting careless, deliberate or reckless when applying. eg; Not disclose if you familial history of raised blood pressure or raised cholesterol (even if it costs more). If so, it may not payout !
Should you make a claim, your Insurers will send you a claim form for you to complete. Once received back, they will usually contact your GP to confirm any health details.
They will then assess if your insurance claim is valid and cross check if you originally disclosed all the correct details. If you look at the Insurers recent claims payout, you will see that it is Good (but our Zurich insurance reviews UK show like most Insurers - not 100%).
What if my health or lifestyle changes after taking a policy out?
Any health or lifestyle changes since, usually does not void your existing 'Zurich Life Insurance' policy, if it wasn't relevant at that time of initial underwritten insurance application. For example, later on diagnosed with diabetic type 2. It maybe the Insurers request GP reports when you originally apply, to check any health details disclosed. Likewise they may not. Perhaps they put in some policy exclusions?
So take care to doubly re-check on your application what you initially disclosed to the Insurers, as this information then stands now and in the future. Please check your original T&C's.
If I start smoking after taking out Life Insurance do I tell them?
If you had legitimately quit smoking for over 12 months at that time of original application, you may wish to advise the Insurers you have started smoking again.
This should not affect the original Zurich policy terms which should still stand, as you were being honest. Also maybe suggest letting your GP know if this is the case.
Zurich Shares Price?
For the latest Zurich share price uk - click on this investment link: Zurich share price lse Note: we do not give any investment or share advice.
Article: 'Zurich Insurance Life Insurance Review' by Martyn Spencer Financial Adviser (2024)
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