Best Life Insurance Ireland 2024
A guide to assist you in getting the Best Life Insurance.
-
Ian Kennedy QFA
- August 25th, 2023
When it comes to Life Insurance, there are lots of aspects to consider.
We all have different needs and circumstances meaning there’s no one-size-fits-all solution.
The one thing we have in common is we want the best policy we can get.
Although Life Insurance as a whole is similar, each insurance provider will have nuances.
In Ireland, there are five main providers of Life Insurance:
- Aviva
- Royal London
- Zurich
- Irish Life
- New Ireland
Each provider offers different additional benefits. These benefits come free when you take out a policy with any of the above.
There are essentially two ‘bests’ when it comes to Life Insurance in Ireland:
- Who’s the best provider
- What’s the best type of cover for your situation
Ideally, you’ll combine both.
That’s why we wrote this guide. So after reading, you’ll know exactly what provider and type of Life Insurance is most suited for you.
So, how do you know which provider is best suited to your situation?
It’ll depend on several factors such as:
- Your age
- Health condition and previous medical history
- Budget
- How much do you value particular additional benefits
- How quickly do you need cover
Each of these will be specific to your situation. One person may value more than another.
Developing a criteria
To decide who offers the best Life Insurance in Ireland, we also developed a set of criteria to judge each provider.
We’ll use these criteria as a framework as we critique each provider.
- Policy offering
- Price
- Additional benefits
- Underwriting process
- Claims process
Best Life Insurance Ireland Criteria - Breakdown
We have developed a criteria for assessing the best Life Insurance provider in Ireland using:
- Policy offering
- Price
- Additional benefits
- Underwriting process
- Claims process
A combination of the above allows you to compartmentalise what each provider offers and why they may be the best choice for you.
It can be a costly mistake to decide on your life cover solely based on price. It also works in reverse where the most expensive cover is not necessarily the best.
In addition to this in-depth guide, we have other guides throughout our website that can help you choose how much life cover you may need.
What you’ll get from reading this guide
We understand that finding the right insurance can be tricky.
Breaking through all the jargon and acronyms can be overwhelming.
We also all have different needs and circumstances meaning there’s no one-size-fits-all solution.
That’s why we created this guide. So that after reading you’ll know exactly what type of Life Insurance is best for your specific situation.
Specific to your situation is key. What’s best for someone else isn’t necessarily best for you.
After reading, you’ll be equipped with the necessary knowledge to ensure your family is protected.
Before we dive into breaking down policy offerings and providers, we’ll define exactly what Life Insurance is.
What is Life Insurance?
Life Insurance is a financial contract between the policyholder and the insurance company.
It provides a lump sum payout to beneficiaries should the policyholder die during the term of your policy.
This lump sum can pay household bills, loans, mortgages, or general living expenses.
It offers peace of mind and financial security to your loved ones and is a proactive way to protect your family.
How does Life Insurance it work?
Choosing your Life Insurance policy will centre around a couple of important decisions. These include:
1. Sum assured – This is how much you want to insure your life for. For example, €500,000.
2. Policy length – Also referred to as the ‘term’. This is the amount of years your policy will run. For example, 20 years.
3. Type of policy – You will have the option of joint versus single life cover as well other options such as level versus convertible cover.
Your choices on the above will directly impact the cost of your monthly premium. i.e, a lower sum assured will mean a cheaper premium.
Feel free to click the button below to use our Life Insurance Calculator or scroll past to continue learning about the Best Life Insurance in Ireland.
What does Life Insurance cover?
Benefits received from a Life Insurance policy have several uses.
Although, most of our clients use the benefit to:
- Provide financial security after a loved one has passed
- Repay a mortgage or any outstanding debts or loans
- Cover funeral expenses
- Protect against an inheritance tax liability (Section 72 Policy)
💭 What is a section 72 policy?
A Section 72 is a Revenue Approved, Whole of Life Insurance policy taken out from which the proceeds can be specifically used to pay Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT)
Are there different types of Life Insurance?
Within Life Insurance, there are nuances associated with each policy. The best option for you will depend on your specific circumstances.
It is important to decide what policy is most suitable at the outset. Ensure you are protecting what is most important along with the needs of your family.
The five main types of Life Insurance are:
Level Term Cover
This is often the default option when choosing your Life Insurance. This type of cover will pay a lump sum to your beneficiaries if you die during a specific term.
For example, €500,000 over 20 years.
Should the policyholder die outside of this term, no payment will be made.
Convertible Term Cover
Convertible term cover is similar to level term.
However, the main difference is that Convertible Term Insurance allows you to extend your current policy into a new policy without having to undergo a medical examination.
This additional benefit is a ‘conversion option’.
Adding this conversion option to your policy will increase the price of your premium.
Although for a small increase it adds security and peace of mind knowing your policy can be extended.
Decreasing Term Cover
The value of a Decreasing Term Insurance policy will reduce over time. An example of this type of policy is Mortgage Protection.
The benefit,i.e. The amount paid on death decreases each year. Eventually, the policy will reach zero.
This policy is useful for Mortgage Protection as it is designed to fall in line with your outstanding mortgage balance. Over the years both the mortgage balance and life policy decrease.
Whole of Life Cover
Opting for a Whole of Life Insurance policy offers certainty. It is paid over the policyholder’s full life rather than a set number of years.
The beneficiaries are paid a lump sum on the death of the policyholder.
This type of Life Insurance policy is suited to those looking to limit their inheritance tax liability or for those looking to leave a guaranteed amount.
Specified Serious Illness Cover
Specified Serious Illness Cover will pay a tax-free lump sum should the policyholder be diagnosed with an illness outlined in the policy.
Often Specified Serious Illness Cover is added to a Life Insurance policy. Although it can also be purchased as a standalone policy.
It is important to note that you must be diagnosed with an illness within your policy conditions to be eligible for a lump sum.
If you are unsure what illnesses may be covered it may be worth speaking with an advisor.
Who is the best Life Insurance provider in Ireland?
Finding the best Life Insurance provider will likely be dependent on a couple of factors.
Most providers in Ireland offer similar products with similar benefits. Therefore, understanding the nuances is important.
Knowing the subtle differences will allow you to access the cover most suitable for your circumstances.
Within Ireland, the five main Life Insurance providers are:
- Aviva
- Royal London
- Zurich
- Irish Life
- New Ireland
- Aviva
- Royal London
- Zurich
- New Ireland
- Irish Life
At emero, we can take an unbiased approach and scan the entire market.
We also provide access to a quote engine that allows you to contrast and compare providers.
Below we break down each Life Insurance provider and detail their offering.
Aviva provides insurance to over 33 million customers globally.
Aviva is the leading insurer in Ireland, and is part of the Aviva group which is present across 16 markets in Europe, Asia and Canada. The UK, Canada and Ireland are Aviva’s core markets and account for 18 million customers.
- Minimum entry age: 19 (age at next birthday)
- Max entry age: 74 (age at next birthday)
- Second medical opinion: Yes
- Cover types available: Level / Convertible / Decreasing
- Joint cover: Yes
Aviva's Best Additional Benefits
- Best Doctors – this provides you access to a database of doctors globally allows you to get a second opinion on your diagnosis.
- Accidental death benefit – cover will be provided from the moment you send in a completed application form. Accidental death cover will be provided until your application is accepted or declined.
- Terminal Illness benefit – Aviva pays your life cover amount should you be diagnosed with an advanced or rapidly progressing incurable illness.
- Children’s life cover – your children are covered for €5,000.
💭 emero’s thoughts
We believe Aviva provides an excellent service for us when assisting clients. They have a strong track record combined with superb additional benefits.
Some of the reasons we choose Aviva are:
✅ Long-standing, proven track record
✅ First-class additional benefits
✅ Wide range of products
✅ Multiple award winning service
Royal London Ireland has a history of protecting our policyholders and their families for over 190 years.
Based in Dublin, they’re a fully owned subsidiary of The Royal London Mutual Society Limited, the largest mutual life, pensions and investment company in the UK.
Royal London provides protection products through Financial Brokers such as emero.
- Minimum entry age: 19 (age at next birthday)
- Max entry age: 74 (age at next birthday)
- Second medical opinion: Yes
- Cover types available: Level / Convertible / Decreasing / Whole of Life
- Joint cover: Yes
Royal London's Best Additional Benefits
- Helping Hand Service – Royal London provides personal support and assistance at no extra cost. Should you suffer an illness, injury or bereavement, Helping Hand provides you with additional support.
Royal London works alongside Red Arc who will provide access to a dedicated nurse. Red Arc provides additional emotional support from a professional while your medical team works to improve your condition.
This additional benefit provides you with access to nurses, therapists and counsellors.
- Separation Option – This provides the ability to split a joint/dual life policy into a single policy in the event of a separation.
💭 emero’s thoughts
Royal London has been a market leader in the UK for over 190 years.
Although they are relatively new to the Irish market, they are not new to Life Insurance. They have over 4,500 employees globally and are increasing their market share in Ireland each year.
At emero, we have no hesitation working alongside and recommending Royal London to our clients.
Some of the reasons we choose Royal London are:
✅ Long history of providing excellent customer service
✅ Forward thinking online processes
✅ Strong claim pay out percentage
✅ Multiple award-winning service
Zurich Life Assurance plc (‘Zurich Life’) is a leading multi-line insurer that serves its customers in global and local markets.
With approximately 53,000 employees globally and over 1,000 in Ireland alone, Zurich is one of Ireland’s leading insurers.
Zurich’s headquarters are located in Blackrock, Co Dublin.
- Minimum entry age: 18
- Max entry age: 74
- Second medical opinion: No
- Cover types available: Level / Convertible / Decreasing
- Joint cover: Yes
Zurich's Best Additional Benefits
- Monthly Income on Death – This allows the beneficiaries the option of reviewing a Life Insurance payment on a monthly basis over a period of time.
- Hospital Cash Cover – The policyholder will be paid a daily amount after spending a certain amount of days in the hospital.
- Long Term Care Conversion – This allows the policyholder the option to convert any unwanted sum assured into a long-term care benefit.
💭 emero’s thoughts
Zurich Life traditionally put a heavy emphasis on Pensions and Investments. However, they have recently increased their efforts in the Life Insurance space.
They provide some really good products with many additional benefits. Zurich is always worth assessing when comparing the marker for the best Life Insurance offering.
Some of the reasons we choose Zurich are:
✅ Global company with a proven track record
✅ Best Term Insurance, National Consumer Awards 2020
✅ Strong claim pay out percentage
✅ Strong communication and experienced team based in Dublin, Ireland
New Ireland was the first wholly owned Life Assurance company in Ireland. They provide Life Insurance products to both corporate and individual customers.
New Ireland is one of the largest providers of protection products and services in Ireland with over 560,000 custom contracts.
They currently employ upwards of 550 employees at the main offices in Frederick St, Dublin 2.
- Minimum entry age: 18
- Max entry age: 74
- Second medical opinion: No
- Cover types available: Level / Convertible / Decreasing / Whole of Life
- Joint cover: Yes
New Ireland's Best Additional Benefits
- Monthly Income on Death – This allows the beneficiaries the option of reviewing a Life Insurance payment on a monthly basis over a period of time.
- Surgical Cash Benefit – The policyholder may receive part of their specified illness benefit should they require major surgery
💭 emero’s thoughts
New Ireland is slightly different to the other Life Insurance providers above. They are owned by Bank of Ireland Group.
They have over €21 billion of funds under management (as of December 2021)
They also paid out over €119 million in claims in 2020.
Some of the reasons we choose New Ireland are:
✅ Long-term and successful indigenous organisation
✅ Excess of 560,000 customers across Ireland
✅ Strong claim pay out percentage
✅ Large teams of employees specialising in protection
Irish Life has been assisting Irish consumers for over 80 years. They are one of the leading Life Insurance providers.
Since 2013, Irish Life has been part of the Great-West Lifeco Group, one of the world’s leading Life Assurance companies.
- Minimum entry age: 18
- Max entry age: 82
- Second medical opinion: Yes
- Cover types available: Level / Convertible / Decreasing / Whole of Life
- Joint cover: Yes
Irish Life's Best Additional Benefits
Irish Life offers a popular plan called ‘Life Care’. Under this plan you receive three major benefits. These include:
- MedCare – this will provide you with the option of a second opinion from specialists across the UK and Ireland.
- NurseCare – is a 24/7 helpline that all policyholders have access to.
- ClaimCare – is a dedicated claims handling service. ClaimCare also provides three free counselling sessions for your next-of-kin through the Clanwilliam Institute.
💭 emero’s thoughts
Irish Life is a well-known and popular choice among Irish consumers. Similar to New Ireland, they are tied to some of Ireland’s largest banks and gain a lot of customers indirectly through this.
We can see from the above they also offer some advantageous additional benefits.
Some of the reasons we choose New Ireland are:
✅ Part of a strong performing, global group.
✅ Over €270 million in claims paid out in 2020
✅ High claim pay out percentage
✅ Transparency around claim statistics and vast amounts of information available
Best Life Insurance for those with a young family
Having Life Insurance is often most important for those with a young family. It’s often when we’re most vulnerable financially.
Those left behind would likely struggle financially if something were to happen.
We also understand there is a cost element. So, it’s important to get the best possible policy at the best price.
Below we’ve broken down what to consider along with outlining who may be the best insurer for you.
Best type of policy | Dual Life Insurance (if feasible). A Dual policy covers both partners and pays out on both deaths |
Length of policy | Approx. 15-25 years. Tip – Put cover in place until your youngest child reaches age 23. |
Coverage amount | Approx €200,000 – €500,0000. Tip – Use a multiple of your salary and living expenses when calculating cover. |
Cost of premiums | Approx €20-50 per month. The cost of the premium will depend on factors such as; age, length of cover, and sum assured. |
🏆 Best provider of Life Insurance for those with a young family – Aviva
Why did we choose Aviva?
Aviva has been a market leader for Life Insurance in Ireland for over 20 years. However, there are specific reasons we chose them as the best provider for those with a young family.
- Best Doctors – With kids in particular, it can be terrifying if they get ill. Having access to this provides you access to over 50,000 leading medical specialists across 450 specialities.
- Digital GP – As a parent, your time is precious and juggling schedules can be challenging. With Aviva Digi GP, you can secure an online doctor’s appointment for yourself or your child, eliminating the wait and hassle of in-person visits
Best Life Insurance for those with a health issue
Having some pre-existing medical conditions can in some cases make getting Life Insurance more difficult. However, it’s very much on a case-by-case basis.
Just because you’ve been diagnosed with an illness doesn’t mean you’ll automatically be refused cover.
If you have a medical condition, it’s best to flag this at the start. This way we can chat with the underwriters in different insurers to see which would be the best fit.
The process will go similarly to the below:
- Contact a member of our team and discuss the relevant health condition(s).
- We’ll likely ask you to complete a short form gathering some more medical information.
- We contact the various underwriting departments and discuss your case anonymously.
- Judging by the responses from the senior underwriters, we’ll advise you which we feel would be most suitable for your specific situation.
- We’ll submit your application to go through the underwriting process.
- After liaising with the insurer, we’ll inform you of the decision.
When it comes to the best provider of Life Insurance for those with a health condition there’s no single insurer. The process is nuanced and individualistic.
The most important thing is to contact us as soon as possible. Get the process started and assess whether getting cover in place will be a viable option.
This doesn’t only apply to Life Insurance. Anyone going through the mortgage process with a pre-existing health condition should be doing similar.
Contact your broker and get your Mortgage Protection application started. Doing so will help avoid any potential roadblocks.
Best Life Insurance for those on a budget
It’s important to start this section by highlighting that cheaper isn’t always better.
Although, in most cases, having some cover in place is better than nothing at all.
When it comes to Life Insurance, the market is competitive. For those looking for the best Life Insurance on a budget, you’ll likely have many options.
There are 4 important rules when buying Life Insurance on a budget:
- Use a broker who deals with all five insurers.
- Avoid buying cover directly from the insurer themselves.
- Opt for a basic policy.
- Maintain good health.
Best type of policy | Level term, a single policy without any conversion option. |
Best place to take out cover | Using a broker will allow you to compare the market. They’ll also have access to exclusive discounts. |
Best time to take out cover | When looking for a cost-effective premium, it’s important to take out cover as early as possible. |
🏆 Best provider of Life Insurance for those on a budget – Royal London
Why did we choose Royal London?
Royal London has been a leader in the insurer and protecting customers for almost 200 years.
They also do not deal directly with the public, further highlighting the need to use a broker.
- First month’s cover free – As of August 2023, Royal London is running an offer that includes your first month’s cover free.
- Price matching – In a price-sensitive market, Royal London’s price matching feature is a huge plus. In many cases, they also offer further discounts.
Best Life Insurance for young adults
As a rule of thumb, the earlier you buy your policy, the less you’ll pay.
Although it might not be top of your list, there’s never a bad time to ensure your financial stability. If you’ve got any kids or dependents, Life Insurance should be a priority.
Best type of policy | A level-term policy including a conversion option. |
Best additional benefits | Aviva offers the best additional benefits for young adults. Access to Best Doctors and a digital GP service sets them apart. |
Best online tools and customer experience | Zurich offers the best online customer experience with an easy-to-navigate online portal system. |
🏆 Best provider of Life Insurance for those on a budget – Zurich
In some cases, you may be unsure whether you need a Life Insurance policy.
When deciding whether to take out cover, here’s some questions to ask yourself:
- Do I have family members who depend on me financially?
- Do I have children?
- Do I have a partner that depends on my income?
- Does my partner already have Life Insurance, or do we need a joint policy?
Even as a younger person, answering yes to any of the above means Life Insurance should be in place.
Best Life Insurance for those over 50
Life is unpredictable at the best of times. Therefore, Life Insurance is important no matter your age or stage in life.
Taking out Life Insurance in your fifties will work much the same as any other age. However, they may be a more in-depth underwriting procedure. Depending on the age of the applicant, max entry ages will also need to be considered.
There’s also a specific cover called over 50’s cover.
This is specifically designed for those over age 50 to pass on a tax-free lump sum. It also bypasses the need for medical underwriting.
If this is something of interest, it may be worth contacting our team.
Best affordability | A level-term policy without a conversion option would be the most cost-effective solution. |
Best underwriting process | Many of the insurers have a similar underwriting process but, in our opinion, Royal London offers the most efficient underwriting process for those over 50. |
🏆 Best provider of Life Insurance for those on a budget – Royal London
What are the chances of you needing Life Insurance?
The chances of us dying are often higher than we may think. Some key points to consider are:
- On average, we are five times more likely to pass away than we think.
- Irish households only have an average savings of €6,200 total. This is less than two months of the national average wage.
🔍 (source: Central Statistics Office)
The average monthly spend by Irish households in 2021 was €2,601.
Aviva provides a risk calculator. This allows us to look at the chance of death or becoming ill before a certain age.
The below is for a male, non-smoker before they reach age 70.
| Age | Risk of suffering serious illness | Risk of death |
| 40 | 20% | 7% |
What percentage of Life Insurance claims are paid out?
Life Insurance claims are in excess of 96% across all leading insurers.
The Life Insurance industry is different from car or general insurance. Once your premiums are continuously paid and you are truthful at the application stage you have nothing to worry about.
Below we look at the 2021 claim statistics from 3 of the top Life Insurance providers.
The lowest payout rate for Life Insurance claims is 96%.
Provider | Percentage of claims paid in 2021 (Life Insurance only) |
Avvia | 96% |
Zurich | 98% |
Royal London | 99% |
Please note, that the above figures may vary depending on updated reports.
Some reasons a claim may not be awarded are:
- Premiums payments have ceased
- Not truthful during the application stage
- Policy was cancelled
What is not covered by Life Insurance?
There are certain activities or events that will lead to an unsuccessful claim.
Most insurers exclude:
- Death due to acts of war
- Dangerous pastimes or hobbies
- Certain high-risk occupations
Although exclusions are scarce, it is important to know what they are.
Life Insurance Quote Comparisons
Cost is a major factor in most decisions we make. Choosing Life Insurance is no different.
Although a decision should not be made solely on price alone, it is beneficial to compare different options along with providers.
These comparisons are helpful as we each have a different set of circumstances.
Some people might require a larger amount of cover, while a lower amount may be sufficient for others.
Below we compare the price of Life Insurance for different ages. As you would expect, it is cheaper the younger you are.
We’ll compare each of Ireland’s leading insurers. These include:
- Aviva
- Royal London
- Zurich
- New Ireland
- Irish Life
However, we’ll only show the cheapest quote. If you prefer a different insurer, you are welcome to contact our team and we can arrange a quote from your preferred insurer.
During the comparison, the term will remain the same but we’ll interchange the sum assured.
🗒️ Please Note
The below quotes are for 20 year Level Term Life Insurance policy for a non-smoker.
Age | Amount of Life Cover | Monthly Premium |
30 | €150,000 | €10.60 |
30 | €300,000 | €17.96 |
30 | €500,000 | €26.88 |
Age | Amount of Life Cover | Monthly Premium |
40 | €150,000 | €17.69 |
40 | €300,000 | €32.26 |
40 | €500,000 | €49.56 |
Age | Amount of Life Cover | Monthly Premium |
50 | €150,000 | €40.71 |
50 | €300,000 | €78.65 |
50 | €500,000 | €120.77 |
How to calculate how much Life Insurance you may need
You may have noticed while reading this guide that Life Insurance is rarely straightforward.
There are many variables to be considered. Because of this, calculating how much Life Insurance you require can be difficult.
To calculate the appropriate amount of cover you have a couple of options.
- You could calculate it manually taking several factors into account.
- Or, you could use our free Life Insurance Calculator.
Our calculator takes vital information you have inputted and calculates an appropriate amount of cover.
However, you should still consult a licensed financial advisor after using the calculator. It’s not intended to take be a substitute for financial advice.
It serves as a guide and can help you determine the approximate amount of cover that may be needed.
How to choose the best Life Insurance provider?
When comparing Life Insurance providers, it is important to have criteria.
This way you can compare them as a like-for-like as much as possible. Although providers have different additional benefits within some policies which we’ll look at in further detail.
Below we look at aspects that are standard among all insurers. Whoever does each of these best will likely be a suitable choice for you.
Policy offering
Finding the best Life Insurance provider is often the one that aligns best with your needs.
Other than cost, the specific offering of each insurer’s policies plays an important role.
Within the policy offering, there are three main components:
1. Sum assured
This is the amount of cover your beneficiaries will receive should you pass away. For example, €400,000.
2. Policy length
Also referred to as the ‘term’. This is the length of time your policy will run for. The longer the policy term, the more expensive your premiums are. I.e., 25 years.
3. Types of cover
Within a Life Insurance policy, there will be different types of cover available. Level term is more expensive than decreasing term. Whereas Whole of Life cover is the most expensive.
Cost of cover
The price of the cover will vary depending on the insurer. Although price should not be the only factor when choosing Life Insurance.
Some providers offer a price-match option while other providers run discounts at different stages of the year.
While the cost is obviously important, it is only one of several factors.
The cost of your premium will also be affected by personal factors. These include:
- Your age
- Health condition
- Family history
- Smoker status
Other aspects such as the sum assured and the term of the policy will play a significant role.
Below we compare the cost of providers for a 35-year-old, non-smoker looking for a €400,000 convertible life cover policy over 20 years.
Provider | Cost of premium |
Aviva | €30.61 |
Royal London | €30.61 |
Zurich | €30.77 |
New Ireland | €33.26 |
Irish Life | €34.57 |
Underwriting process
If you have a clean bill of health and no family history of illnesses, you will likely be covered immediately.
However, in some cases, your application will be referred to underwriting.
🗒️ What is underwriting?
Underwriting is the process where they will decide how much you will pay for your Life Insurance cover. Your premium is calculated using a number of factors such as your health, family medical history, age and occupation.
Underwriting is the process where they will decide how much you will pay for your Life Insurance cover. Your premium is calculated using a number of factors such as your health, family medical history, age and occupation.
The more likely you are to die or become sick, the more expensive your cover will be.
Most insurers use the same criteria for the underwriting process. If you are declined by one you will likely be declined all round.
Medical evidence requirements
In some applications, additional medical evidence may be required. The underwriting team will request this information before making a decision.
Some of the most common requirements are:
- NM – Nurse Medical Screening
- PMA – Private Medical Attendant’s Report
- IME – Independent Medical Examination
Speed of service
The speed of service and how quickly you receive a decision plays a significant role in determining the best Life Insurance provider in Ireland.
Whether you are required to give additional medical information or not, knowing what direction your case is going in is important.
If the insurer requires a PMA, it usually takes 2-3 weeks for the GP to complete and return.
After making a decision, the underwriter will either:
- Accept you at standard rates
- Offer you special terms (exclusions may apply)
- Postpone you (usually for 6 months)
- Decline your application
Claims Process
The claims process for Life Insurance is often a seamless process.
It differs from car, house, or travel insurance. Life Insurance companies are extremely fair and have a high payout percentage.
As of 2022, the industry average is approximately 98%. Insurers also state they pay 100% of all valid claims.
The claims process in general is fairly standardised. You contact your broker (like us) who will then contact the relevant insurer.
From here, the claim process begins and hopefully, you will be paid in a matter of weeks. No insurer stands out as having the ‘best’ claims process as it is fairly similar across the board.
Best additional benefits offered by Life Insurance providers
The Life Insurance providers in Ireland each have additional benefits built into their policy offerings.
Often these are included with a standard premium. Such additional benefits may persuade an individual to choose a particular insurer over another.
Below we break down the best additional benefit provided by each insurer.
Aviva
🏆 Best additional benefit – Best Doctors
Having a Life Insurance policy with Aviva allows you access to Best Doctors. This service provides independent and objective medical information, advice, and recommendations from leading medical experts.
This helps to ensure your diagnosis is accurate and that you are aware of the most appropriate treatment option available.
Royal London
🏆 Best additional benefit – Instant TLC (Temporary Life Cover)
Royal London launched a new feature offering you peace of mind with instant life cover.
Instant TLC is available on all policies up to €500,000 sum assured. It is available free of charge on all new applications for those under age 60.
Irish Life
🏆 Best additional benefit – Best children’s cover
Although you cannot purchase Life Insurance for a child, often insurers will include your child in your policy.
Irish Life offers the largest benefit at €7,000 per child.
Provider | Amount per child |
Irish Life | €7,000 |
Zurich | €7,000 |
Royal London | €5,000 |
Aviva | €5,000 |
New Ireland | €5,000 |
Zurich
🏆 Best additional benefit – Cancer Cover
Cancer Cover from Zurich can assist you financially as you focus on returning to full health.
Unfortunately, we are all aware of the medical implications of being diagnosed with cancer. However, the financial impact is often overlooked.
Zurich’s Cancer Cover can be purchased as an additional benefit to most Life Insurance policies. It will pay out a tax-free lump sum if you are diagnosed with a cancer outlined in your policy.
Please note the full definitions and discuss them with your advisor before taking out such a policy.
New Ireland
🏆 Best additional benefit – Monthly Income on Death
New Ireland provides a unique benefit called ‘monthly income on death’.
This allows the beneficiaries of a life cover payment the option of having the payment made monthly over a sustained period.
Often a death will be an emotional and stressful time. This payment option allows the monies to be drip-fed over a longer period of time. From here the beneficiary can plan accordingly and ensure the benefits last.
Provider | Monthly Income on Death |
New Ireland | Yes |
Zurich | Yes |
Royal London | No |
Aviva | No |
Irish Life | No |
Other additional benefits
There are other additional benefits that overlap and are offered by most insurers.
There are several other additional benefits that come with a Life Insurance policy. These include:
- Accidental death cover
- Terminal illness benefit
- Critical illness cover
- Hospital cash benefit
- Personal accident benefit
- Family income benefit
The additional benefits included in your policy will be dependent on your provider.
There may also be restrictions or exclusions in the small print. Discuss your policy with your broker so that you are aware of all the relevant details.
Why use emero for Life Insurance?
Finding the best Life Insurance means finding the most suitable for your needs.
The easiest way to ensure this is by scanning and comparing the market. Most providers’ products are similar but there are nuances.
Aspects such as the additional benefits play a role. An additional benefit such as ‘Best Doctors’ from Aviva may be important to you.
Whereas another person may prefer the ‘instant temporary life cover’ from Royal London.
This is why using a broker such as emero is critical. We deal with these situations on a daily basis. We also have no allegiance to any one insurer.
We can provide unbiased advice and scan the market on your behalf. From here we can recommend what we feel is the most suitable choice for your needs.
- IT
- Finance
- Healthcare
- Consultancy
- Fintech
- Event Management
What should I do next?
Speak to us. We can assist – providers’ offerings are similar so it’s about choosing the correct term, sum assured and knowing your options.
At emero, we have the ability to scan the entire market. This allows us to take a non-biased approach when assisting clients.
Our experience of dealing with cases on a daily basis means we can ensure our clients find the best cover that is most suitable to their needs.
Each of us have a different set of circumstances meaning there is no standardised approach to calculating how much Life Insurance is required.
You are welcome to contact us directly with any questions you may have.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 01 5844280
Ian’s calendar: https://calendly.com/ian-emero
