Life insurance basics
Want to get to grips with life insurance? You're in the right place. Find cover that's right for you and your loved ones with our life insurance guides.
What is life insurance?
Life insurance can act like a safety net. It pays out a cash lump sum if you die before your policy ends. So it could help your loved ones cope financially when you can't be there.
A life insurance policy can give you peace of mind that you've protected what matters most.

What life insurance can do for you
It's important to check that your life insurance policy is right for you. Make sure that you and your loved ones will get the support you need in case the unexpected happens.
With life insurance you can:
- Cancel at any time, free of charge
- Choose the amount and duration that are right for you
- Get a cash lump sum if you die before your policy ends
With life insurance you can’t:
- Get any money back unless you make a claim
- Change your policy after it has started
- Keep your cover if you miss your monthly payments
How do I make a life insurance claim?
We want to make sure it’s as easy as possible to make a claim. Just get in touch with Scottish Widows and they'll help you through the rest.
There are 3 simple steps to make a claim with Scottish Widows:
This short video explains a bit more about how to make a claim.
Download our life insurance guides
Find out how life insurance can help you and your loved ones. These documents tell you how these policies work and what they cover.
Life insurance guide
Get a quick summary of all the info on this site, free for you to take away.
Life insurance policy summary
Find out more about what this policy covers and how it works.
Life insurance policy terms and conditions
Check the T&Cs to make sure this is the right cover for you.
Ready to get a quote?
Halifax customers can get a quote through our Mobile Banking app. Get an answer in minutes – quick, easy and no fuss.