Do I need life insurance to get a mortgage?

Most lenders don't require it, but it's strongly recommended. If you die during the policy term, life insurance can provide funds towards the remaining mortgage, depending on the amount and type of cover.

What's the difference between critical illness cover and income protection?

Critical illness cover pays a one-off tax-free lump sum if you're diagnosed with a specific serious illness. Income protection pays a regular monthly benefit, replacing part of your income if you can't work due to illness or injury, subject to the policy terms and deferred period.

How much does life insurance cost?

Costs depend on your age, health, smoking status, and the amount of cover you need. An adviser will explain the cost of suitable options before you decide.

Can I get insurance if I have a pre-existing medical condition?

Yes, many insurers cover pre-existing conditions — though terms and premiums may vary. We work with specialist providers who understand complex medical histories.

Is buildings insurance a legal requirement?

It's not a legal requirement, but almost all mortgage lenders require buildings insurance as a condition of your loan. It protects the structure of your property against damage from fire, flood, subsidence, and storms.

Do you charge for insurance advice?

Initial protection advice is free. We are normally paid by the insurance providers and will explain this clearly before you proceed. We recommend from a panel of protection insurers and help you compare suitable cover.

Life Insurance, Critical Illness Cover & Income Protection

The Insurance Genie, protection advice from The Mortgage Genie. We help you compare suitable cover, understand how policies differ and review protection you already have. You don't need to be arranging a mortgage with us to ask.

Start my protection review WhatsApp us about protection Call 0191 580 9890

Free initial protection advice

Panel of protection insurers

What happens when you ask for advice

Step 1
Tell us what you want help with
New cover, a review of existing policies, or you're not sure what you need yet.
Step 2
Talk it through with a protection adviser
We discuss your circumstances, household, income and any cover you already have.
Step 3
Understand your options before deciding
We explain suitable options, costs and limitations. You decide whether to go ahead.

Our protection team

Protection enquiries are handled by our in-house team, including Amy, our Financial Protection Specialist. Initial advice is free; we are normally paid by the insurer and will explain this before you proceed.

Already enquired? Health questionnaire

New clients complete this after making their enquiry, or when an adviser or team member asks. You don't need it to start exploring cover.

Complete the health questionnaire

Explore cover

Most people insure their car, phone, and even their pets — but leave their most important asset unprotected. If you couldn't work due to illness, how long could you keep up your mortgage payments?

Critical Illness Cover

Pays a lump sum if you're diagnosed with a condition covered by the policy, as defined by the insurer. You could use it towards your mortgage, treatment or lost income.

More about critical illness cover

Income Protection

Replaces part of your eligible income if illness or injury stops you working, after a deferred period you choose. Benefit levels, payment periods and definitions depend on the policy.

More about income protection

Life Insurance

Pays out if you die during the policy term, providing funds towards your mortgage and your family's needs. Options include level term, decreasing term and whole-of-life cover.

More about life insurance

Family Income Benefit

Rather than a lump sum, this pays your family a regular tax-free monthly income from a valid claim until the policy ends, which can suit ongoing household costs. It is different from lump-sum life cover.

More about family income benefit

Buildings & Contents Insurance

Protect your property and possessions against fire, flood, theft, and accidental damage. A separate property-insurance option; most lenders require buildings cover.

More about buildings & contents insurance

1 in 2

UK people born after 1960 will be diagnosed with some form of cancer during their lifetime (Cancer Research UK)

£0

Statutory Sick Pay for the self-employed — you are not eligible for SSP if you work for yourself (GOV.UK)

28 weeks

The maximum period Statutory Sick Pay is paid for — after that, employer support depends on your contract (GOV.UK)

Sources for the statistics on this page

1 in 2 people in the UK born after 1960 will be diagnosed with some form of cancer in their lifetime — Cancer Research UK (figure checked September 2026)
Self-employed people are not eligible for Statutory Sick Pay — GOV.UK — Statutory Sick Pay eligibility (figure checked September 2026)
Statutory Sick Pay is paid for a maximum of 28 weeks, at £123.25 a week (or 80% of average weekly earnings if lower) — GOV.UK — Statutory Sick Pay (figure checked September 2026)
Income protection typically covers up to around 70% of gross income — the usual maximum set by insurers — Insurer product literature across our protection panel (figure checked September 2026)

Figures are for general information only and may change. They are not a personal recommendation or a quotation. Premiums, cover levels and eligibility depend on your own circumstances and the insurer's terms.