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If you dieLife insurance
A lump sum or regular benefit under the policy terms can help your family repay borrowing or continue meeting housing costs.
Capital for those left behind
Explore this cover Mortgage protection advice
Protect the payments. Protect the life around them.
A mortgage is one commitment, but the risks around it are different. We help you consider death, serious illness and loss of income, then match each need to the right type of cover.
Mortgage and household consideredExisting benefits reviewed
One homeSeveral risks to plan for
First, clarify the phrase
“Mortgage protection” is a goal, not one universal policy
People use the phrase for several products. Some provide capital after death or a defined serious illness. Others provide regular, temporary support when earnings stop.
The useful starting point is not a product name. It is the event that would put the home at risk, who would be affected and whether the need is for a lump sum or monthly income.
Read the full mortgage protection guideThe shared goalKeep the home financially manageable
DeathSerious illnessUnable to work
Three risks, three responses
Match the benefit to the event
These products can work alongside each other, but they are not substitutes. Eligibility, underwriting, exclusions and claim definitions differ.
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After a defined diagnosisCritical illness cover
A one-off benefit can help reduce the mortgage or create financial breathing room during treatment and recovery.
Capital while you are living
Explore this cover 03
If illness or injury stops workIncome protection
A regular benefit can replace part of earnings after the policy waiting period when incapacity meets its definition.
Ongoing support for monthly costs
Explore this cover Finding the protection gap
The mortgage balance is a starting point, not always the finish line
Clearing the loan could remove a major outgoing. It would not automatically replace income, pay household bills or cover the extra costs created by illness.
Different needs can have different terms.The mortgage, childcare and income gap may not end at the same time.
Potential financial needsMortgage balance or paymentsHousehold income gapRecovery or care costs
less
Resources already availableSavings and investmentsWorkplace benefitsExisting protection
Potential gapBenefit, term and policy type to compare
Match the cover shape
How the mortgage balance behaves matters
Life or critical illness cover can be level, decreasing or increasing. The mortgage structure informs the choice, but family needs and affordability still belong in the decision.
Repayment mortgage
A balance intended to reduce
Decreasing cover may align. The insured amount reduces broadly over the term and can cost less than equivalent level cover.
It may not exactly track the mortgage balance.
Interest-only mortgage
A balance expected to remain
Level cover may align. The insured amount stays fixed during the term, subject to policy terms and premiums being maintained.
The separate repayment strategy still needs its own plan.
A protection policy does not repay the mortgage automatically unless suitable ownership or assignment arrangements apply. Beneficiary and trust decisions can have legal and tax consequences.
Short-term payment cover
Where MPPI fits and where it stops
Mortgage payment protection insurance can help with an agreed monthly amount after eligible accident, sickness or unemployment events. It is designed for short-term payment support, not every cause of lost income.
Waiting periodHow long before benefits can begin.
Maximum claim periodHow long an eligible claim can pay.
EligibilityEmployment status, hours, residency and other requirements.
ExclusionsIncluding known redundancy or pre-existing circumstances where stated.
Temporary supportCheck when, how much and for how long
Protection should move with life
Four moments to review the plan
A policy bought alongside the mortgage can become outdated. Review the need without cancelling existing cover prematurely.
The mortgage changes
A new loan, remortgage, further advance or different term.
Your household changes
Marriage, separation, children or new financial dependants.
Work benefits change
A new employer, self-employment or revised sick pay and death benefits.
Health or budget changes
New affordability pressures or a change relevant to future underwriting.
Mortgage protection FAQs
Know which risk each policy is solving
These answers are general information. Eligibility, underwriting, definitions, exclusions and benefit limits vary by policy.
Ask a mortgage protection questionMortgage protection is often used as an umbrella term rather than the name of one product. It can include life insurance intended to repay a mortgage after death, critical illness cover for a defined diagnosis, income protection for incapacity, or short-term mortgage payment protection for eligible accident, sickness or unemployment claims. Each responds to a different event.
Information reviewed 1 August 2026 using guidance from MoneyHelper's protection guide, life insurance guidance and the FCA Insurance Conduct of Business rules.
Your property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
Protection policies pay only when a valid claim meets their terms. Exclusions, waiting periods, definitions and benefit limits vary. If premiums stop, cover may end and most protection policies have no cash-in value.
Start with what puts the home at risk
Build protection around the mortgage and the people paying it.
Tell us about the loan, household, income and existing benefits. We will help you compare a suitable route without obligation.