Guardian 1821 life insurance

Guardian 1821 are a UK life insurance company founded in 1821, offering comprehensive financial protection to aid individuals and their families in times of need.

Guardian 1821 has more than 200 years of industry experience and has evolved significantly over time, with currently all their financial products being provided by Scottish Friendly.

Originally focused solely on life insurance in the 19th and 20th century, the company broadened its offerings to include income protection and critical illness coverage.

Through strategic mergers and changes in ownership, Guardian 1821 has strengthened its market presence and is now recognised for its commitment to transparency and simplicity.

They are known to offer policies with flexible policy options and the opportunity to adjust cover if your circumstances were to change.

But is Guardian life insurance actually as simple and flexible as advertised? Find out in this honest 2024 review by Reassured.

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Guardian life insurance key points:

  • Guardian are an award winning provider, with accolades including ‘Best Critical Illness Provider’ at the Life Search Awards as well as 5 other awards in 2024
  • Guardian offer two term life insurance options: ‘life essentials’ for budget friendly cover and ‘life protection’ for more comprehensive cover
  • They offer a variety of excellent benefits, including a claims support service and a health and wellbeing support service
  • Guardian paid out 100% of life claims in 2023[1]
  • A premium waiver is included as standard with all policies
  • Scottish Friendly provide all their financial products
  • Their life insurance policies include terminal illness cover
  • You can combine cover to make a comprehensive policy
  • They offer life insurance combined with critical illness cover

Guardian life insurance reviews

Guardian life insurance is rated up to 5 stars on expert rating site Defaqto.

Looking at product ratings provided by experts can help you understand more about the quality of a product compared to other options available.

Guardian 1821 has limited customer reviews available online, so we’ve provided ratings from the sole source we could locate.

Below is a table including what expert rating sight Defaqto have rated Guardian’s financial services based on research:

Product Defaqto
Level term life insurance
(Life essentials & Life Protection)		 Defaqto 5 stars
Life and critical illness cover
(Life essentials & Life protection)

Defaqto 5 stars

Decreasing term life insurance
(Life essentials & Life protection)		 Defaqto 3 stars

Reassured is rated ‘Excellent’ by customers on Trustpilot with over 80,000 reviews.

Guardian life insurance policy options

Guardian offers life insurance cover provided by Scottish Friendly. Below is a summary of what cover they offer and a brief description:

Level term life insurance

A form of cover that lasts a set time (up to 72 years depending on your age) with monthly fixed premiums. Suitable for those who want to help protect a mortgage or future family living costs as the sum assured remains fixed throughout the policy term.

Decreasing cover

This policy could also last up to 72 years with fixed monthly premiums, but the sum assured will decrease over time, making it a suitable option for those with a repayment mortgage.

Increasing cover

A form of cover that allows your sum assured to increase each year to help protect your pay out amount from inflation (monthly premiums would also increase).

Family income benefit

A type of policy designed to pay out in monthly instalments (instead of a lump sum) to loved ones to help protect family living costs when you pass away (only available if you opt for their life protection plan).

Guardian offer two types of life insurance protection policies:

PoliciesCoverGuaranteed premiumsPay outTypes of coverPay out for suicidePremium waver includedTerminal illness cover included
Life ProtectionSingle and dual Icon green tick Lump sum or monthly pay outLevel cover, increasing cover, decreasing cover (8%), family income benefit Icon green tick Icon green tick
After 4-week deferred period		Will pay out regardless of life expectancy
Life EssentialsSingle and dual Icon green tick Lump sumLevel cover, increasing cover, decreasing cover (8%)Not within the first 12 months of the policy Icon green tick
After a 26-week deferred period		Within 12 months while the policy is in force

Both also include:

  • You can nominate up to 9 beneficiaries when you apply
  • Guaranteed increase option
  • Immediate cover (a temporary cover if you can’t get cover straight away)
  • If you change your lifestyle to become healthier (stopping smoking, reaching a healthy BMI, changing occupation etc) then they may reduce your premiums

Whilst Reassured can’t offer Guardian life insurance, we can compare life insurance quotes from some of the top UK insurers and smaller specialist through our advised team.

Simply get in touch to secure life insurance from 20p-a-day † .

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Guardian joint life insurance

Joint life insurance is a type of policy that covers two people simultaneously and typically pays out if either person passes away in the policy term.

Similar to a single life policy, one monthly payment is made with one contract but a joint policy covers both parties. This is a popular option for those looking to financially protect shared finances (like a mortgage).

Guardian doesn’t offer a traditional joint life insurance policy; however, they do offer a shared type of cover where both partners cover is kept separate, this is called a ‘dual’ policy.

If there’s a claim on one partner’s cover, the other partner’s cover remains in place until the end of the policy term.

This type of policy still only requires one single quote application and one direct debit, just like a standard joint policy, but for a similar price, making it an affordable option for couples.

Considering a joint policy for you and your partner? Why not get in touch today and discuss if it’s the right cover for you.

Guardian critical illness cover

Guardian 1821 offers critical illness cover for both single or dual policies, as well as the option to add children’s critical illness for an additional cost.

Critical illness cover is a type of cover that provides a lump sum if you are diagnosed with a critical (not terminal) illness.

Guardian critical illness key points:

  • Can be made as a ‘dual’ policy (2 people under one cover)
  • Premiums are guaranteed
  • Pay out can be made as a lump sum or monthly income
  • Types of cover: level cover, increasing cover, decreasing cover (8%), family income benefit
  • Customers who are covered as an own occupation definition of total permanent disability, can be covered while working, regardless of age
  • Guardian pay out some form of benefit if you’re diagnosed with any type of cancer
  • Premium waver included, meaning they waive premiums if you’re too ill to work but also 6 months for maternity/paternity leave or if you lose your job
  • You can include children’s critical illness cover for an additional cost through Guardian
  • Guaranteed increase option, meaning you can add to your cover at any time
  • If you change your lifestyle to become healthier (stopping smoking, reaching a healthy BMI, changing occupation etc) then they may reduce your premiums

Reassured can’t offer Guardian critical illness cover, but we can offer critical illness cover with life insurance from just cover from 33p-a-day º .

Guardian income protection

Income protection is a type of cover that typically pays out up to 70% of your monthly income if you’re unable to work due to an illness or injury.

The pay out can be used to help cover costs you’d usually spend your income on or medical bills.

Guardian income protection key points:

  • Covers up to 65% of annual earnings (max of 65% of annual earnings up to £60,000)
  • £1,500 minimum cover guarantee
  • Guaranteed premiums
  • Types of cover available: level cover, increasing cover
  • Pay outs can be made monthly or weekly
  • Guardian pay out if your injury or illness prevents you from doing your job
  • Premium waiver included (28 days deferred period)
  • Choice of pay out date
  • If you change your lifestyle to become healthier (stopping smoking, reaching a healthy BMI, changing occupation etc) then they may reduce your premiums
  • You can take an unpaid work break period and reduce the cover amount for up to
  • 12 months (if you go on leave for sabbatical or unpaid parental leave)
  • Hospital cover included (in the deferred period, if you’re admitted to hospital for over 7 days), Guardian will pay £150 for every night

Reassured offer a whole of market income protection comparison service, available through our advised team, to make sure you secure our best price and find suitable cover.

Is Guardian life insurance good?

Whether Guardian 1821 life insurance is ‘good’ will depend on your own personal circumstances and needs.

This article explores the benefits included, the various policies available, and feedback from experts, which often serve as key indicators of an insurer's quality and whether they meet your needs.

Below is a pros and cons list of the advantages and disadvantages of taking out a policy with Guardian 1821:

PROsCONs
If you smoked while applying for a policy but have since quit, Guardian can lower your premiums for your decision to stop smokingGuardian covers BMI up to 44 which is one the lowest BMI score coverings out of all major insurers
Offer benefits that not many other insurers offer, including, e.g the flexibility to increase or decrease your existing policy if you’ve adapted your lifestyle, access to ‘Anytime’ their free health and wellbeing services, and HALO, a dedicated claims support serviceCover may not be suitable for everyone as their life products are all term based (won’t last whole of life)
Enhanced joint life insurance options where both partners are covered under a single quoteLimited online services, Guardian don’t offer the same online services as many other insurers (e.g. buying online)
100% pay out rate (in 2023) for life claims
Simple and easy to understand products

How much Guardian life insurance do I need?

The amount of life insurance you need is down to your own personal circumstances, it’s important to consider what you’d like to protect when you’re no longer around.

For example, most people secure life insurance to help protect:

  • Mortgage / rent payments
  • Funeral costs
  • Household bills
  • Childcare / education costs
  • Any debts left behind
  • To leave a small inheritance

Life Insurance Calculator

Calculate how much life insurance you may need by filling in the costs you’d like your policy to cover.

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£137,934 is the estimated mortgage debt per household in the UK.

The purchase of a home is likely to be the largest financial commitment any of us will make in our lifetime. Your life insurance should cover your remaining mortgage balance to allow your loved ones to stay in the family home should anything happen to you.

Source: Moneynerd.co.uk
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The average monthly household budget in the UK is £2,548 (that’s £30,576 per year), which is spent on transport, food & drink, utilities (gas, electricity, water etc), clothing, council tax and leisure activities.

With energy prices hitting a record high and the cost of living rising sharply in the UK, you may wish to factor in utility bills and family living expenses into your cover.

Source: Nimblefins.co.uk
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The average personal debt of UK adults has risen to £34,566 (not including mortgage debt), with credit cards, personal loans and overdrafts being the most common forms of debt.

Factoring in any debts into your life insurance cover means that, if they need to be paid back from your estate after your passing, your loved ones won’t miss out financially.

Source: Money.co.uk
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According to SunLife, the average cost of a funeral in the UK is £3,953 (with the overall cost of dying at £9,200).

Funeral costs have increased by 116% since 2004 and are a significant cost which should be factored into the amount of life insurance you secure.

Source: SunLife.co.uk
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When factoring in cover for your children, you may wish to calculate the amount based on how long it is until they reach financial independence.

This could include childcare (£7,000 per year for part-time care), school expenses (£1,519 per school year for uniforms, lunches, stationary etc), as well as an additional sum for further education (this could be a contribution of up to £5,000 per year).

Sources: Daynurseries.co.uk, Primarytimes.co.uk & Savethestudent.org
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2 in 5 adults say they are relying on an inheritance to fund their retirement.

Factoring in an inheritance to your sum assured could allow loved ones to live a more financially comfortable life. Alternatively, you could leave a cash gift to a charity of your choosing.

Source: Moneyage.co.uk
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If you’re lucky enough to have your own savings or are part of the 30% of UK residents who already have a life insurance policy in place, this can provide financial protection for loved ones.

By entering your current cover, savings or death in service amount you can reduce the sum assured you require.

Source: Scottishbusinessnews.net
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Guardian life insurance key benefits

Guardian 1821 offer many benefits to customers to that are unique from other insurers. Listed are some of the key benefits advertised to customers:

Halo claims support

Halo is a free expert claims management service available for Guardian customers.

This can offer advice on many topics related to a claim, including:

  • Return to work support
  • Bereavement counselling
  • Help to draw up a power of attorney or estate planning after a terminal illness diagnosis

Guardian Anytime

A comprehensive package that includes: unlimited 24/7 remote GP services, nurse support and a second medical opinion.

Free waiver of premium

A free waiver of premium is included with Guardian life insurance. This can cover your monthly premiums if you can’t work due to becoming critically ill or injured.

Pay out planner

Allows the customer to nominate up to 9 beneficiaries when securing a life insurance policy, this is used by 68% of Guardian customers[2].

Optional children’s critical illness cover

For an additional cost you can add your child onto your Guardian policy and can select between £10,000 to £100,000 depending on your cover amount.

Guardian life insurance UK contact number

To contact Guardian 1821 for general queries as a new or existing customer, you can:

  • Call: 0808 123 1821
  • Email: heretohelp@guardian1821.co.uk
  • Alternatively, you can access documents and included benefits through the ‘My Guardian’ portal via the website.

How do I cancel Guardian 1821 life insurance?

If you cancel within the first 30 days of your life insurance policy starting with Guardian, then you’ll receive a refund for any money already paid.

However, if you cancel after the 30-day period you’ll not be refunded any premiums paid.

To cancel a life policy with Guardian 1821, you’ll need to contact them directly. You can do this by emailing a member of their team at: heretohelp@guardian1821.co.uk

Once you have notified the company that you have decided to cancel, you’ll need to cancel your direct debit set up with your bank.

It’s important to think about your decision first and explore what other options you may have before cancelling as this means you may not be covered if the worst were to happen.

Compare life insurance through Reassured

Whilst Reassured can’t compare life insurance quotes from Guardian 1821, we can help you compare quotes from a variety of leading UK insurers.

Deciding what policy suits you can depend on a variety of factors, including cost, which makes it essential to explore the market before settling.

If you’re looking to financially protect your income, Reassured also offer a whole of market (through our advised team) comparison service for income protection polices which includes Guardian 1821, so why not compare today.

Get in touch to begin your life insurance journey and become a step closer to safeguarding yours and your loved one’s financial futures.

Secure Life Insurance Today »

Sources:

[1] https://guardian1821.co.uk/about-us/news/guardian-paid-over-15-million-of-claims-in-2023/

[2] https://guardian821.co.uk/about-us/news/68-of-guardian-life-insurance-policies-have-used-beneficiary-nomination/

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