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🦸 Single Parent Life Insurance

Life Insurance for Single Parents from £6/month

As a single parent, you are your children's only financial safety net. 1.8 million single-parent families in the UK rely on one income alone. Make sure your children are protected if the worst happens.

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Single parent with children protected by life insurance
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Why Single Parents Need Life Insurance More Than Anyone

When you are the only parent providing for your children, there is no second income to fall back on. If something happened to you, your children would face not only the emotional loss but also the financial consequences, from housing and daily expenses to childcare and education costs.

Life insurance for single parents is designed to replace your income and cover the costs your children depend on. The right policy ensures your chosen guardian has the financial resources to raise your children the way you would want.

As a single parent, your life insurance needs to account for more than just debt. Consider:

  • Childcare costs, averaging £14,000 per year in the UK, your guardian will likely need to pay for wraparound care, after-school clubs, or full-time childcare.
  • Everyday living expenses, food, clothing, school uniforms, activities, and transport add up to tens of thousands each year.
  • Housing costs, whether you rent or have a mortgage, your children need a stable home.
  • Future education, university costs, driving lessons, and helping your children get started in adult life.
Key fact: The cost of raising a child from birth to age 18 in the UK is approximately £160,000 according to the Child Poverty Action Group. For single parents, life insurance is the only way to guarantee this provision.

For a full breakdown of how to calculate the right level of cover, see our guide to how much life insurance you need.

Policy Comparison

Level Term vs Family Income Benefit vs Whole of Life for Single Parents

Each type of policy serves a different purpose. For most single parents, family income benefit offers the best combination of affordability and ongoing financial support.

FeatureLevel TermFIBWhole of Life
How it pays outLump sumMonthly incomeLump sum
Cost£8–£12/mo typical£6–£10/mo typical£40–£80+/mo typical
Best forClearing debts or leaving aReplacing income for yourGuaranteed inheritance or
Easy for guardian to manageLump sum requires carefulMonthly payments, like aLump sum requires careful
Cover durationFixed term (e.g. 20 years)Fixed term (e.g. untilLifelong, guaranteed payout
Best suited single parentsGood option if you prefer aBest for most single parentsOnly if you need lifelong

Costs shown are indicative for a 30-year-old non-smoker with £200,000 cover (or £2,000/month FIB) over 20 years. Your quote may differ.

Important: Writing your policy in trust is essential for single parents. Without a trust, the payout forms part of your estate and could be delayed by probate for months, leaving your children's guardian without financial support when they need it most. Read more about writing life insurance in trust.
Your Situation

Find the Right Cover for Your Circumstances

Every single parent's situation is different. Here's how to approach life insurance based on yours.

🏡

Single Parents with a Mortgage

Your children need the family home to be secure. Consider a decreasing term policy to cover the mortgage plus a separate family income benefit policy to replace your income for everyday costs and childcare.

Decreasing term + family income benefit
🏢

Single Parents Renting

Without a mortgage to clear, your priority is income replacement. Family income benefit ensures your guardian can continue paying rent, bills, and raising your children without financial strain.

Family income benefit recommended
👶

Single Parents with Young Children

Young children mean decades of financial dependency ahead. You need a longer policy term and higher cover to account for childcare costs, which average £14,000 per year in the UK until school age.

Long-term FIB with higher cover amount
💰

Single Parents with No Savings

With no savings to fall back on, life insurance is your children's only financial safety net. Even a small family income benefit policy can make an enormous difference to your children's guardian.

Essential, even basic cover helps
📝

Single Parents with Child Maintenance

If you receive child maintenance from the other parent, remember those payments would stop if they died. Factor this into your own cover calculations and consider whether the other parent also has cover in place.

Factor in maintenance income risk
💼

Self-Employed Single Parents

No employer death-in-service benefit means there is absolutely no financial backstop for your children. Life insurance is non-negotiable, and you should also consider income protection for illness.

Critical, no employer safety net

Not sure how much cover you need? An adviser can help.

Get matched with an FCA-regulated adviser who will calculate exactly how much cover your children need and find the most affordable policy for your situation.

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Costs Explained

How Much Does Life Insurance Cost for Single Parents?

Life insurance for single parents is more affordable than most people think. Here's what a healthy 30-year-old non-smoker would typically pay for a 20-year policy.

£6–£10/mo
Family Income Benefit
Pays £2,000/month to your children's guardian until the policy ends. Steady income that's easy to manage, like a monthly salary.
£8–£12/mo
Level Term Life Insurance
£200,000 lump sum if you die during the term. Useful for clearing debts and providing a financial foundation for your children.
Worth knowing: Many single parents combine a smaller lump sum policy with family income benefit. This clears immediate debts whilst also providing ongoing monthly income for your children's guardian. See our full guide to life insurance costs.

Premiums vary based on age, health, and smoking status. Even if you have a pre-existing health condition, cover is almost always available, comparing the whole market ensures you find the best rate for your circumstances.

Simple Process

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Real Reviews

What Our Customers Say

Sarah W.
Sarah W.
Manchester • Single Parent Life Insurance
★★★★★
“One less thing to worry about”

As a single mum with two young boys, I was terrified about what would happen if something happened to me. My adviser set up family income benefit and wrote it in trust for my sister. I'm paying £9 a month and my mind is at ease.

James M.
James M.
Bristol • Single Parent Life Insurance
★★★★★
“Didn't realise how affordable it was”

I'd been putting it off because I assumed I couldn't afford it on one salary. Turns out family income benefit is cheaper than my Netflix subscription. My daughter's future is now protected, should have done it years ago.

Karen P.
Karen P.
Leeds • Single Parent Life Insurance
★★★★★
“The adviser understood my situation”

Being self-employed and a single mum, I needed someone who understood my situation. The adviser helped me get level term for the mortgage and family income benefit for living costs. Everything was set up in trust for my parents. Really professional service.

Marcus D.
Marcus D.
Edinburgh • Single Parent Life Insurance
★★★★★
“My son's future is now secure”

As a single dad with no family nearby, I needed to make sure my son would be financially looked after. The adviser set up £250,000 of level term in trust for my brother. It costs £10 a month and I sleep better knowing it is in place.

Nicola F.
Nicola F.
Cardiff • Single Parent Life Insurance
★★★★★
“Affordable even on a tight budget”

I receive universal credit and was not sure I could afford life insurance. The adviser found me family income benefit for just £6 a month, which pays £1,500 a month to my mum if anything happens to me. That was less than I expected by far.

Craig T.
Craig T.
Norwich • Single Parent Life Insurance
★★★★★
“Trust setup was the real value”

The adviser explained that without a trust, the payout could get stuck in probate for months. He set up the trust naming my parents as trustees for my daughter, all at no extra cost. The whole process took 20 minutes and I feel properly prepared now.

Learn More

Related Guides

Explore our guides to make an informed decision about your children's financial protection.

How Much Cover Do I Need?

Calculate the right amount for your family

Life Insurance in Trust

Why writing in trust matters for single parents

Life Insurance Costs UK

Full pricing breakdown

Life Insurance for the Self-Employed

Cover without employer benefits

Life Insurance & Critical Illness

Adding illness cover to your policy

Pre-Existing Conditions

Your options explained
Got Questions?

Life Insurance for Single Parents: Frequently Asked Questions

Single parents are the sole financial provider for their children. If you were to die without life insurance, your children could face financial hardship, potential changes in living arrangements, and the loss of the lifestyle you provide. Life insurance ensures there is money to cover childcare, housing, education, and everyday expenses until your children are independent.
Most advisers recommend covering at least 10 times your annual income, plus any outstanding debts such as a mortgage. You should also factor in childcare costs (averaging £14,000 per year), the cost of raising a child to 18 (approximately £160,000), and any additional funds for education. An adviser can help you calculate the right amount. See our guide to calculating life insurance needs.
Family income benefit is often the best option for single parents because it pays a regular monthly income rather than a lump sum. This provides steady financial support for your children's guardian, making it easier to budget for childcare, school costs, and household bills. Level term life insurance is also suitable if you prefer a one-off lump sum payout.
A healthy 30-year-old non-smoking single parent can get family income benefit providing £2,000 per month for around £6–£10 per month. Level term cover of £200,000 typically costs £8–£12 per month over a 20-year term. Costs vary based on age, health, and smoking status. See our guide to life insurance costs.
Family income benefit pays a regular monthly income to your beneficiaries instead of a one-off lump sum. For single parents, this is particularly useful because it provides a steady, predictable income for your children's guardian, much like a salary. It is also typically cheaper than level term cover for an equivalent total payout amount.
Yes, writing your policy in trust is essential for single parents. Without a trust, the payout forms part of your estate and goes through probate, which can take months. A trust ensures the money goes directly to your chosen trustees (who manage it for your children) quickly and without being subject to inheritance tax. It is free to set up with most insurers. Read our guide to writing life insurance in trust.
If you die without life insurance, your children's guardian would need to fund their upbringing from their own resources. This could mean significant lifestyle changes, potential relocation, and financial strain. In the worst case, if no suitable guardian has been named or the guardian cannot afford to take them in, your children could end up in local authority care.
Yes, naming a legal guardian in your will is one of the most important things a single parent can do. Without a named guardian, the courts will decide who raises your children, which may not align with your wishes. Life insurance provides the financial support your chosen guardian needs to care for your children properly.
Yes, receiving benefits does not disqualify you from getting life insurance. Premiums are based on your age, health, and the amount of cover you need, not your income source. Family income benefit can be particularly affordable, with policies starting from around £6 per month.
If you receive child maintenance, you should consider what would happen if that income stopped. If the other parent were to die, their maintenance payments would cease. You cannot insure the other parent's life without their consent, but you can factor potential loss of maintenance into your own cover calculations to ensure your children remain protected.
Yes, most pre-existing conditions do not prevent you from getting life insurance, though premiums may be higher. Conditions like diabetes, depression, and asthma are routinely covered. An independent broker can search the whole market to find insurers who specialise in your condition. Read our guide to life insurance with pre-existing conditions.
Level term life insurance pays a one-off lump sum if you die during the policy term. Family income benefit pays a regular monthly income from the date of your death until the policy term ends. For example, a 20-year FIB policy paying £2,000 per month would provide up to £480,000 if you died in year one, but only £24,000 if you died in year 19.
Critical illness cover is highly recommended for single parents. If you were diagnosed with a serious illness and could not work, your children would still need financial support. Critical illness cover pays a lump sum on diagnosis, giving you financial breathing room. It typically doubles the premium but provides much broader protection.
Your policy should last at least until your youngest child is financially independent, typically age 18, or 21 if they go to university. If you have a mortgage, consider matching the longer of your mortgage term or your youngest child reaching independence. Some single parents keep cover until retirement age for added security.
Whole of life insurance guarantees a payout whenever you die, but it is significantly more expensive than term cover. For most single parents, term life insurance or family income benefit provides far better value because cover is needed most while children are young and dependent. Whole of life may be worth considering if you have a lifelong dependent or want to leave an inheritance. Read our guide to whole of life insurance.

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