Best known for its iconic breakdown service, the AA (Automobile Association) has expanded into a significant player in the UK insurance market. Unlike specialised insurers that manage their own funds, the AA acts as a broker and service provider, offering life insurance that is typically provided and underwritten by Friends Life Limited (part of the Aviva group).
Today, the AA is a popular choice for customers who want a trusted, household name and a simplified application process, particularly those who already hold breakdown or car insurance with the club.
Wondering whether AA are the right choice for your life insurance? Get in touch below and one of our protection insurance providers will compare their offers against the rest of the market for you.
Get a bespoke life insurance quote today
Use our free service to access bespoke quotes and a market comparison from a protection insurance specialist today.
We will compare AA life insurance deals against the entire market to help you find your ideal insurance coverage without the stress.
To get started, fill in our quick online form below and one of our expert protection advisers with be in touch today!
At a Glance: AA Life Insurance
-
Underwriter: Primarily provided by Friends Life Limited.
-
Monthly Premium: Starts from as low as £5 per month for term policies.
-
Claims Record: Historically strong, with an estimated payout rate for life claims of 96.0%.
-
Unique Selling Point: Integration with the AA’s wider ecosystem, including a £250 funeral voucher for certain plans.
-
Best For: Individuals seeking simple, no-frills term cover and seniors looking for guaranteed-acceptance plans.
Types of Life Insurance Offered
The AA focuses on three core pillars of protection designed to meet basic family and mortgage needs.
1. Level Term Life Insurance
This is a straightforward policy where the payout remains fixed throughout the term.
-
Fixed Payout: If you die during the term (available from 5 to 40 years), your beneficiaries receive a guaranteed lump sum.
-
Flexibility: You can select a term length as long as the policy ends before your 85th birthday.
-
Guaranteed Premiums: Your monthly cost will not increase over time as long as your cover level stays the same.
2. Decreasing Term Life Insurance
Often used for mortgage protection, the payout reduces over time in line with a standard repayment mortgage.
-
Mortgage Support: It is designed so that the cover amount decreases at a set interest rate (typically 10%) to mirror your debt.
-
Lower Cost: Because the potential payout shrinks over time, premiums are usually cheaper than level term cover.
3. Over 50s Life Insurance
A "Whole of Life" plan for UK residents aged 50 to 80.
-
Guaranteed Acceptance: No medical exams are required, and no health questions are asked.
-
Full Payout Delay: Full cover typically starts after the policy has been active for one year (accidental death is covered immediately).
-
Funeral Benefit: Includes a £250 voucher toward a funeral arranged by Golden Charter, which is paid directly to the funeral director.
Key Benefits and Riders
-
Terminal Illness Cover: Included as standard. The policy pays out early if you are diagnosed with a terminal illness and have a life expectancy of less than 12 months.
-
Waiver of Premium: An optional extra that ensures your premiums are paid for you if you cannot work for more than six months due to illness or injury.
-
Critical Illness Cover: Can be added as an optional lump-sum benefit that pays out if you are diagnosed with a specific condition like a stroke, heart attack, or many types of cancer.
Pros and Cons
The Pros
-
Trusted Brand: High levels of familiarity and stability for a long-standing UK institution.
-
Affordability: Some of the most competitive entry-level prices in the market, starting at £5.
-
Simplified Application: Digital-first process that is easy to navigate for non-complex health profiles.
-
Joint Policy Flexibility: Option to set up cover on two lives that pays out on the first death.
The Cons
-
Limited Customsation: Fewer "living benefits" or complex investment features compared to premium insurers like Vitality or Zurich.
-
Standard Underwriting: Not a specialist for complex pre-existing conditions; cases may be declined if they fall outside standard Friends Life criteria.
-
Maximum Cover Limits: Some products may have a total cap (e.g., £500,000 for specific legacy plans).
Customer Consensus
The AA maintains a generally positive reputation, particularly for its user experience and value for money.
-
The Positives: Customers frequently praise the ease of setting up policies online and the significant savings compared to renewal quotes from other big-name providers. The AA's app and website are noted for their straightforward navigation.
-
The Negatives: Some long-term members have reported a decline in customer service standards over time, with complaints often centering on long wait times when calling to correct document errors or navigating complex claims.
How Our Life Insurance Advisers Can Help
Deciding on the right protection is a major financial milestone. While the AA offers reliable and affordable options, they represent a specific panel of insurers that may not be the perfect fit for everyone.
Our team of independent life insurance specialists can help you determine if an AA policy is truly your best option. We provide:
-
Impartial Comparisons: We’ll stack the AA’s premiums and terms against the entire UK market to find the best value for your specific age and health.
-
Medical Underwriting Advocacy: If you have health concerns, we can identify which insurers are most sympathetic to your condition to prevent a declined application.
-
Full Financial Review: We help you calculate exactly how much cover you need for your mortgage, dependents, and final expenses.
Wondering whether the AA are the right life insurance provider for you? Get in touch and one of our protection insurance providers will compare their deals against the rest of the market to help you find your ideal cover.
FAQs
Only in the form of their Over 50s plan, which has no end date and is guaranteed to pay out eventually as long as you keep paying premiums. They do not currently offer investment-linked whole of life products.
