Compare Friends Life Life Insurance Quotes Against The Market

Originally established in 2008 as Resolution Limited, Friends Life grew rapidly by acquiring closed-block life insurance businesses, including AXA, Bupa Health Assurance, and Friends Provident. In 2015, Friends Life was acquired by Aviva, merging two of the biggest names in the UK protection market.

As of 2026, the Friends Life brand no longer operates for new business. However, Aviva continues to manage and honour millions of existing ex-Friends Life policies, often integrating them into the MyAviva digital platform.

At a Glance: Friends Life (Aviva)

Closed to new business; policies administered by Aviva.

• Claims Record: Strong reliability; Aviva reported a life insurance payout rate of 98.8% in 2024

• Market Standing: Historically the UK's fifth-largest life and pensions company before its acquisition

• Best For: Existing policyholders who value the financial stability of a FTSE 100 giant

Products Held by Existing Customers

While new applications must be made through Aviva, legacy Friends Life customers typically hold one of the following standard or menu-based protection plans:

1. Level Term Life Insurance

A straightforward policy where the payout and premiums remain fixed throughout the term.

• Fixed Support: If you selected a £100,000 lump sum at the start, that exact amount is paid out if you die during the term

• Terminal Illness: Most legacy plans include terminal illness cover, which pays out the full lump sum if you are diagnosed with less than 12 months to live

2. Decreasing Term (Mortgage Protection)

Designed specifically to cover repayment mortgages.

• Debt Matching: The payout amount reduces over the term of the policy, usually in line with your outstanding mortgage balance

• Fixed Premiums: Despite the reducing payout, the monthly cost was typically fixed at the start of the policy

3. Protect+ (Income Protection)

Friends Life was well-regarded for its Protect+ plan, which offered flexible income protection.

• Guaranteed Benefits: Historically updated to include guaranteed benefits of up to £1,500 per month (£18,000 a year) without requiring income checks at the point of a claim

• Rehabilitation Support: Included therapy benefits to help policyholders return to work after an illness or injury

Pros and Cons (For Existing Policyholders)

The Pros

• Aviva Stability: Your policy is backed by the UK's largest life insurer, offering massive financial strength

• Digital Integration: Most ex-Friends Life customers can now view and manage their policy details through the MyAviva app

• Smooth Claims: Aviva is praised for its "knowledgeable and helpful" staff and a streamlined claims process for legacy customers

The Cons

• Legacy Fee Structures: Some older policies (particularly "With-Profits" or unit-linked plans) may have higher management charges than modern equivalents.

• Exit Penalties: Very old policies may still carry exit penalties or Market Value Reductions (MVRs) if you try to transfer or cancel them early

• Complexity: Navigating paperwork that refers to "AXA," "Sun Life," or "Friends Provident" under the Aviva umbrella can be confusing for customers

Customer Consensus

The current customer sentiment regarding the management of Friends Life policies is generally positive, largely due to Aviva's operational efficiency.

• The Positives: Customers frequently report that Aviva’s call centre agents are supportive and patient when explaining complex legacy products. The transition to digital management via MyAviva has been described as a smooth experience.

• The Negatives: A small number of reviewers on platforms like Trustpilot express frustration over historical bad service or the high fees associated with very old legacy pension pots

How Their Products Compare to the Rest of the Market

Before it was acquired, Friends Life was considered a Gold standard innovator, particularly for its Income Protection and Personal Menu options.

• Payout Rates: Aviva’s current 98.8% life claim payout rate is among the best in the industry, competing directly with specialists like Royal London (98.7%) and Vitality (98.9%)

• Rates: While you can't buy Friends Life rates today, Aviva’s modern term insurance remains highly competitive, with prices starting from as little as £5 per month

• Product Depth: The legacy "Protect+" plan was historically more comprehensive than many modern budget bank-led policies, offering better-guaranteed benefits for average earners

How Our Life Insurance Advisers Can Help

If you still hold an original Friends Life policy, it may have been several years since it was last reviewed. Our team of independent life insurance advisers can help you ensure your legacy plan is still fit for purpose. We provide:

• Policy Benchmarking: We’ll compare your old Friends Life terms against the latest products from Aviva, Legal & General, and others to see if you can get more cover for a lower cost

• Exit Penalty Analysis: If you’re considering switching, we calculate any potential exit fees to ensure you don't lose more in penalties than you gain in savings

• Trust & Inheritance Guidance: We can help you place your legacy policy into a Trust, ensuring the payout bypasses probate and stays outside of the 40% Inheritance Tax bracket

Get started now to speak to one of our independent financial advisers with specialist experience in life insurance.