Compare Onefamily Life Insurance Quotes Against The Market

Founded in 1854, OneFamily is a prominent mutual organisation owned by its 1.6 to 2.5 million members rather than external shareholders. Because it lacks shareholders demanding profit, the company reinvests its surpluses to enhance member products and services.

Today, OneFamily remains a specialist in the Guaranteed Over 50s Life Cover market. They are distinguished by being one of the few providers to include terminal illness benefit as standard on their over-50s plans and for their ethical screening criteria, which avoids investments in industries like tobacco or weapons manufacturers.

At a Glance: OneFamily

• Company Type: Mutual organisation (member-owned)

• Established: 1854 (over 170 years of experience)

• Age Range: Guaranteed acceptance for UK residents aged 50 to 80 (some legacy plans up to 85)

• Monthly Premium: Starts from £8 to £10 per month.

• Expert Ratings: Holds a 5-star Defaqto rating for its Over 50s Life Cover (when the Increasing Benefit Option is selected)

• Best For: Individuals with pre-existing conditions seeking guaranteed acceptance and ethically-minded customers

Types of Protection Offered

OneFamily focuses on whole-of-life protection that guarantees a payout regardless of when you die, provided premiums are maintained.

1. Over 50s Life Cover Plus

This is the flagship product, designed for simple funeral or legacy planning.

• Guaranteed Acceptance: No medical exams or health questions are required (only smoking status is asked)

• Fixed Premiums: Your monthly cost is set at the start and will not increase, providing long-term budgeting certainty

• Payment Holiday: You stop paying premiums at age 90, but your full cover remains in place for the rest of your life

2. Standard Life Insurance (via Beagle Street)

For those who are younger or in good health, OneFamily partners with Beagle Street to offer traditional underwritten life insurance.

• High Reliability: Beagle Street reported a protection claim payout rate of 99.8% in 2024

• Fast Quotes: Customers can typically get a quote for traditional term insurance in just a few minutes

Key Benefits and Support Services

• Terminal Illness Benefit: Automatically included at no extra cost; pays out 100% of your cover if you are diagnosed with less than 12 months to live after the initial two-year waiting period

• Funeral Funding Feature: Built-in as standard (unless you opt out), this pays your cover directly to a funeral director. Partners like Co-op Funeralcare or Golden Charter will also add a contribution of up to £300 toward your costs

• Triple Accidental Death Benefit: If death is caused by a fatal accident within the first two years, the payout is tripled (up to 300% of the sum assured, capped at £48,000)

• Health Support (RedArc): Provides members and their immediate families with 24/7 access to a Personal Nurse Adviser for emotional and practical support following a serious diagnosis

Pros and Cons

The Pros

• No Medical Exams: Guaranteed acceptance regardless of your medical history

• Standard Terminal Illness Cover: Rare in the over-50s market, providing an early payout when it is often needed most

• Ethical Mutual Status: Profits benefit members, and investments avoid harmful industries like tobacco and weapons

• High Payouts: According to some comparisons, OneFamily offers some of the highest cover amounts for a fixed premium compared to other major over-50s brands

The Cons

• 24-Month Waiting Period: If death occurs from natural causes in the first two years, only 150% of the premiums paid are refunded rather than the full sum

• No Cash-In Value: The policy only pays out upon death or terminal illness; if you cancel early, you will not receive any money back

• Potential to Pay In More: If you live for many years, the total premiums paid may eventually exceed the final cash payout

Customer Consensus

OneFamily holds an Excellent 4.2/5 rating on Trustpilot based on over 4,000 reviews.

• The Positives: Customers frequently highlight the professionalism and patience of staff, noting that advisors are helpful and not pushy. Users often describe the online application as straightforward and easy to navigate

• The Negatives: Recent critical reviews center on delays in releasing funds for Child Trust Funds or ISAs, with some users reporting wait times of over a month for cheques or bank transfers. Some customers also noted long wait times (15–20 minutes) to reach an advisor by phone

How Their Products Compare to the Rest of the Market

OneFamily is a top-tier contender in the guaranteed over-50s sector, competing primarily with SunLife and British Seniors.

• Rates: While SunLife often beats them on absolute rock-bottom pricing, OneFamily is considered highly competitive when factoring in their higher sum assured amounts

• Waiting Periods: Their 24-month moratorium is longer than the 12-month period offered by competitors like Legal & General or Aviva

• Product Unique Features: OneFamily is currently the only provider to offer terminal illness benefit as a standard, non-optional feature on its guaranteed over-50s policy

How Our Life Insurance Advisers Can Help

OneFamily’s guaranteed acceptance makes it a lifeline for many, but its 24-month waiting period means it isn't always the fastest route to full protection. Our team of independent life insurance advisers can help you:

• Whole-of-Market Audit: We’ll check if you could qualify for a standard underwritten policy, which often provides significantly higher cover for a lower monthly cost if your health allows it

• Waiting Period Comparison: We can help you weigh the benefit of OneFamily's higher payout against other providers who offer full cover after only 12 months

• Funeral Optimisation: We’ll ensure you correctly set up the Funeral Funding option to maximise the additional £300 contribution toward your final costs

Wonder whether Onefamily are the right insurance provider for you? Get in touch and one of our independent life insurance advisers will compare their products to the rest of the market to help you find the best deal.