Compare RBS Life Insurance Quotes Against The Market

Founded in 1727, Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) is one of the UK’s most established financial institutions and is part of the NatWest Group. Like its sister bank NatWest, RBS provides life insurance that is provided, underwritten, and administered by Aviva Life & Pensions UK Limited.

RBS serves as a digital-first portal for Aviva’s protection products. The partnership combines the local familiarity of the RBS brand with the massive financial scale and high claims-payout reliability of Aviva.

At a Glance: RBS

• Underwriter: Provided and underwritten by Aviva.

• Monthly Premium: Starts from approximately £5 to £6 per month

• Claims Record: Backed by Aviva, which reported an industry-leading 98.8% to 99.4% payout rate for life claims in recent years

• Unique Selling Point: Integrated access to Aviva DigiCare+ and a Mortgage Guarantee on decreasing term plans

• Best For: Existing RBS banking and mortgage customers seeking a no-fuss digital application from a trusted underwriter

Types of Protection Offered

RBS focuses on core term insurance products designed to protect families and clear debts like mortgages.

1. Life Insurance (Level & Decreasing Term)

A policy that pays out a tax-free lump sum if you die or are diagnosed with a terminal illness during the term.

• Level Term: The payout amount stays the same. Best for providing a financial legacy or replacing lost income

• Decreasing Term: The payout reduces over time, usually matching a repayment mortgage. This is typically the most affordable option

• Mortgage Guarantee: A unique feature where, if a claim is made and the payout doesn't fully cover your outstanding mortgage balance (due to interest rate changes), RBS/Aviva will cover the difference

2. Critical Illness Cover

Must be purchased alongside a life insurance policy. It pays out a lump sum if you are diagnosed with a specified serious illness.

• Conditions Covered: Historically offered as Critical 3 (Cancer, Heart Attack, Stroke), but many 2026 plans now cover up to 52 conditions

• Children's Cover: Often included as standard, providing a smaller payout if your child falls seriously ill

3. Guaranteed Sixty-Plus Life Insurance

A whole-of-life plan designed specifically for UK residents aged 60 to 80.

• No Medical Questions: Acceptance is guaranteed regardless of your health or lifestyle

• Moratorium: Natural death is covered in full after a two-year period; accidental death is covered from day one

Key Benefits and Support Services

• Aviva DigiCare+: New policyholders gain access to a health app providing 24/7 virtual GP consultations, annual health checks, and nutritional advice

• Terminal Illness Cover: Included as standard at no extra cost, paying out the full sum if you have a life expectancy of less than 12 months

• Free Gift: New online applications often include a £50 to £100 e-gift card (e.g., Amazon or M&S) once you've made six monthly payments

• Separation Benefit: If you have a joint policy and separate, you can split it into two single policies without new medical questions (conditions apply)

Pros and Cons

The Pros

• Highly Reliable Underwriter: Aviva’s near-99% payout rate is among the best in the UK

• Digital Convenience: Integrated application process through the RBS mobile app and online banking

• Guaranteed Premiums: Your monthly payments stay the same for the length of the policy unless you choose an increasing option

• High Maximum Entry Age: At 86 for some plans (and 80 for Sixty-Plus), RBS is more inclusive than many high-street rivals

The Cons

• Mixed Expert Ratings: While their direct life cover gets 5 stars from Defaqto, their level and decreasing term plans are sometimes rated lower (3 stars) compared to more comprehensive specialists

• Limited GP Access: The virtual GP service within DigiCare+ is often capped at a specific number of appointments per year

• Phone Wait Times: Customer reviews frequently highlight frustration with reaching human staff or long wait times for banking-related issues

How Their Products Compare to the Rest of the Market

RBS positions itself as a reliable, core provider leveraging Aviva's product depth.

• Rates: Starting around £5-£6, RBS is highly competitive with major rivals like Legal & General and HSBC

• Product Quality: They perform well in direct life insurance but may offer fewer 5-star rated features in complex critical illness categories compared to specialists like Royal London or Vitality

• Claims Performance: With Aviva’s 98.8% record, RBS is effectively in the top tier for payout reliability

How Our Life Insurance Advisers Can Help

RBS offers a convenient and trusted route to insurance, but their products are limited to what Aviva provides. Our team of independent life insurance advisers can help you see the whole market. We provide:

• Whole-of-Market Comparison: We stack RBS/Aviva quotes against providers like Zurich, Scottish Widows, and LV= to ensure you get the most cover for your money

• Medical Underwriting Advice: If you have a complex health history, we can identify which insurer (Aviva or a specialist) is most likely to offer you standard rates without a premium hike

• Trust & Inheritance Guidance: We help you place your policy in a Trust, ensuring your family receives the payout quickly and without being reduced by 40% Inheritance Tax

Want to explore your options with an existing RBS life insurance policy? Get in touch and one of our protection insurance advisers will run through them with you.