Founded as the Abbey National before being acquired by the Santander Group, Santander UK is one of the country’s largest retail banks. Since 2011, Santander has operated an exclusive partnership with Aviva, the UK’s largest insurer, to provide its life, critical illness, and home insurance products.
Today, Santander serves as a streamlined distribution partner. While the policies are branded "Santander," they are entirely provided, underwritten, and administered by Aviva Life & Pensions UK Limited. This allows customers to combine the local convenience of their bank with the massive financial scale and high claims-payout reliability of a global insurance leader.
Wondering whether Santander/Aviva are the right life insurance provider for you? Get in touch below and one of our advisers will review their products and compare them against the market to ensure you find the right cover.
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 Santander 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: Santander
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Underwriter: Provided and underwritten by Aviva.
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Monthly Premium: Competitive rates starting from as low as £5 per month.
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Claims Record: Backed by Aviva's exceptional 2024 payout rate of 98.8% for life insurance claims.
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Expert Ratings: Their Over 50s Life Insurance is consistently awarded 5 stars by Defaqto.
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Best For: Existing Santander mortgage and current account holders looking for "no-fuss" protection with a trusted underwriter.
Types of Protection Offered
Santander focuses on core protection products designed for families and homeowners.
1. Life Insurance (Level & Decreasing Term)
Their life insurance is designed to provide a cash lump sum if you pass away during the policy term.
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Level Term: The payout and premiums stay the same. Ideal for leaving a set legacy or replacing a fixed income.
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Decreasing Term: The payout reduces over time, usually in line with a repayment mortgage. This is often the most cost-effective way to protect a home.
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Inflation Protection: Level cover can be indexed to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), so your payout grows with the cost of living (though premiums will also rise).
2. Critical Illness Cover
Their critical illness cover be taken as a standalone policy or added to your life insurance for an extra cost.
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Broad Coverage: Covers a range of specified serious conditions, including many types of cancer, heart attack, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and dementia.
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NHS Waiting List Payout: A modern feature where the insurer may pay out if you are placed on an official NHS waiting list for specific major surgeries.
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Children's Cover: Automatically included, paying the lower of £25,000 or 50% of your cover amount if your child is diagnosed with a covered condition.
3. Over 50s Life Insurance
A "whole-of-life" plan designed for UK residents aged 50 to 80.
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Guaranteed Acceptance: No medical questions or health exams are required.
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Fixed Payments: Your monthly premiums are locked in and stay the same for life.
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Moratorium Period: Payout is guaranteed after 12 months; if death occurs earlier from natural causes, premiums are refunded.
Key Benefits and Support Services
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Aviva DigiCare+ App: Most policyholders get access to this app, providing 24/7 virtual GP consultations, annual health checks, and mental health support.
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Terminal Illness Cover: Included for free as standard, paying out the full sum if you are diagnosed with less than 12 months to live.
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Separation Benefit: For joint policies, if the couple separates, the policy can be split into two single policies without new medical questions (conditions apply).
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Immediate Accidental Death Benefit: Provides temporary cover while your application is being processed.
Pros and Cons
The Pros
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Exceptional Claims Payout: Benefitting from Aviva’s near-99% reliability record.
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Incentives: Customers paying premiums from selected Santander current accounts can sometimes earn 2% cashback.
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High Age Limits: You can apply for term life insurance up to the age of 70, with cover lasting until age 90.
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Integrated Digital Banking: Policies can be managed alongside your bank accounts via the Santander app.
The Cons
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Mixed Customer Support: Recent Trustpilot reviews (averaging around 1.5 stars) reflect significant frustration with Santander’s automated phone systems and "terrible" phone support.
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Wait Periods: The 12-month wait for natural death on Over 50s plans is standard but may be a deterrent for some.
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Underwriting Restrictions: While acceptance is fast for healthy applicants, those with complex medical histories may still be "rated" (charged more) by Aviva.
How Our Life Insurance Advisers Can Help
Santander offers a robust and convenient route to protection, but their products are limited to what Aviva provides. Our team of independent life insurance advisers can help you ensure you are making the right choice. We provide:
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Whole-of-Market Comparison: We stack Santander/Aviva’s quotes against the entire UK market to ensure you aren't paying a "convenience premium".
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Medical Underwriting Advocacy: If you have health concerns, we can identify which insurers are most sympathetic to your specific medical profile to secure the best rates.
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Trust and Probate Advice: We help you place your policy into a Trust, ensuring your loved ones receive their payout tax-free and without the delays of probate.
Wondering whether Santander/Aviva are the right life insurance provider for you? Get in touch here and one of our advisers will review their products and compare them against the market to ensure you find the right cover.