Choosing life insurance isn’t only about price. The whole point is that—if the worst happens—the claim gets paid, quickly and fairly. Below, we compare the latest published claims results from five of the UK’s biggest players, pulling out what really matters to families at claim time.
Quick comparison: life-insurance claims performance (latest full year)
| Insurer | % of life (or life+TI) claims paid | Life claims paid (£) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zurich | 99.8% | £220.2m | 3,482 life claims paid in 2024. |
| Aviva | 98.8% (life incl. terminal illness) | £862.1m | 41,424 life/terminal illness claims in 2024. |
| Legal & General | 97% (life & over-50s) | £583m | 14,067 life claims in 2024. |
| LV= | 97% | £80m+ | c.5,200 families received life benefits in 2024. |
| Royal London | 93.8% (term life) / 99.9% (whole-of-life) | £212m (term life) / £286m (WOL) | Overall protection paid rate 98.7%. |
What “life+TI” means: some providers include terminal illness within life cover. We’ve used each company’s official classification.
What the numbers mean (and how to read them)
- Payout rate (%): The share of claims accepted. Higher is better, but definitions and policy types differ.
- Total paid (£): Shows market size and experience in handling large claim volumes.
- Transparency: The best insurers publish detailed breakdowns (Royal London and Aviva excel here).
Provider-by-provider overview
Zurich — best-in-class payout rate
99.8% of life claims paid (£220.2m). Exceptionally high acceptance and clear reporting.
Aviva — massive scale and consistency
98.8% of life/terminal illness claims paid (£862.1m). One of the UK’s largest life books.
Legal & General — reliable and well-established
97% of life and over-50s claims paid (£583m). Long history and transparent statistics.
Royal London — mutual transparency
93.8% on term life, 99.9% on whole-of-life. Excellent clarity on how products differ.
LV= — smaller but strong
97% payout rate (£80m+ paid). Transparent and customer-friendly communication.
How The Insurance Surgery uses this data for you
At The Insurance Surgery, we don’t expect you to spend hours comparing claims figures, reading policy definitions or checking the fine print. Our specialist advisers analyse insurer performance data like this, alongside other crucial metrics such as:
- Underwriting philosophy – how flexible each insurer is for your health or lifestyle.
- Pricing and long-term value – to make sure your premiums stay competitive.
- Additional benefits – e.g., bereavement support, virtual GP access, or counselling services.
- Claim speed and fairness – not just the percentage paid, but how quickly and smoothly claims are settled.
By combining these data-driven insights with personal factors like your medical history, occupation, and family needs, The Insurance Surgery ensures you get the most suitable policy—without the stress of comparing everything yourself.
We take the hassle away and do it all for you, presenting the best options clearly so you can make an informed, confident decision.
Our verdicts at a glance
- Highest payout rate: Zurich (99.8%)
- Largest total payouts: Aviva (£862.1m)
- Most transparent reporting: Royal London
- Consistently strong performers: LV= and Legal & General
Bottom line
Choosing life insurance isn’t just about finding the cheapest premium—it’s about ensuring your loved ones are financially protected when it matters most. By using The Insurance Surgery, you’ll have experts who know the data inside out and can recommend the insurer most likely to pay out for your circumstances.
Ready to compare policies?
Speak to The Insurance Surgery today and let us find the right life insurance policy for you—quickly, confidently, and hassle-free.