Paramedics life insurance

Assaults & violence

According to research from the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives, a staggering 17,114 incidents of violence and abuse were reported during the 2023/24 financial year. That equates to 47 attacks every day and represents a 123% increase in incidents since records began eight years ago^[2].

High speed driving & road traffic accidents

When paramedics are called there is usually a strong need to attend the scene as quickly as possible to treat the injured and sometimes time is critically important. Therefore, to reach the scene paramedic crews will often drive at high speed, sometimes through built up areas, which increases the risk of a road traffic accident.

Mental health challenges / High stress working environment

The role of a paramedic means working in a high-pressure environment day after day, frequently experiencing traumatic events. Whilst a rewarding occupation for many, this stress can lead to mental health problems among ambulance workers.

The British Psychological Society suggest that this frequent exposure to trauma means paramedics are at high risk of developing long-term mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, burnout, trauma, PTSD, and suicide^[3]. What’s more they stated that the ‘mental health and wellbeing of paramedics are significant issues’.

A Mental Health in the Emergency Services report by leading mental health charity MIND also reported that 75.8% of ambulance service staff and volunteers had personal experience of mental health problems^[4].

Exposure to infectious diseases

A paramedic does not know the nature of the emergency call before it comes in and there is a chance, all be it small, that ambulance staff could be exposed to infectious diseases which puts them at risk of contracting.

Level term life insurance

Level term cover provides a fixed (or level) cash pay out for your loved ones if you were to pass away during the period term. This is a popular policy choice for those wanting to protect an interest-only mortgage and/or cover future family living cost.

As with all term-based cover once the term has elapsed the policy expires and no pay out will be issued.

Decreasing term life insurance

Decreasing term cover also provides a cash pay out if you were to pass away during the policy term, however unlike level term cover the pay out sum reduces over the lifetime of the policy. As a result, it’s well suited to covering a repayment mortgage; the cover amount can be set to mirror the remaining mortgage debt.

Generally speaking, decreasing cover is cheaper that level term cover as the risk to the insurer reduces as time goes on.

Whole of life insurance

Whole of life insurance is a less common policy option which unlike the term-based cover detailed above provides a pay out when and not if you pass away. Because it provides lifetime cover the cost of whole of life insurance is significantly higher compared to term cover and therefore will not be suitable for everyone.

Over 50 life insurance

If you're a paramedic or ambulance work over the age of 50 you could consider over 50 life insurance (or over 50s plan). If you‘re a UK resident aged 50 - 85 you’ll be guaranteed acceptance and like whole of life cover a pay out is guaranteed (after an initial 12-24 month waiting period and assuming you keep up with your premium payments).

The maximum sum assured for over 50s plans is just £20,000 (depending on your age) and the proceeds are commonly used to help cover your funeral costs, ensuring this significant expense is not passed onto family.