Can you secure life insurance as a truck driver?

Yes, you could secure life insurance as a truck driver.

Your life insurance application and premiums (monthly payments) can be affected by your personal and occupational information. However, being a truck/lorry driver is unlikely to impact your ability to secure cover.

Approximately 268,000 people were employed as HGV (heavy goods vehicle) drivers in 2021[1].

While lorry drivers require additional licences and extra qualifications for dangerous jobs, there could be the potential for some occupational hazards (depending on the type of driving you do).

With your vehicle, cargo and other drivers presenting potential risks, it’s important to look at securing life insurance if the worst were to happen to you.

This way, your loved ones will have some financial stability if you were no longer around.

Secure life insurance through Reassured. Simply contact us today or check how much life insurance you require with our life insurance calculator.

Keep reading as we explore:

Truck Drivers - Compare Life Insurance »

How much is truck driving life insurance?

No two truck drivers will pay the same life insurance premiums, and there's no specific lorry driver life insurance product.

How much you pay depends on your personal circumstances, and your occupation.

Life insurance providers will use this information and combined policy details, such as the policy term and level of cover required, to find personalised quotes.

The below table provides information and reasons for some of these variables:

Personal informationHow it impacts premiums
Your ageThe younger you are, typically, the cheaper your premiums will be
Your BMI/weightIf your weight or BMI is above or below average, you may face increased premiums
Your current healthAny pre-existing health conditions (conditions that are present at the time of the application) can impact premiums
Your smoking statusSmokers and those who use nicotine substitutes pay more than non-smokers
Level of coverThis is the amount of cover you require (sum assured). A higher sum assured = higher premiums
Length of coverThe longer your policy term, the more expensive it will be

Occupational informationHow it impacts premiums
Type of truck you drivePremiums may be dependent on whether you drive a rigid or articulated truck
Your usual routesFrequently driving dangerous routes may result in higher premiums
The amount of hours you drive a weekIf you drive more than the maximum 9 - 10 hours a day, you could face additional loading
If you drive in other countriesPremiums can be higher if you drive in dangerous countries or ones with hazardous terrains
If you transport hazardous goodsIf your cargo is hazardous or contains volatile substances, this can impact premiums
Health issues related to lorry drivingLorry drivers can be at risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and other health related conditions due to frequent driving[2]. These can impact premium costs


It's essential to provide accurate information regarding your situation during the application process to ensure your cover is valid.

Failure to do so would result in non-disclosure. This is a type of insurance fraud, and can result in your policy being invalid and your loved ones not receiving a pay out.

Reassured can help you through every step of the application process to ensure all information is accurate. Simply contact us today.

Why do you need life insurance as a truck driver?

Many companies insure the vehicles and goods of their HGV drivers. However, personal life insurance is not always provided.

Some companies may provide their drivers with death in service benefit. This is an employee benefit which can pay out a multiple of your salary if you pass away while you’re in employment.

While this is a generous benefit, the amount paid out is unlikely to cover all financial commitments for your loved ones, so it can be beneficial to secure your own personal policy.

In 2023, there were 188 road fatalities involving HGVs and 659 casualties[3].

While licenses which must be resat every few years, and yearly classroom work help impose safety regulations on UK drivers, it’s important to have cover in place if the worst were to happen.

This is especially important, if death in service benefit isn’t offered by your employer.

A life insurance pay out could help to cover the following for your loved ones:

Re payment mortgage house

Mortgage repayments - As of 2023, average mortgage debt in the UK was £132,378[4]. If you were to pass away unexpectedly, could your family afford the repayments still? If you rent, life insurance can also provide funds to help cover the cost of your monthly payments - allowing your loved ones to remain in the family home.
Debts

Daily living expenses - This could be food, travel, childcare, council tax and utility bills amongst other key costs. Would your family be able to keep up with these payments? Or would their quality of life be affected?
Funeral

To cover funeral costs - In the UK, a basic funeral costs £4,141 on average[5]. This expense can be a shock to a grieving family at an already difficult time. If you’re concerned your family couldn’t afford the bill, life insurance could help to cover some or all these costs.
Inhertiance

An inheritance - You may wish to leave a sum to your spouse, children, or other loved ones, but may not currently have the means to. Life insurance could allow you to provide them with a cash gift.

You may also consider life insurance if:

Health

You have a hazardous truck driving occupation - Despite the training involved, driving a class 2 or class 1 vehicle has some risks within and out of your control. It’s important to ensure your family can continue financially if you were no longer around.
Definition of Incapacity

You have health complications - Due to being regularly sat down for long periods, lorry drivers are susceptible to hypertension and weight related medical conditions[2]. If you have a pre-existing condition which impacts your health, it’s worth checking to see if you can secure cover.

If you’re still unsure why cover is necessary, you can always contact Reassured.

Our friendly team can help provide you with all the information so you can make an informed decision.

Alternatively, if you’re unsure how much life insurance you require, check out our life insurance calculator below:

How much life insurance do you need?

Enter your financial commitments to understand the level of life insurance cover you require as a UK truck driver.

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£137,934 is the estimated mortgage debt per household in the UK.

The purchase of a home is likely to be the largest financial commitment any of us will make in our lifetime. Your life insurance should cover your remaining mortgage balance to allow your loved ones to stay in the family home should anything happen to you.

Source: Moneynerd.co.uk
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The average monthly household budget in the UK is £2,548 (that’s £30,576 per year), which is spent on transport, food & drink, utilities (gas, electricity, water etc), clothing, council tax and leisure activities.

With energy prices hitting a record high and the cost of living rising sharply in the UK, you may wish to factor in utility bills and family living expenses into your cover.

Source: Nimblefins.co.uk
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The average personal debt of UK adults has risen to £34,566 (not including mortgage debt), with credit cards, personal loans and overdrafts being the most common forms of debt.

Factoring in any debts into your life insurance cover means that, if they need to be paid back from your estate after your passing, your loved ones won’t miss out financially.

Source: Money.co.uk
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According to SunLife, the average cost of a funeral in the UK is £3,953 (with the overall cost of dying at £9,200).

Funeral costs have increased by 116% since 2004 and are a significant cost which should be factored into the amount of life insurance you secure.

Source: SunLife.co.uk
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When factoring in cover for your children, you may wish to calculate the amount based on how long it is until they reach financial independence.

This could include childcare (£7,000 per year for part-time care), school expenses (£1,519 per school year for uniforms, lunches, stationary etc), as well as an additional sum for further education (this could be a contribution of up to £5,000 per year).

Sources: Daynurseries.co.uk, Primarytimes.co.uk & Savethestudent.org
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2 in 5 adults say they are relying on an inheritance to fund their retirement.

Factoring in an inheritance to your sum assured could allow loved ones to live a more financially comfortable life. Alternatively, you could leave a cash gift to a charity of your choosing.

Source: Moneyage.co.uk
£
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If you’re lucky enough to have your own savings or are part of the 30% of UK residents who already have a life insurance policy in place, this can provide financial protection for loved ones.

By entering your current cover, savings or death in service amount you can reduce the sum assured you require.

Source: Scottishbusinessnews.net
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Your total cover estimate

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Does life insurance cover death as a result of truck driving?

Yes, life insurance could cover you if you pass away as a result of truck driving, this includes accidental death within your occupation as well as other reasons which aren’t excluded from your policy.

While it’s rare, you may have an exclusion written into your policy which would mean if you passed away from a lorry or occupational related accident, it wouldn’t be covered.

This would be dependent on your insurer and additional occupational information, including where you drive and if you move hazardous goods.

The good news is Reassured can compare quotes to help you secure a deal that suits you.

We also have a specialist impaired team who can find some form of cover if you have been declined previously.

Life insurance policy options for truck drivers

There are many life insurance options available to truck drivers. Reassured can help you secure one of four different life insurance policies.

These life insurance policies aren’t specifically designed for truck drivers, and there’s no specific truck driving life insurance that exists.

However, they can all be beneficial, depending on your personal circumstances and what you’d like to cover.

The tables below shows the 4 types of life insurance:

Level term life insurance for truckers

Level term life insurance

  • Provides a fixed lump sum if you pass away during the term
  • Premiums are fixed
  • Medical information is required
  • Policy has a predefined term length, from 2 - 40 years
  • Terminal illness cover is included
  • Critical illness cover can be added (for an additional cost)

Could help truck drivers who have an interest-only mortgage, other large debts and/or family living costs to protect.

This is due to the large, fixed pay out potential.

Decreasing term life insurance for truckers

Decreasing term life insurance

  • Provides a lump sum which decreases over the policy and pays out if you die during the term
  • Premiums are fixed
  • Medical information is required
  • Policy has a predefined term length, from 2 - 40 years
  • Terminal illness cover is included
  • Critical illness cover can be added (for an additional cost)

Could help truck drivers who have a repayment mortgage. You can pick a policy term which mirrors your mortgage and the sum assured can reduce in line with your remaining debt. On average, decreasing term is cheaper than level term.

Whole of life insurance for truckers

Whole of life insurance

  • Provides a fixed lump sum after you pass away
  • Premiums are fixed
  • Medical information is required
  • Policy lasts for life (providing premiums are paid)
  • Terminal illness cover isn’t included
  • Critical illness cover can’t be added
  • Pays out when and not if you pass away

Could help truck drivers who are older, but still in good health and want to guarantee a pay out to their loved ones.

The funds from whole of life insurance can help to guarantee an inheritance and/or help to cover funeral costs for your family.

Over 50 life insurance for truckers

Over 50s life insurance

  • Provides a fixed lump sum after you pass away
  • Premiums are fixed
  • Medical information is not required
  • Policy lasts for the rest of your life (providing premiums are paid)
  • Terminal illness cover only included with some providers through Reassured
  • Critical illness cover can’t be added
  • Guaranteed pay out (after initial 12 - 24 waiting period)

Could help truck drivers who are between 50 - 85 and a UK resident.

Those who are late in their career, retired due to ill-health, or have pre-existing health conditions may find this policy type particularly beneficial.

Truck Drivers - Compare Life Insurance »

Terminal illness cover for truck drivers

Terminal illness cover is an additional form of cover which allows an early claim on a life insurance policy if you’ve been diagnosed with a condition leaving you with less than 12 months to live.

Terminal illness cover comes as standard with all term life insurance policies secured with Reassured.

However, it’s not included with whole of life insurance and some over 50s life insurance. It can't be purchased separately, so it’s best to check your policy documents if you require this coverage.

The funds from this can help to cover end-of-life treatment, carer costs and getting your financial affairs in order.

Once a claim has been made, the policy (including life insurance) is terminated.

Critical illness cover for truck drivers

Critical illness cover is another additional form of cover. It allows an early claim on a policy if you’ve been diagnosed with a life-changing, but not terminal illness.

Critical illness cover can be added to all term-based life insurance policies for an additional cost.

Typically, around 30 specific illnesses/conditions, including heart attacks, strokes and permanent disability are covered.

Critical illness can’t be added to life assurance policies (whole of life insurance and over 50s life insurance), but a standalone critical illness policy can be purchased (through some providers) to run alongside these policy types. However, this would result in two premiums being paid.

Standalone critical illness policies can't be secured through Reassured.

Income protection for truck drivers

Income protection is a type of insurance policy which pays a percentage of your income if you’re too ill or injured to work.

Typically, this can be between 50 - 70% of your usual income (depending on the provider).

Due to the health risks which can be associated with HGV driving, this could be a great policy for self-employed truck drivers, or drivers who would require more than statutory sick pay (if your employer doesn’t offer a generous sick pay scheme).

Income protection can be secured separately, or simultaneously with life insurance to maximise your cover.

Many of the questions you would be asked during the application are similar to the questions asked during a life insurance application.

If you’re unsure whether income protection would be beneficial to you, you can discuss your requirements with our dedicated income protection team or calculate how much income protection cover you might need below.

Reassured's advised team offer a whole of market comparison service to ensure you secure the best deal.

Can you be declined life insurance for being a truck driver?

It’s possible your application could be declined. Each truck driving job can vary in nature, depending on the type of HGV driven and the cargo transported.

As no two driving occupations are the same, depending on your personal circumstances, you may find you can easily secure life insurance, face an increased loading (increased premium amount) or have your application rejected.

While it's may be possible that your application won't be declined due to driving an HGV alone, if multiple high-risk factors were identified (such as a pre-existing medical condition, smoking and/or having a high BMI) this could result in an application being declined.

Applicants who have been declined previously may be able to secure some form of cover through our advised team.

Contact us today for your personalised, fee-free quote.

Compare life insurance quotes for truck drivers through Reassured

Having adequate cover in place if the worst was to happen is important for securing your loved ones’ financial future.

That’s why it’s important to compare quotes to find the best possible deal for truck drivers.

That’s why it’s important to compare multiple quotes, as the price for truck drivers will vary between providers and due to your personal circumstances.

By comparing life insurance through Reassured we can present you with our best quotes, free of charge.

We even offer a free trust-writing service on many of our policies to help minimise/avoid inheritance tax, resulting in your loved ones potentially receiving more of the sum assured they’re entitled too.

Simply contact our award winning, UK based team, for your free quotes.

Truck Drivers - Compare Life Insurance »

Sources:

[1] https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/employmentandemployeetypes/articles/fallinhgvdriverslargestamongmiddleagedworkers/2021-10-19

[2] https://www.internationalusedtrucks.com/common-health-issues-truckers-can-face/

[3] https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/reported-road-casualties-great-britain-annual-report-2023/reported-road-casualties-great-britain-annual-report-2023

[4] https://www.finder.com/uk/life-insurance-statistics

[5] https://www.sunlife.co.uk/funeral-costs/

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