Guides

Insurance, explained.

How each kind of cover works, what it usually leaves out, why claims get refused, and what to look for in your own policy. Every figure is sourced.

Protecting people

Business protection insurance, explainedKey person cover, shareholder and partnership protection, relevant life and group life explained, including how Scottish partnerships differ.
Critical illness cover, explainedHow critical illness cover works in the UK: the three core conditions, ABI minimum standards, partial payments, common exclusions and why claims fail.
Family income benefit, explainedFamily income benefit pays a regular sum for the rest of the policy term if you die. How it works, how it compares with lump-sum cover, and what to check.
Income protection insurance, explainedHow income protection insurance works: deferred periods, own vs suited occupation, benefit limits, tax, and how it fits with Statutory Sick Pay in 2026.
Life insurance, explainedHow UK life insurance works: term, whole of life and joint cover, what changes the cost, trusts, how Scotland differs and what to check in a policy.
Mortgage protection insurance, explainedMortgage protection can mean decreasing life cover or a policy that pays your repayments if you can't work. How each works, the limits, and what to check.

Protecting things

Car insurance, explainedHow UK car insurance works: comprehensive vs third party, the legal minimum, excesses, no-claims discount protection, renewal pricing rules and fronting.
Home insurance, explainedHow UK home insurance works: buildings vs contents, underinsurance and the average clause, accidental damage, empty-home rules and flood cover (Flood Re).
Landlord insurance, explainedHow UK landlord insurance works: buildings and contents, loss of rent, liability, tenant damage, empty periods between lets and Scottish landlord rules.
Pet insurance, explainedHow UK pet insurance works: lifetime vs time-limited vs per-condition cover, pre-existing conditions, excess and co-payment, and why vet claims fail.
Public liability, employers' liability and professional indemnity, explainedPublic liability, employers' liability and professional indemnity explained: which is compulsory in the UK, the £5m minimum and the fines.
Travel insurance, explainedHow UK travel insurance works: emergency medical cover, what the GHIC does and doesn't do, declaring medical conditions, cancellation cover and FCA rules.
Van insurance, explainedHow UK van insurance works: social and commuting vs carriage of own goods vs hire and reward, why the wrong class voids claims, and goods in transit cover.