Joint Life cover... two's company...

As its name suggests, a joint life policy is one that insures two lives. It pays out on the first person when:

• They die or:
• are diagnosed with a terminal illness provided it is at least 18 months before the expiry of the policy term.

If you select Joint Life Insurance With Critical Illness Cover then it will pay out when the first person suffers one of the defined critical illnesses or dies. Please note the policy only pays out once.

For joint applications the lives assured must have a recognised financial interest (often known as an "insurable interest") in each other. Some examples are:

• Married couples or registered civil partners
• Cohabiting couples with joint financial obligations (such as a mortgage or dependent children)
• Two adults who can show a valid financial reason for the cover (this would include a joint mortgage and directors/partners covering a business loan)

Cover for both lives can also be arranged by having individual policies. This means that if one dies (or suffers a critical illness if applicable), the remaining life still has cover. In addition, in the event of both lives ceasing together, there would be two payouts.

Note that our Over 50s Plan only covers single lives. Read the policy terms and conditions to find out about defined critical illnesses.