50% of UK Women Still Uninsured: The Gender Gap in Life Cover

Despite juggling care roles and household duties, many UK women remain without life insurance, leaving dependants vulnerable. Recent research from Capital for Life and Post Office Life revealed that while 53% of adults say they have a life insurance policy, gender differences persist: 56% of men have coverage compared to 51% of women. That 5-point gap signals a deeper issue in financial protection.

With over 17 million UK adults holding no life insurance, the consequences of unexpected loss can hit families hard, especially where women are primary caregivers or secondary earners. Closing this gap isn’t just recommended, but it’s also critical for financial security.

How Big Is the Gender Gap in the UK?

Post Office Life’s 2024 poll of 2,000 adults found 56% of male respondents and 51% of female respondents have life insurance, revealing a notable gender disparity.

The UK Life Insurance Index 2025 reported that a third of women have no life insurance protection, compared to just 16% of men—meaning women are twice as likely to be uninsured. actuarialpost.co.uk

Overall, only about 28% of UK adults held life insurance in 2022, with male ownership at 31% and female ownership at 28%.

Why the Gap Persists: Key Drivers

Affordability Misconceptions: Around 21% of women in the UK believe they cannot afford life insurance, compared to just 10% of men.

Lack of Knowledge: Nearly 29% of women say they’ve never been educated about life insurance versus 18% of men.

Misunderstandings & Misperceptions: Nearly 1 in 3 Brits (regardless of gender) incorrectly believe a life insurance policy is required to get a mortgage.

Capital for Life’s Advice: Empowering Women with Coverage

Simplify Education: Host webinars and produce guides focusing on women’s financial realities: career breaks, caregiving, single parenthood.

Show Real Costs: Share realistic premium examples (e.g., £5–£10/month for basic term cover) to demystify price barriers.

Utilise Workplace Schemes: Promote group cover / employer-sponsored policies that are easier to access and affordable.

Personalised Support: Offer one-on-one consultations to tailor plans for women with caregiving roles or non-traditional income patterns.

Practical Tips from Capital for Life

Start small Even modest life cover offers peace of mind and can grow over time.
Use comparison tools Helps reduce confusion and make informed decisions.

Review annually Life changes (e.g., children, mortgage, health) often mean revising coverage.

Speak to an advisor Professional guidance ensures cover matches real needs and budget.

“In the UK, the degree of female under-insurance remains striking. While surveys show that around 56% of men and 51% of women have life insurance, a third of women remain entirely unprotected compared to 16% of men. That’s a gap we can no longer ignore. Women take on caregiving roles, juggle household finances, and often face career breaks, but their protection doesn’t reflect that reality.

Affordability concerns and lack of clear information are major barriers. Yet, life cover can be surprisingly accessible: basic term policies can cost less than a daily coffee. What’s needed is transparency and trust. At Capital for Life, we’re focused on demystifying coverage, offering clear, stage-specific advice for women, whether single, self-employed or juggling multiple roles.

Education can change behaviours: when women understand how life insurance safeguards not just themselves but the families they protect, the likelihood of purchase increases. Employers and advisers must also step up by designing flexible, affordable products for women in all walks of life.

Ultimately, life insurance isn’t a luxury, but a form of love and security. Closing the gap means enabling more women to safeguard what matters most: the people they care for,” says Finance and Insurance Expert Carlton Crabbe from Capital for Life.