Life cover, mortgage & family protection in Fareham
If something happened to you, would your family keep the home? I’m Charles Calvert, and I’ll help you work out what you actually need to protect your mortgage and your family, from life cover to critical illness and income protection, explained in plain English with no hard sell.
Does anyone rely on your income?
Life insurance isn’t a legal requirement for a mortgage. But if someone would struggle to pay the bills without you, it’s worth a conversation. It’s most often worth looking at if you are:
Buying your first home
A new mortgage is usually the biggest debt you’ll ever take on. Cover can make sure it doesn’t fall on a partner or family.
Starting or growing a family
Children, childcare and school years change how much your household would need if your income stopped.
Self-employed
No sick pay and no employer death-in-service benefit means you may have less of a safety net than you think. If you’re self-employed, there’s usually no sick pay to fall back on.
Remortgaging or moving
If your borrowing or term changes, your existing cover may no longer match it. A good time to check.
The right cover, explained in plain English
Most people need a mix rather than all of these. I’ll help you weigh up what matters for your situation and budget.
Life insurance & mortgage protection
Pays a lump sum if you die during the policy term. There are two main types:
- Level cover: the amount stays the same for the whole term. Often used for family needs or interest-only mortgages.
- Decreasing cover: the amount goes down over time, roughly in line with a repayment mortgage. Usually used to clear the mortgage.
Critical illness cover
Pays a lump sum if you’re diagnosed with one of the serious conditions listed in the policy, such as certain cancers, heart attacks or strokes. Each insurer defines conditions differently, so the detail matters. It can be taken on its own or alongside life cover.
Income protection
Pays a regular monthly amount, usually a percentage of your income, if illness or injury stops you working. Payments start after a waiting period you choose and can continue until you return to work or the policy ends. This can be especially important if you’re self-employed.
Family income benefit
A type of life cover that pays a regular monthly income, rather than one lump sum, from the date of a claim until the end of the term. Families often use it to replace a salary while children are growing up.
Reviewing your existing policies
Many people have cover they took out years ago, cover through work, or a policy that no longer matches their mortgage. I’ll look at what you already have and tell you honestly whether there’s a gap, an overlap, or nothing to change. If your current cover is right, I’ll say so.
Whether a policy pays out depends on its terms and conditions, and on you answering the insurer’s questions fully and honestly when you apply. I’ll go through the key terms and exclusions with you before you decide.
How a protection review works
A no-fee chat
Book a time that suits you. We talk about your home, your family, your income and what you’d want to protect.
I look at what you have
Any existing policies, workplace benefits or savings, so we don’t pay for cover you don’t need.
I compare insurers
I search the insurers I work with and explain the options, including what each policy does and doesn’t cover.
You decide
No pressure and no obligation. If you go ahead, I handle the application and keep you updated.
Protection advice in Fareham and across Hampshire
Easy Mortgages is based at 10 Merryfield, Fareham. I help families and homeowners across Fareham, Portchester, Locks Heath, Whiteley, Titchfield, Stubbington and the wider Hampshire area. We can talk by phone, video call or WhatsApp at a time that suits you, or face to face if you prefer.
Your questions, answered
Do I have to take out life insurance with my mortgage?
No, it isn’t a legal requirement. But if anyone depends on your income or shares the mortgage with you, it’s one of the most important things to think about when you buy a home.
How much cover do I need?
It depends on your mortgage, other debts, your family’s day-to-day costs and any cover or savings you already have. Many people start with enough to clear the mortgage, then think about income for the family. We’ll work it out together so you’re not under- or over-insured.
What’s the difference between level and decreasing cover?
With level cover, the amount paid out stays the same throughout the term. With decreasing cover, the amount reduces over time, roughly in line with a repayment mortgage. Decreasing cover is often cheaper but is mainly designed to clear a mortgage. Level cover can also leave money for other needs.
I’m self-employed. Can I get income protection?
Yes, many insurers offer income protection to self-employed people. The amount you can insure is usually based on your proven earnings, such as tax returns or accounts. Without sick pay from an employer, it’s often one of the most useful types of cover to look at.
What does “writing a policy in trust” mean?
Putting a life policy in trust means the payout goes to the people you choose, through trustees, rather than into your estate. This can help the money reach your family more quickly, without waiting for probate, and may have inheritance tax benefits. Most insurers provide trust forms at no charge, and I can explain how they work. For complex situations, legal advice may be needed.
Can I get cover if I have a health condition?
Often, yes. Insurers look at conditions differently, and some may offer cover at standard terms, with an exclusion or at a higher premium. It’s important to tell the insurer everything they ask about your health and lifestyle. If you don’t, a claim could be reduced or refused.
What happens to my cover if I remortgage or move home?
Your life insurance doesn’t automatically change when your mortgage does. If you borrow more, extend your term or move, your cover may no longer match. Remortgaging is a good time to check, and I’ll look at your protection as part of your mortgage review.
I already have cover through work or an old policy. Is that enough?
Sometimes. Workplace cover usually ends when you leave that job, and older policies may not match your current mortgage or family. I’ll review what you have, and if it’s right, I’ll tell you. Please don’t cancel any existing policy until new cover is in place.
Does a protection review cost anything?
No. There’s never a fee to you for a protection review or protection advice, and there’s no obligation to take out a policy.
How are you paid for protection advice?
You never pay me a fee for protection advice. If you decide to take out a policy, I receive a fee (commission) from the insurance company. If you don’t go ahead, nothing is paid. I’ll confirm the details before you decide.
Don’t take my word for it
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Make sure your family and home are protected
Book a no-fee, no-obligation protection review. It takes about an hour by phone or video, and you’ll come away with a clear picture of where you stand, even if you decide you don’t need anything new.