Guardian

Guardian

Guardian: Flexible Life Insurance & Income Protection with Fairer Cover

When it comes to choosing life insurance or income protection, you want to feel confident that the provider will truly be there when it matters. Guardian is a modern, award-winning insurer that’s built a reputation for doing things differently, from flexible policy options to clear, fair claims processes.

At Kerr & Watson, we help you figure out if Guardian’s unique approach is right for you. Our goal is to match you with protection that works in real life, not just on paper.

Who Are Guardian?

Guardian, or Guardian 1821, is a newer name on the market, but it’s backed by a long heritage and a fresh approach. Relaunched in 2018, the brand is focused solely on protection — life cover, critical illness, and income protection and offers adviser-only policies. This means they work exclusively through brokers like us, ensuring that each policy is recommended with professional advice.

Guardian aims to set a high standard when it comes to clarity, fairness, and flexibility. They’ve already earned industry recognition for innovation and customer-focused features, which has made them a strong choice for individuals and families looking for peace of mind.

What Types of Cover Do Guardian Offer?

Guardian focuses on core protection needs with customisable options that allow you to shape your policy around your life. Their product range includes:

  • Life Insurance: Pays a lump sum if you die during the policy term. Can be used to pay off your mortgage, replace lost income, or provide financial support to your family.
  • Critical Illness Cover: Offers a payout if you’re diagnosed with one of the serious illnesses listed in the policy. Guardian is known for including a wide range of conditions and for paying out based on the severity of the illness, not just a fixed list.
  • Income Protection: Designed to replace a portion of your income if you’re unable to work due to illness or injury. You choose how long the benefit lasts and when it starts, giving you flexibility around your needs and finances.
  • Children’s Critical Illness Cover: An optional extra that can be added to your own policy, offering support if your child is diagnosed with a serious condition.

Each policy can be set up as level, decreasing, or increasing cover depending on whether you’re protecting a mortgage, future costs, or your income.

What Makes Guardian Different?

Guardian’s standout features are designed to offer more flexibility and fewer surprises if you ever need to make a claim. Here’s what sets them apart:

  • Dual Life Cover: If you choose joint cover, both lives are fully insured — meaning if both policyholders pass away, two full payouts are made. That’s unlike many providers who only pay once on a joint policy.
  • Severity-Based Critical Illness: Guardian pays based on the seriousness of your condition. Instead of a simple yes/no, you’re more likely to receive partial payouts for less severe illnesses and full payouts for critical conditions.
  • Flexible Premiums: You can opt for guaranteed premiums that never change, or indexed cover that increases with inflation to protect the real value of your payout.
  • Funeral Pledge: If your life insurance claim is delayed due to probate, Guardian will release up to £10,000 upfront to help cover funeral costs.
  • Wellbeing Support: Their Halo service includes second medical opinions, 24/7 GP access, counselling, and more — helping you and your family during times of illness or bereavement.

Who Might Guardian Be Right For?

Guardian is often a good match if you:

  • Want flexible, modern protection designed around real-life needs
  • Are looking for a policy with fairer joint life cover
  • Prefer critical illness cover that’s more comprehensive than average
  • Value wellbeing support and additional services alongside financial protection
  • Want clarity and confidence around the claims process

Guardian’s policies are typically suited to people who want to protect their income, home, or family with cover that adapts to life’s ups and downs. If you like the idea of more control and clearer benefits, it could be a strong choice.

How Much Does Guardian Cost?

As with any protection policy, your premium will be based on several factors:

  • Your age and health history
  • Whether you smoke
  • The type and amount of cover you need
  • The term of your policy
  • Any optional extras like children’s cover or income protection

Guardian tends to sit in the mid-to-premium price range, largely because of their enhanced features and flexible benefits. While you may find cheaper options elsewhere, what you’re getting with Guardian is broader cover and a fairer approach to claims.

At Kerr & Watson, we help you weigh up whether that additional value is worth the cost to you, and if not, we’ll help you explore other options.

Why Get Advice from Kerr & Watson?

At Kerr & Watson, we specialise in matching people with the right cover. We take time to understand your financial commitments, your family, your health, and your goals, then search the market to find what fits.

If Guardian is the best provider for you, we’ll let you know. If someone else is a better fit, we’ll explain why and help you make that choice with confidence.

Conclusion

Guardian is a modern, forward-thinking protection provider that offers flexible, transparent life insurance, critical illness, and income protection. Their policies are built to adapt to the realities of life, giving you more control and fairer outcomes if things go wrong.

But even with a provider as promising as Guardian, the key is making sure the cover fits you.

At Kerr & Watson, we’re here to help you make that decision with advice you can trust and support every step of the way.

Whether you’re considering Guardian or just starting your protection journey, get in touch with Kerr & Watson today and let’s build a plan that truly protects what matters most to you.

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We will take the information gained on the call and carry out some research before sending you a bespoke recommendation.

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Testimonials

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charlotte yates
21 July 2026
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Marie Kitchener was extremely helpful with a difficult , quite complex case. Marie responded to our questions with understanding, great knowledge and we trusted her advice. The solicitor she recommended was brilliant too. Highly recommend Kerr & Watson.
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Lauren Murray
30 June 2026
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Marie Kitchen was absolutely fabulous. We had an incredibly complicated case due to living abroad and a few hiccups along the way. Marie was persistent and helped us to resolve these efficiently. Highly recommend.
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Michelle
8 June 2026
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My 2nd time dealing with Kerr & Watson and they didn't disappoint, great service, professional and patient - big shout out to Andreea & Stephen
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Sean Turner profile picture
Sean Turner
2 June 2026
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I had an excellent experience with Kerr and Watson and would happily recommend them. A special mention has to go to James, who provided exceptional service throughout. He was professional, approachable, clear in his communication and always willing to help. His support made a huge difference, and we genuinely couldn’t have done it without him. I would not hesitate in recommending K&W to any family or friends.
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Jackie
15 May 2026
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Brad was quick with getting me the right mortgage insurance prior to a move abroad. Polite and professional. Also liked that he would call to remind me take any actions if I hadn't responded to emails
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Ade Kunle
1 May 2026
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I will always recommend Kerr & Watson to friend and family.
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Minzel 33
23 April 2026
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This is my second product with Matthew, securing a BTL for my LTD with the best rate on the market. Once again great support, guidance and smooth process. Highly recommended, knowledgeable team. Reliable service.
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Freya B
14 April 2026
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The team at Kerr & Watson were brilliant end to end. Daniel explained everything clearly, was always available to answer questions and helped us secure a great mortgage rate. The mortgage broking service they offer is worth every penny and I'd not hesitate to use them again. Thank you!
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Dean Langton profile picture
Dean Langton
7 April 2026
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Excellent service and very nice people. Would highly recommend using them.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Guardian

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