Shepherds Friendly: Over 50s Life Insurance with Guaranteed Acceptance & Fixed Premiums

If you’re planning ahead and looking for a simple way to leave something behind for your loved ones, over 50s life insurance might be exactly what you need.

Shepherds Friendly is one of the longest-standing providers in the market, offering accessible protection with a focus on supporting you through life’s later stages.

At Kerr & Watson, we specialise in helping you understand how these policies work and whether they’re right for your circumstances. Our goal is to make life insurance feel straightforward rather than overwhelming.

Who Are Shepherds Friendly?

Shepherds Friendly is a mutual society with roots going back to 1826. Rather than being a shareholder-owned company, it’s run for the benefit of its members, which means profits go back into improving products and services.

With a strong focus on community and customer wellbeing, Shepherds Friendly is known for its simple over 50s life insurance offering. It’s designed for people who want guaranteed acceptance without needing medical checks or detailed underwriting.

What Does Shepherds Friendly Offer?

The main protection product offered by Shepherds Friendly is over 50s life insurance, a whole of life policy that pays out a guaranteed lump sum upon your death. This cover is intended to help your loved ones with funeral expenses, unpaid bills, or simply provide a small financial gift.

Key Features

Guaranteed Acceptance: If you’re aged between 50 and 80 and live in the UK, you’ll be accepted without any medical questions.
Whole of Life Cover: The policy remains active until you pass away, and the payout is guaranteed, no expiry dates or term limits.
Fixed Premiums: Your payments stay the same throughout the premium term, offering financial certainty.
Minimum and Maximum Premiums: You can pay from £10 to £50 per month, depending on how much cover you’d like designing your premiums and cover accordingly.
Optional Funeral Benefit: You can choose to have your payout go directly to Co-op Funeralcare to help manage funeral costs, and this includes a discount off your final bill.

This policy is designed to be as straightforward as possible. If you’re in good health or looking for higher sums assured, there may be alternative routes worth exploring too which is something we will do.

What Are the Benefits?

Shepherds Friendly focuses on delivering value through simplicity and support. Beyond the policy basics, you also get:

Bereavement Support: Access to counselling and guidance for your loved ones through the National Bereavement Service.
No Medical Required: Ideal if you’ve had medical issues in the past or simply want hassle-free application.
Fixed Monthly Cost: Helps you budget without unexpected changes in price.
Community-Focused Values: As a mutual society, there’s an emphasis on ethical business practices and member wellbeing.

It’s this member-first approach that makes Shepherds Friendly stand out, particularly for those who want a more human feel to their financial protection.

Who Might This Be Right For?

You may find Shepherds Friendly suitable if you:

Are aged between 50 and 80 and want life cover with guaranteed acceptance
Prefer not to disclose your medical history
Are looking for an affordable way to leave a lump sum for your family or to cover funeral costs
Want a policy that’s easy to understand and manage
Would benefit from built-in support services for your loved ones

However, if you’re younger than 50, or in excellent health with more complex financial goals, other types of cover may offer better value or flexibility.

Regardless of your situation, we will never assume and we help you look at all the angles before making a decision.

Things to Consider

While the simplicity of over 50s life insurance is appealing, there are a few things worth keeping in mind:

Waiting Period: Most policies, including Shepherds Friendly, have a qualifying period (usually 12 or 24 months). If you die within this time (except by accident), the full benefit may not be paid.
Value vs. Contributions: Because you’re guaranteed acceptance, the cost of premiums can sometimes add up to more than the payout, particularly if you live for a long time.
Limited Payouts: The sum assured is often lower than with medically underwritten life insurance policies.

These are important points to weigh up, which is why getting tailored advice is so valuable. We’ll help you understand how this product compares to others and ensure you’re not paying more than you need to for the level of cover you want.

Why Speak to Kerr & Watson?

At Kerr & Watson, we do more than just quote prices, we listen, advise, and guide you to the most appropriate solution for your goals.

Whether you’re considering Shepherds Friendly or exploring other providers, we’re here to help you find the right cover with the right advice.

Conclusion

Shepherds Friendly offers a trusted approach to over 50s life insurance. With guaranteed acceptance, fixed premiums, and a caring ethos, it’s a reassuring option for those seeking peace of mind later in life.

But while it may be a great fit for some, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons, and to compare it with other providers that might offer more flexibility, cover, or value based on your personal situation.

Get in touch with Kerr & Watson today and let us help you explore your life insurance options from the whole market.

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Schedule a call to talk to an adviser about your needs and situation. Alternatively give us a call on 01252 224620 or email us on info@kerrandwatson.co.uk.

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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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Once we have the relevant information, we will complete your insurance application and update you throughout the process.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Shepherds Friendly

▸ ▾ Is Shepherds Friendly good for income protection?

Shepherds Friendly may be suitable for customers looking for income protection, especially where you want cover that can support your income if illness or injury prevents you working.

▸ ▾ Can Kerr & Watson help me apply to Shepherds Friendly?

Yes, Kerr & Watson can help compare Shepherds Friendly with other income protection providers and recommend whether it is suitable for your circumstances.

▸ ▾ What does Shepherds Friendly income protection cover?

Income protection is designed to pay a monthly benefit if you cannot work due to illness or injury. The amount, waiting period and claim rules depend on the policy.

▸ ▾ Is Shepherds Friendly suitable for self-employed people?

Shepherds Friendly may be suitable for self-employed workers who need to protect their income because they do not receive employer sick pay.

▸ ▾ How much income protection do I need?

The right amount depends on your income, essential bills, mortgage or rent, savings and existing sick pay. Kerr & Watson can help calculate a realistic level of cover.

▸ ▾ What waiting period should I choose?

The waiting period depends on how long you could manage financially before cover starts paying. A longer waiting period can reduce premiums, but it must be affordable in real life.

▸ ▾ Does Shepherds Friendly accept medical conditions?

Shepherds Friendly may consider applicants with medical conditions, but underwriting will depend on the details. Some conditions may be accepted, excluded or rated.

▸ ▾ Is Shepherds Friendly better than Holloway Friendly?

Shepherds Friendly and Holloway Friendly may suit different customers depending on occupation, health, benefits and pricing. Kerr & Watson can compare both providers for you.

▸ ▾ How much does Shepherds Friendly cover cost?

The cost depends on age, occupation, health, smoking status, benefit amount, waiting period and policy term. Comparing providers helps identify the right value.

▸ ▾ Should I get advice before choosing Shepherds Friendly?

Yes, income protection should be tailored to your job, income and household commitments. Kerr & Watson can compare Shepherds Friendly with other providers and recommend suitable cover.

Common Insurance Provider Questions

▸ ▾ How do I know which insurance provider is right for me?

The right insurance provider will depend on the type of cover you need, your age, health, lifestyle, occupation, budget and the reason for taking out the policy. Some insurers may be stronger for life insurance, while others may be more suitable for income protection, critical illness cover, private medical insurance or business protection. An adviser can compare providers and help recommend cover that suits your circumstances.

▸ ▾ Do all insurance providers offer the same cover?

No. Insurance providers can offer different policy features, definitions, exclusions, underwriting rules, claims processes and optional extras. Two policies may look similar at first, but the quality of cover can vary significantly. This is why it is important to compare more than just the monthly premium.

▸ ▾ Is the cheapest insurance provider always the best option?

Not always. The cheapest policy may not provide the most suitable cover for your needs. It is important to consider what the policy covers, what it excludes, how claims are assessed, whether optional benefits are included and whether the provider’s underwriting is suitable for your circumstances.

▸ ▾ Why use an insurance adviser instead of applying directly?

An insurance adviser can help compare providers, explain the differences between policies and recommend cover based on your needs. This can be especially useful if you are protecting a mortgage, have a family, are self-employed, have pre-existing medical conditions, work in a higher-risk occupation or want to make sure the policy is set up correctly.

▸ ▾ Can an adviser compare multiple insurance providers?

Yes. An adviser can compare a range of insurance providers and policy types, helping you understand which options may be suitable. This can include life insurance, critical illness cover, income protection, private medical insurance and business protection, depending on your needs.

▸ ▾ Do insurance providers assess medical history differently?

Yes. Insurance providers can take different views on medical history, medication, BMI, smoking, family history and previous health conditions. One provider may offer standard terms, while another may increase the premium, exclude a condition or decline cover. Choosing the right provider can make a significant difference.

▸ ▾ Can I get insurance if I have a pre-existing medical condition?

You may still be able to get insurance if you have a pre-existing medical condition, but the terms will depend on the condition, severity, treatment, recovery, time since diagnosis and the type of cover required. Some insurers may be more flexible than others, so it is worth getting advice before applying.

▸ ▾ Do insurance providers check my medical records?

Some insurance applications can be accepted based on the information provided in the application, while others may require additional medical evidence. This could include a GP report, nurse screening, medical exam or further questions from the insurer. The level of underwriting depends on the provider, policy type, cover amount and your medical history.

▸ ▾ Will an insurance provider pay out if I make a claim?

A valid claim should be paid if it meets the policy terms and the information provided at application was accurate. Claims can be affected if the condition is not covered, an exclusion applies, premiums have not been maintained or important information was not disclosed when applying. This is why it is important to answer application questions carefully.

▸ ▾ Can I have more than one insurance policy?

Yes. Many people have more than one insurance policy, especially if each policy has a different purpose. For example, you may have life insurance to protect a mortgage, income protection to replace earnings if you cannot work, and critical illness cover to provide a lump sum following a serious illness. The right combination will depend on your needs and budget.

▸ ▾ Should I review my insurance if my circumstances change?

Yes. It is sensible to review your insurance after major life changes, such as buying a home, remortgaging, having children, changing jobs, becoming self-employed, increasing your borrowing or starting a business. Your existing cover may no longer match your needs, or there may be better-suited options available.

▸ ▾ Can Kerr & Watson help me choose between insurance providers?

Yes. Kerr & Watson can review your circumstances, compare suitable insurance providers and explain which options may be available. We can help with life insurance, critical illness cover, income protection, private medical insurance, business protection and cover for more complex circumstances.