‘Squeezed middle’ falling short on cover

Fewer than half of households have enough life cover to protect their family, according to new research¹ that reveals a worrying gap for the “squeezed middle.”

While 44% of households have enough life cover to protect their family, the figures for those aged 30 to 34 (30%) and those aged 35 to 39 (34%) are considerably lower. Moreover, only 35% of households with a mortgage are sufficiently protected.

The ‘squeezed middle,’ as the report refers to the groups aged between 30 and 40, ‘carry an enormous weight of responsibility’ since many are paying for a home and raising children. Just 26% of couples with children have enough cover. Couples with children are often already stretched, the analysis points out, on top of having a home with a sizeable mortgage. All this means that they need stronger safety nets to protect the whole family should the worst happen.

Sarah Coles of Hargreaves Lansdown, commented, “Often people know that insurance needs to cover their mortgage, but they may not think about any children, and covering the cost of bringing them up.”

If you are in the ‘squeezed middle,’ it could be time to check whether your cover is sufficient to protect you and your family.

As with all insurance policies, conditions and exclusions will apply

¹Hargreaves Lansdown, 2023