What does the plan provide?

The plan will pay a cash sum on death during the cover term, or on diagnosis of a terminal illness where death is expected within 12 months and at least 18 months before the end of the cover term. If the cash sum is paid, the plan will end.

Remember that inflation reduces the spending power of any money paid out in the future. You should regularly review your cover. This plan has no cash in value.

Why do I need Life Cover?

Life Cover is designed to help protect your loved ones financially if you die. The cash sum can be used to pay outstanding debts (eg mortgages) or provide financial security for your family and dependents.

If there are people who depend on you financially, you'll probably need to consider Life Cover. Remember that inflation reduces the spending power of any money paid out in the future. You should regularly review your cover.

Which insurance company provides John Lewis Life Cover?

John Lewis Life Cover is provided and administered by Friends Life Limited.
Friends Life is a UK financial services group that has been providing financial protection to customers since 1832. The quality of Friends Life's protection products and their customer service is reflected by the variety of industry awards received.

How long will the application take?

It depends on how much information is needed. Cover can be offered after 30-40 minutes on the phone with us. However, if your application needs to be reviewed by an underwriter, or if we require further information such as a doctor's report or a medical examination, the application will take longer.

Can I apply for John Lewis Life Cover online?

You can get a quote online but applications must be made over the phone. We're confident that by speaking to us any questions you may have can be answered directly and we’ll make sure no important information is missed out of your application.

When I apply, how much personal information will I need to provide?

You’ll be asked about your personal and family medical history, your occupation and your pastimes. Your answers will be used in assessing your application and will be kept confidential and never disclosed.

Friends Life may not pay a claim if you do not answer all questions truthfully, accurately and completely to the best of your knowledge when applying for your plan and when making a claim.

What cover is offered?

We offer two kinds of Life Cover:

• Level Cover: the cash sum that will be paid out stays the same throughout the cover term.
• Decreasing Cover: the cash sum that will be paid out decreases over the cover term normally in line with the outstanding amount of your mortgage.
  
  

You can also choose between Single Life, which covers just one person and Joint Life which covers you against something happening either to you or to your spouse or civil partner.

Can it cover my partner as well?

Yes. You can set up your plan jointly with your partner so the cash sum is payable on the first death or the first diagnosis of a terminal illness during the cover term. If the cash sum is paid, the plan will end. You can include Waiver of Premium Benefit on one or both lives.

What is Waiver of Premium Benefit?

This is an optional benefit available at an extra cost. You can include it from the start if you're aged under 55, in good health and not in a higher-risk occupation. It keeps your payments going for you if illness or accidental injury stops you from working for more than six months. If you're not in full-time employment, it depends on your ability to do certain basic tasks instead.

Are there any age limits?

You must be aged 18 or over when you start the plan and your cover must end before you reach the age of 85. You must be under 55 to include Waiver of Premium Benefit.

What happens when I decide to accept the cover offered?

If you start your cover, you’ll receive a confirmation schedule in the post. For your cover to continue, you must check the information in the schedule is accurate and complete and return the reply slip confirming this within 30 days.

How much will the cover cost me?

This will depend on:

• the cover amount you need
• how long you need it for
• whether you include Waiver of Premium Benefit
• whether you smoke or use nicotine products
• your age and sex
• your medical history, occupation and pastimes.

How can I pay for my John Lewis Life Cover?

You can pay for Life Cover monthly by direct debit. You’ll need your bank address, sort code and account number.

What happens if I stop my payments?

If you miss a payment, your plan will continue for 30 days. If you don't pay it within this time, your plan will stop and you won't get anything back.

Can I change my cover during the term?

Yes, the plan allows you to increase or reduce the cover level and the cover term depending on your age, health, occupation and pastimes at the the time. Changes also depend on the plan terms and conditions at the time.

If you're under the age of 50 and in good health at the start, your plan will include options to increase your cover or extend the cover term without further evidence of health, occupation or pastimes for certain events. For more details, please see the
Key Facts (PDF) or Policy conditions (PDF).

Are there any times when a claim may not be paid?

For a Waiver of Premium claim, Friends Life won’t pay unless you tell them about it within one month of disablement.

For a terminal illness claim, you must tell them within three months of disablement.

They won't pay a Waiver of Premium claim if it’s due in any way to HIV/AIDS or war.

Friends Life won’t pay a claim if they specifically exclude it by applying special terms to your plan or if you fail to answer all questions truthfully, accurately and completely to the best of your knowledge when applying or making a claim.

Is the cash sum liable to tax?

Under current tax rules, you're not liable for income tax or capital gains tax on your plan unless you sell it to another person. However, tax rules may change.

What about inheritance tax?

If you die during the cover term, the money paid out on your plan will form part of your estate for inheritance tax purposes. Once you've started your plan, you might want to get professional advice about placing it in a trust to help with inheritance tax planning.

What if I need to make a complaint?

Write to:

Customer Relations Manager
John Lewis Life Cover
PO Box 1550
Salisbury
SP1 2TW

Where can I see the full plan terms and conditions?

These can be viewed online here (PDF).

When you take out a plan, you'll be sent a copy of the terms and conditions for John Lewis Life Cover and a schedule that sets out all the information about the plan that is individual and specific to you.

Does the plan have a cash-in value?

No, it doesn't.