As the name suggests, 'Whole of Life insurance' provides life insurance cover for the whole of your life. The sum insured is paid to your estate following your death.

Whole of Life insurance is more expensive because it is certain that the life company will eventually have to pay the sum insured.

The initial premiums and the sum insured are guaranteed not to increase for the first 10 years. After this initial period the plan is reviewed every 5 years and if necessary the premiums may be increased.

Premiums will depend on the sum to be insured, your age, your sex and whether you smoke or not and your health. A non smoker is usually defined as someone who has not smoked for at least twelve months.