Can you have more than one life insurance policy?
Find out how many life insurance policies you can have and why you might want more than one. And learn more about Tesco Life Insurance.
Published: 12 January 2026
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What is a life insurance policy?
A life insurance policy pays out a cash lump sum if you die during the term of the policy. Or if you become terminally ill and aren’t expected to live longer than a year.
The lump sum can help to support your loved ones if you’re no longer around to look after them. It could help to cover things like day-to-day living costs, childcare or to pay off some or all of your mortgage.
With Tesco Life Insurance, you can choose from 2 types of life insurance policy:
- Family Protection - also known as level cover. This lets you leave a lump sum to your loved ones if you can’t be there for them.Family Protection - also known as level cover. This lets you leave a lump sum to your loved ones if you can’t be there for them.
- Mortgage Protection - also known as decreasing cover. This can help to pay off a repayment mortgage after you’re gone.Mortgage Protection - also known as decreasing cover. This can help to pay off a repayment mortgage after you’re gone.
These policies provide different kinds of cover. And you can take out both types at the same time.
If you’re new to life insurance, you can find out more about the basics in our beginner’s guide: What is life insurance?
You can also learn what some of the key terms mean in our life insurance glossary.
Do I need life insurance?
Whether you need life insurance or not depends on your individual circumstances.
If you have a partner or children who depend on you for money, you might want to think about getting a policy. It can help to cover day-to-day expenses and other costs if you pass away. The lump sum can also help with the cost of your funeral.
If you have a mortgage, life cover can help to pay towards this when you’re gone.
For many families the death of a loved one doesn’t just bring heartbreak, it brings financial fear. According to our research 29% of Brits worry about their partner’s ability to manage their finances without them*. Having life insurance can help to give you peace of mind, knowing your family will be taken care of if you can’t be there for them.
You can learn more about mortgages and life insurance in our guide: Do you need life insurance for a mortgage?
How many life insurance policies can I have?
There’s no limit on how many life insurance policies you can have. But the maximum benefit amounts can vary for different insurance providers. This means they might cap how much life insurance you can take out over multiple policies.
With Tesco Life Insurance, you can have more than one policy. For example, you might decide you need both Family Protection and Mortgage Protection. Or you might want a joint policy as well as a single policy. However, if your total cover is high, Aviva, our life insurance provider, might need to do a more in-depth financial assessment to make sure they’re insuring you for the right amount.
Do I need more than one life insurance policy?
You might decide to get more than one life insurance policy for one of the following reasons:
- you need extra coveryou need extra cover
- you need a different kind of coveryou need a different kind of cover
- you have a single policy and want to take out a joint policyyou have a single policy and want to take out a joint policy
If you have a Tesco Life Insurance policy, and your circumstances change, you can:
- Decrease or increase your cover amountDecrease or increase your cover amount
- Decrease or increase when your policy will end - known as the policy termDecrease or increase when your policy will end - known as the policy term
If you are looking to decrease your cover amount or policy term then this can be done by contacting Aviva, our Life Insurance provider who will amend your existing policy.
If you are looking to increase your cover amount or policy term, then you may be able to do this via the use of your Guaranteed Insurability Options which are contained within your T&Cs. If however the increase request falls outside of those options, you may be subject to underwriting which could mean your request is not allowed. Customers looking to increase their plans will need to speak to Aviva who can discuss all their options.
Changing your Life Insurance policy could affect the premium you pay. And you might have to give us some medical information so we can make sure your cover meets your needs.
Can I have life insurance policies with different providers?
Yes. You can have different life insurance policies with different providers. You might decide to do that if your current provider can’t make the changes you need to your existing policy. You might need cover your current insurer can’t provide. Or you might’ve found a better deal elsewhere.
Each life insurance policy you take out is separate from any other policy you might have. That means you’ll have to pay separate premiums each month, even if they’re with the same insurer.
Reasons to have multiple life insurance policies
Depending on your circumstances, you might find your current life insurance policy doesn’t provide enough cover. Or it doesn’t provide the kind of cover you now need.
You might think about having more than one policy if:
- Your personal circumstances change - if you find yourself with greater financial responsibility - for example, if you have children - you might want more cover.Your personal circumstances change - if you find yourself with greater financial responsibility - for example, if you have children - you might want more cover.
- You get a mortgage - you might want the ability to pay off your mortgage if the worst was to happen.You get a mortgage - you might want the ability to pay off your mortgage if the worst was to happen.
- Your employer provides limited cover - some employers offer life insurance as a benefit. It’s called death in service. However, the payout might be limited. And cover only lasts for as long as you’re employed by them.Your employer provides limited cover - some employers offer life insurance as a benefit. It’s called death in service. However, the payout might be limited. And cover only lasts for as long as you’re employed by them.
- You want to take out a joint policy - you and your partner might decide to take out a joint policy together, alongside individual policies. This will provide a payout if one of you passes away, while still being covered by the single policy.You want to take out a joint policy - you and your partner might decide to take out a joint policy together, alongside individual policies. This will provide a payout if one of you passes away, while still being covered by the single policy.
Before taking out more than one life insurance policy
Before taking out an additional life insurance policy, it might be worth asking yourself these questions:
- Can you afford the monthly cost? Remember, life insurance policies have no cash-in value. So, you won’t get any money back if you change your mind about having another policy.Can you afford the monthly cost? Remember, life insurance policies have no cash-in value. So, you won’t get any money back if you change your mind about having another policy.
- Does it provide different cover? If you already have Mortgage Protection, it might be worth thinking about Family Protection. The combined cover could support your loved ones in different ways when you’re gone.Does it provide different cover? If you already have Mortgage Protection, it might be worth thinking about Family Protection. The combined cover could support your loved ones in different ways when you’re gone.
- Can you update your existing cover? Staying with the same provider could save you money but it depends on how the update is handled. It could also be more convenient to keep all your life cover in one place.Can you update your existing cover? Staying with the same provider could save you money but it depends on how the update is handled. It could also be more convenient to keep all your life cover in one place.
Can I claim on multiple life insurance policies?
If you have more than one life insurance policy when you die, your family or beneficiaries can make a claim on each one - whether they’re with the same provider or not.
Claiming on multiple life insurance policies could result in a bigger overall payout. So, make sure the people looking after your estate know where to find your policy details. To help guard against inheritance tax, consider placing your policies in a trust so the payout goes directly to your loved ones.
Why get Tesco Life Insurance?
At Tesco Insurance, we want to help you with the things that matter most. That’s why Tesco Life Insurance comes with a Big Win and lots of Little Helps.
- Clubcard Prices - Save on Tesco Life Insurance with your Clubcard.Clubcard Prices - Save on Tesco Life Insurance with your Clubcard.
- Your Big Win - Get a £100 Tesco gift card after you’ve paid 6 months’ premiums. T&Cs apply.Your Big Win - Get a £100 Tesco gift card after you’ve paid 6 months’ premiums. T&Cs apply.
- Your Little Helps - Get a full year of coupons in your Tesco grocery app to help you shop at Tesco.Your Little Helps - Get a full year of coupons in your Tesco grocery app to help you shop at Tesco. T&Cs apply.
As well as your Tesco benefits, you’ll also get access to health and wellbeing services with the Aviva DigiCare+ app, provided by Square Health and other selected partners.
Tesco Life Insurance is provided and administered by Aviva, who have a 5-star rating from Defaqto for life insurance and pay out on 98.8% of claims.
Important information
About Tesco Life Insurance
Tesco Life Insurance is arranged, administered and underwritten by Aviva Life & Pensions UK Limited.
Tesco Personal Finance Ltd acts as an introducer to Aviva Life & Pensions UK Limited which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Member of the Association of British Insurers. Firm Reference Number 185896.
Aviva Life & Pensions UK Limited. Registered in England & Wales No. 3253947. Registered Office: Aviva, Wellington Row, York, YO90 1WR. Tesco Personal Finance Ltd and Aviva Life & Pensions UK Limited. are not part of the same corporate group.
About Tesco Insurance
Tesco Insurance is a trading name of Tesco Personal Finance Ltd, Registered Office: 2 South Gyle Crescent, Edinburgh, EH12 9FQ (registered in Scotland, no SC173199) which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (register no. 186022).
Aviva DigiCare+ app
With the Aviva DigiCare+ app, you can start using a range of health and wellbeing services when you take out your policy.
Members of your family can use it too, as long as they're eligible.
The Aviva DigiCare+ app is provided by Square Health. The services are provided by Square Health and other selected partners.
You'll find full details about the services in the app, along with the terms and conditions, residency restrictions and privacy policy.
Aviva DigiCare+ is a non-contractual benefit that could be changed or withdrawn by Aviva at any time. So, it won't appear in any contract you've signed, or in any terms and conditions.
Life Insurance policy booklets
Please check the policy documents to make sure the cover you’ve chosen meets your needs.
The policy booklet and product information documents tell you about the benefits, limitations and exclusions that’ll apply to your cover.
The Big Win - £100 Tesco Gift Card
Terms and conditions
- You’ll get a £100 Tesco Gift Card once you’ve paid 6 months’ premiums, if you have a current Tesco Life Insurance policy.You’ll get a £100 Tesco Gift Card once you’ve paid 6 months’ premiums, if you have a current Tesco Life Insurance policy.
- Customers are entitled to one Tesco Gift Card per policy.Customers are entitled to one Tesco Gift Card per policy.
- We'll send your Tesco Gift Card to the email address you used when applying for your Tesco Life Insurance policy.We'll send your Tesco Gift Card to the email address you used when applying for your Tesco Life Insurance policy.
- Tesco Gift Cards should be treated like cash. Lost or stolen cards can’t be replaced.Tesco Gift Cards should be treated like cash. Lost or stolen cards can’t be replaced.
- You'll get an e-gift card, which can be used in any UK Tesco store. Please note, your Tesco Gift Card can’t be used in Tesco Petrol Stations.You'll get an e-gift card, which can be used in any UK Tesco store. Please note, your Tesco Gift Card can’t be used in Tesco Petrol Stations.
- Tesco’s change of mind policy does not apply to gift cards. If you change your mind, you can’t return your Tesco Gift Card for a refund. Your legal rights are not affected.Tesco’s change of mind policy does not apply to gift cards. If you change your mind, you can’t return your Tesco Gift Card for a refund. Your legal rights are not affected.
- Your Tesco Gift Card and balance will expire five years after the date you activated your card, or the date you last used your card, whichever comes later.Your Tesco Gift Card and balance will expire five years after the date you activated your card, or the date you last used your card, whichever comes later.
- Damaged, altered or cancelled cards won’t be accepted as payment.Damaged, altered or cancelled cards won’t be accepted as payment.
- Your Tesco Gift Card can’t be used to buy another Tesco Gift Card, or to buy other gift cards sold in-store or online at tescogiftcards.com. Your Tesco Gift Card can’t be used to buy another Tesco Gift Card, or to buy other gift cards sold in-store or online at tescogiftcards.com.
- We reserve the right to amend, modify or terminate this offer from time to time, at our sole discretion, and without prior notice.We reserve the right to amend, modify or terminate this offer from time to time, at our sole discretion, and without prior notice.
Little Life Helps - Tesco shopping benefits
Terms and conditions
- You’ll get money-off coupons to spend on your Tesco shopping for one year, starting from the date you get your first coupon.You’ll get money-off coupons to spend on your Tesco shopping for one year, starting from the date you get your first coupon.
- You’ll need to have the Tesco app on your mobile phone and be opted in to marketing.You’ll need to have the Tesco app on your mobile phone and be opted in to marketing.
- The coupons will appear automatically in your Tesco app.The coupons will appear automatically in your Tesco app.
- You'll get up to 5 Tesco coupons throughout the year, which could include £15 off your total shop and £5 off fruit & veg.You'll get up to 5 Tesco coupons throughout the year, which could include £15 off your total shop and £5 off fruit & veg.
- We reserve the right to amend, modify or terminate this offer from time to time, at our sole discretion, and without prior notice.We reserve the right to amend, modify or terminate this offer from time to time, at our sole discretion, and without prior notice.
Tesco Life Insurance is provided, administered and underwritten by Aviva Life & Pensions UK Limited.
Aviva have a 5-star rating for life insurance from Defaqto. And they pay out on 98.8% of life insurance claims*.
*Aviva UK individual claims report 2025, based on claims paid in 2024.
Learn more about Life Insurance
Find the right cover to give financial support to your family after you’ve gone. Tesco Life Insurance comes with Clubcard Prices, some great Tesco shopping benefits and Aviva DigiCare+.