Life insurance after divorce.
Learn about life insurance after divorce. And find out what your options are with Tesco Life Insurance.
Published: 24 March 2026
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What happens to life insurance after divorce?
If you and your ex-partner have a single life insurance policy each, you might not need to make any changes. But it’s worth checking you still have the right amount of cover for your needs.
If you have a Tesco Life Insurance policy and you need to increase it, you can:
- increase your cover amountincrease your cover amount
- increase when your policy will endincrease when your policy will end
To do this, you can contact Aviva, our life insurance provider, who will process the change.
Changing your life insurance policy could affect the premium you pay. And you might have to give us some additional information, like medical history, so we can make sure your cover meets your needs.
Can I have more than one life insurance policy after divorce?
Yes, you can have more than one life insurance policy after divorce. You might decide to get another policy if:
- you need extra coveryou need extra cover
- you need a different kind of coveryou need a different kind of cover
For example, you might have a level cover policy to leave your dependents a lump sum after you’re gone. But you might also want a decreasing cover policy to take care of the mortgage repayments separately.
Find out more about having multiple life insurances policies in our guide - Can you have more than one life insurance policy?
What kind of life insurance can I get with Tesco Insurance?
You can choose from 2 types of life insurance at Tesco:
- Family Protection - also known as level cover. This lets you leave a lump sum to your loved ones if you die or become terminally ill and aren’t expected to live longer than a year.Family Protection - also known as level cover. This lets you leave a lump sum to your loved ones if you die or become terminally ill and aren’t expected to live longer than a year.
- Mortgage Protection - also known as decreasing cover. This is designed with mortgages in mind and helps to pay off mortgage repayments after you’re gone.Mortgage Protection - also known as decreasing cover. This is designed with mortgages in mind and helps to pay off mortgage repayments after you’re gone.
Learn about different types of life insurance in our beginner’s guide - Types of life insurance explained.
What if I have a joint life insurance policy with my ex-partner?
If you have a joint life insurance policy with your ex-spouse, you have a few options:
- you can continue the policy together - this might be easier if the separation was amicable and the money is for your children.you can continue the policy together - this might be easier if the separation was amicable and the money is for your children.
- one of you can take control of the joint policy, while the other takes out a new policy.one of you can take control of the joint policy, while the other takes out a new policy.
- you can cancel the joint policy and you both take out new single policies - remember there’s no cash-in value at any time, so you won’t get any money back.you can cancel the joint policy and you both take out new single policies - remember there’s no cash-in value at any time, so you won’t get any money back.
- you may be able to separate the joint policy into 2 single policies - this is known as a separation benefit.you may be able to separate the joint policy into 2 single policies - this is known as a separation benefit.
What is a separation benefit?
If you have a joint Tesco Life Insurance policy, you’re entitled to a separation benefit with Aviva. This gives you the option of splitting your joint policy into 2 single policies if you split from your partner. Or if you rearrange your mortgage into one name.
Both Family Protection and Mortgage Protection policies come with separation benefits.
Bear in mind, both you and your ex-partner need to agree to the change. You also can’t use the separation benefit if you’re eligible to make a terminal illness claim on the current policy.
To make this process as easy as possible, Aviva won’t ask you to answer any extra medical questions.
Can my ex-spouse still claim on my life insurance policy?
If your ex-partner is named as a beneficiary on your life insurance policy, there is a possibility that they’ll still be able to claim on it when you die. This happens if you place your policy in a trust or if they are listed as a trustee. However, they won’t be able to benefit from the money unless they are named as a beneficiary/potential beneficiary in the Trust. You can contact Aviva directly to change this.
If you haven’t placed your policy in a trust, you can leave instructions in your will about who should get the payout.
Learn more about key life insurance terms - like beneficiary - in our life insurance glossary.
What happens to my mortgage after I get divorced?
If you have a mortgage with your ex-partner, you might choose:
- for one of you to take over the mortgage and put it in your name - this is a good time to review any life insurance policies you may have to make sure it still meets your needs.for one of you to take over the mortgage and put it in your name - this is a good time to review any life insurance policies you may have to make sure it still meets your needs.
- to sell the property and split the income between you both - you might decide to cancel your life insurance policy entirely and find new cover.to sell the property and split the income between you both - you might decide to cancel your life insurance policy entirely and find new cover.
If you’re not sure what to do, you could speak to a financial adviser. You can find one at unbiased.co.uk.
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 welcome gift after you've paid 6 months' premiums. Available on policies with a 3-year minimum term. T&Cs apply.Your Big Win - Get a welcome gift after you've paid 6 months' premiums. Available on policies with a 3‑year minimum term. T&Cs apply.
- Your Little Helps - Get a full year of coupons in your Tesco app to help you shop at Tesco. T&Cs apply.Your Little Helps - Get a full year of coupons in your Tesco app to help you shop at Tesco. Available on policies with a 3‑year minimum term, Clubcard app required and must be opted in to Tesco marketing. 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 Defaqto rating 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.
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+.