Guardian paid almost £31.7 million in life, terminal illness and critical illness claims during 2025, an increase of 48% on the previous year.

The protection provider paid 297 claims during the year, representing 91% of those received across the three main categories.

Guardian said the higher payout reflected both growth in its customer base and the increasing maturity of its book of business.

Adult and children’s critical illness claims accounted for 209 of the claims paid, while a further 88 related to life and terminal illness cover.

Children’s critical illness claims had the highest payment rate, with 100% of claims accepted. Guardian paid 92% of terminal illness claims, 90% of adult critical illness claims and 87% of life claims.

CRITICAL ILLNESS CLAIMS ACCOUNT FOR LARGEST SHARE

Guardian paid £13,986,218 across 169 adult critical illness claims during the year, alongside £807,617 through 40 children’s critical illness claims.

Terminal illness claims resulted in payments of £7,660,194 across 35 cases, while 53 life claims accounted for £9,217,344.

In total, the insurer paid £31,671,373 across the four claim categories. It was unable to pay 29 claims during 2025, of which 24 were declined because of misrepresentation, including cases where ongoing medical investigations or pre-existing health conditions had not been disclosed during the application process.

Guardian also paid 99% of Premium Waiver claims, supporting a further 293 customers who were unable to work because of illness, injury, redundancy, maternity leave or paternity leave. Premium Waiver is included as standard with its policies.

Across claims and Premium Waiver payments, 590 customers and families received financial support during the year.

BENEFICIARY NOMINATION USED IN 70% OF LIFE CLAIMS

The insurer said 70% of life claims were paid using Payout Planner, its beneficiary nomination feature. Guardian said identifying beneficiaries in advance reduced the average time taken for families to receive payments by 21 days.

Carlton Hood, chief executive officer at Guardian, said: “Protection works. Last year we paid a record of almost £31.7 million to customers and their families through 297 life, terminal illness and critical illness claims.

“When people take out protection, they’re planning for the unexpected. Our job is to be there when those moments happen, providing financial support when it’s needed most.

“We’re proud that more customers than ever benefited from Guardian’s protection in 2025, and of the role our people, advisers and products played in delivering on the promises we make.”