Royal London paid a record £821m in protection claims in 2025, supporting 62,412 customers, families and businesses at some of life’s most challenging moments.
The customer-owned business paid 98.4% of all protection claims, reinforcing its focus on delivering reliable outcomes for customers and advisers.
The figures reflect continued growth in Royal London’s protection business, including the first full year of claims following the transfer of Aegon’s individual protection portfolio. Term life claims increased by 32% and terminal illness claims by 17% year-on-year.
In 2025, Royal London paid:
• £326m in term life and terminal illness claims, with average payouts of £85,437 (life) and £133,238 (terminal illness)
• £198m in critical illness claims to 2,959 customers, with an average payment of £67,000 (89.3% payout rate). Cancer accounted for 64% of claims, followed by heart attack (9%) and stroke (8%)
• £9.6m in income protection claims, supporting 1,536 customers (85.2% payout rate)
• £282m in whole of life claims, with a 99.9% payout rate
Demand for Royal London’s Helping Hand service continued to grow, with GP appointments rising 21% year-on-year and a 12% increase in customers accessing RedArc nurse support, providing practical and emotional support to 1,093 customers and their families.
Claims data also highlights the importance of protection across all age groups. In 2025, the youngest claimant was 19 and the oldest 102.
Craig Paterson, Chief Underwriter at Royal London, said:
“We support customers at some of the most difficult moments in their lives, and that’s about far more than simply paying a claim, it’s about being clear, fair and compassionate every step of the way.
Our claims figures underline why protection matters. When the unexpected happens, having cover in place can make a real difference, and features like Free Cover help make sure customers are protected from day one, giving them confidence we’ll be there when it matters most.”
