Guardian pays record £31.7m in claims
Insurance provider Guardian paid a record of nearly £31.7m to policyholders in 2025, a 48% increase on the previous year.
This was paid across 297 life, terminal illness and critical illness claims, with 91% of all claims paid. Guardian paid 100% of children’s critical illness claims, 92% of terminal illness claims, 90% of adult critical illness claims and 87% of life claims.
In numbers, 209 claims related to adult or children’s critical illness cover and 88 related to life and terminal illness claims.
Guardian also paid 99% of Premium Waiver claims, helping 293 customers keep their cover while they were unable to work due to illness, injury, redundancy, maternity leave or paternity leave.
The waiver is included as standard with every Guardian policy.
Further, the insurance said 70% of life claims were paid using its integrated beneficiary nomination Payout Planner. The system identifies beneficiaries in advance and helped families receive payments up to 21 days faster on average.
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Of the 29 claims Guardian did not pay, 24 were due to misrepresentation, where relevant information, such as ongoing medical investigations or pre-existing health conditions, hadn’t been disclosed at application.
Carlton Hood, chief executive of Guardian, said: “Protection works. Last year, we paid a record of almost £31.7m 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 benefitted from Guardian’s protection in 2025, and of the role our people, advisers and products played in delivering on the promises we make.”
