Exeter Friendly Life Insurance – Flexible Protection for Unique Health Needs

When it comes to life insurance, one size doesn’t always fit all. For people with complex medical histories or unique lifestyle factors, finding the right policy can be a challenge. That’s where Exeter Friendly Life Insurance comes in.

Known for its flexible underwriting and inclusive approach, Exeter Friendly (now trading as The Exeter) is a specialist UK insurer offering tailored protection — especially for people who might find it difficult to get cover elsewhere. Whether you’ve been declined by other insurers due to health concerns or simply want a provider that treats every case individually, The Exeter could be the right fit.

On this page, we break down what Exeter Friendly Life Insurance offers, who it’s for, and how it compares with more mainstream providers.

Who Are The Exeter?

The Exeter is a mutual organisation — which means it’s owned by its members, not shareholders. This structure allows the company to reinvest profits back into services, technology, and customer support.

The Exeter has built a strong reputation for offering protection products that are designed around real people, not just average profiles. This includes:

• Life Insurance
• Income Protection
• Private Health Insurance

Its life insurance policies are particularly attractive to those with existing health conditions or people in higher-risk professions who may have struggled to find affordable cover elsewhere.

What is Exeter Friendly Life Insurance?

Exeter Friendly Life Insurance is a term life insurance product that pays out a cash lump sum if you pass away during the policy term. The goal is to provide financial stability for your family or dependents at a difficult time.

Unlike more traditional insurers, The Exeter places a strong emphasis on flexible underwriting. That means they consider a wide range of personal circumstances — including health history, lifestyle, occupation, and more — rather than simply relying on blanket rules.

If you’ve been declined by other insurers or quoted sky-high premiums, The Exeter may offer a more realistic alternative.

Key Features of Exeter Life Insurance

Here’s what you can expect with an Exeter life insurance policy:

• Cover from £20,000 up to £3 million
• Term length: Choose a policy term from 5 to 50 years
• Age eligibility: Apply between 18 and 80 years old
• Maximum policy end age: 90
• Terminal illness benefit included at no extra cost
• Single and joint policies available
• Flexible underwriting for pre-existing conditions
• Guaranteed or renewable premium options
• Waiver of premium available (subject to eligibility)

Policies are underwritten at application, which means Exeter takes the time to assess your personal situation — not just a checklist of questions.

Why Choose The Exeter?

There are many reasons why someone might choose Exeter Friendly over a standard high street insurer:

• You’ve been declined for life insurance elsewhere
• You have a chronic or historical medical condition
• Your BMI, blood pressure or cholesterol are outside standard limits
• You work in a hazardous occupation
• You prefer to deal with a mutual organisation
• You want a policy that reflects your lifestyle, not assumptions

Exeter is known for its underwriters who treat each application individually. That means you’re not penalised for ticking a certain box on a form — instead, they assess the actual risk involved.

What Does Exeter Friendly Life Insurance Cover?

Your policy provides a tax-free lump sum payment if you:

• Die during the policy term
• Are diagnosed with a terminal illness and expected to live less than 12 months (terminal illness benefit)

The payout can be used however your family needs it — from paying off the mortgage to covering funeral costs or maintaining everyday living expenses.

Terminal Illness Benefit

This is included with every policy. If you’re diagnosed with a terminal illness and have less than a year to live, Exeter will release the lump sum payout early. This gives you and your family the flexibility to prepare, pay off debts, or access private care if needed.

Guaranteed vs Renewable Premiums

Exeter offers two premium structures:

1. Guaranteed Premiums

• Your monthly premium stays fixed for the full policy term.
• Gives you peace of mind and consistent budgeting.
• Slightly higher starting cost, but no surprises down the line.

2. Age-Costed (Renewable) Premiums

• Your premiums start lower but increase annually as you get older.
• Good for short-term affordability.
• Can work well if you plan to reassess your cover later.

You choose the model that best suits your financial plans and long-term goals.

Exclusions and Limitations

As with any life insurance product, there are some exclusions to be aware of:

• Suicide within the first 12 months of the policy
• Non-disclosure of medical conditions or lifestyle habits during application
• No payout if you outlive the policy term
• Missed premiums will result in policy cancellation

It’s essential to answer all health and lifestyle questions honestly during the application process. Exeter is known for fair underwriting, but claims can be declined if full disclosure isn’t made.

How Exeter Friendly Supports Health Conditions

What makes The Exeter different is its willingness to provide cover for people with conditions like:

• Diabetes (Type 1 & 2)
• High BMI / obesity
• Mental health conditions
• Cancer history (depending on type and remission period)
• Heart conditions or hypertension
• Liver conditions
• Smoking or vaping history

Each condition is assessed on its own merits — looking at treatment, control, and recovery rather than simply applying a blanket decline or pricing in excessive risk.

Making a Claim

The Exeter has a UK-based claims team trained to offer support during difficult times. To make a claim, the policyholder’s representative will need:

• A death certificate (or medical evidence in case of terminal illness)
• The policy number
• Proof of identity for the person making the claim

Once verified, Exeter will release the tax-free lump sum directly to the estate or nominated beneficiaries.

Policy Management and Support

After your policy begins, you’ll receive access to your personal policy documents, a dedicated support team, and options to:

• Update your contact or bank details
• Change your cover (subject to underwriting)
• Cancel or reinstate your policy
• Make a claim quickly and easily

The Exeter is also praised for its clear communications, accessible documentation, and member-first approach to service.

Exeter Friendly Life Insurance at a Glance: