- A record of almost £31.7 million paid to customers and their families in 2025, up 48% on 2024
- 91% of life, terminal illness and critical illness claims paid in 2025
- 70% of all life claims were paid using beneficiary nomination
- 99% of Premium Waiver claims paid, supporting a further 293 customers
- 590 customers and families received support through claims and Premium Waiver payments during the year
Guardian paid a record of almost £31.7 million to customers and their families in 2025, helping more people than ever when faced with illness or the death of a loved one. The total amount paid was 48% higher than in 2024, reflecting the provider’s growing customer base and the continued maturity of its book of business.
In total, Guardian paid 297 life, terminal illness and critical illness claims during 2025, paying 91% of all claims received. The insurer paid 100% of children’s critical illness claims, alongside 92% of terminal illness claims, 90% of adult critical illness claims and 87% of life claims.
Of the claims paid, 209 related to adult or children’s critical illness cover, while 88 related to life and terminal illness claims, highlighting the important role both covers play in supporting customers and their families.
Guardian also paid 99% of Premium Waiver claims, helping a further 293 customers continue their cover while unable to work due to illness, injury, redundancy, maternity leave or paternity leave. Premium Waiver is included as standard with every Guardian policy.
Guardian also revealed that 70% of life claims were paid using Payout Planner, its built in beneficiary nomination. By identifying beneficiaries in advance, Payout Planner helped families receive payments an average of 21 days faster.
2025 claims breakdown
| Claim type | Amount paid | % paid | Number of claims paid | Number of claims not paid |
| Children’s critical illness | £807,617 | 100% | 40 | 0 |
| Adult critical illness | £13,986,218 | 90% | 169 | 18 |
| Terminal illness | £7,660,194 | 92% | 35 | 3 |
| Life | £9,217,344 | 87% | 53 | 8 |
| Total | £31,671,373 | 91% | 297 | 29 |
Of the 29 claims Guardian were unable to pay in 2025, 24 weren’t paid 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 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.”
-Release ends-
Notes to editors:
Press enquiries to the lang cat:
Nicola Cannings, 0771 366 9899, [email protected]
Ruby Hinchcliffe, 07415034997, [email protected]
Guardian Financial Services is an appointed representative of Scottish Friendly Assurance Society Limited which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.
All products are provided by Scottish Friendly Assurance Society Limited and we have an agreement with them to underwrite and issue the protection policies we distribute through the UK intermediary channel.
As an appointed representative of Scottish Friendly Assurance Society Limited, Guardian Financial Services Limited is the market-facing brand under which we promote our proposition and engage with advisers.
Background to Guardian Financial Services, owned by Gryphon Group Holdings
Guardian, the life and protection insurance business, launched in 2018 and pledged to grow the protection market. The brand promise of ‘Life. Made Better.’ reflects the company’s commitment to rethink and reinvent protection for the better; making sure customers get cover that’s easier to understand, simple to buy and designed to never let them down.
Guardian’s business partners
Gryphon Group Holdings is majority owned by Punter Southall Group as the largest equity capital investor. Guardian partners with UnderwriteMe for its Underwriting Engine, Liss Systems, the UK arm of Nasdaq-listed EXL, for its policy administration technology, and Space, for its front-end technology, branding and marketing. Guardian’s reinsurance partners are Hannover Re, Gen Re and Swiss Re.