Do Single People Need Life Insurance in Ireland?

10-second summary: If you’re single with no kids, you might not need life insurance yet. But income protection is vital. Serious illness cover can protect your independence. And if you have debts, a mortgage, or elderly parents, some level of life cover can still make sense.

Your blogs are great! I’d love a round-up of why single people without kids should get various types of cover – we don’t have the safety net of a partner to potentially cover our bills, and in the event of death we wouldn’t want to lumber elderly parents with funeral costs.

Thanks to Carol for the nudge.

If you’re single and child-free, the insurance conversation is different.

No small humans depending on you.
No partner relying on your income.
No one is panicking about the mortgage if you’re not around.

So do you actually need life insurance?

Sometimes yes.
Sometimes absolutely not.

Let’s walk through it properly.

Income Protection for Single People

If you only read one section on this page, read this one.

Income protection replaces part of your salary if illness or injury stops you from doing your job long-term.

For single people, income is everything.

When you’re on your own financially, your income is your safety net.

There isn’t a second wage to soften the blow.

There isn’t someone else covering half the rent.

If you fall ill and can’t work, how long before savings start disappearing? How long before you’re struggling financially?

Income protection is even more important for renters than homeowners.

A bank might work with you.

A landlord usually won’t.

If you already have income protection through work, brilliant. Go check the details. If you don’t, this is where I’d start.

You can’t realistically save enough to replace years of lost income.

Even €50,000 disappears quickly if you’re spending €3,000 a month. It would last about 17 months. And most people don’t have €50k sitting idle anyway.

If you’re serious about protecting yourself, you can run your own figures using our income protection calculator.

Serious Illness Cover for Single People

Serious illness cover (also called critical illness or specified illness cover) pays a tax-free lump sum if you’re diagnosed with one of the conditions listed on the policy – cancer, heart attack, stroke and other major illnesses.

Income protection replaces income long-term. Serious illness gives you a one-off cash injection.

Why does that matter?

Because serious illness often brings costs that income protection doesn’t immediately solve.

The time off work before your income protection deferred period ends.

Going private.

Home modifications.

Imagine having a stroke and needing to adapt your house. The builders hand you a €30,000 bill. Where does that come from?

That’s where this type of cover earns its keep.

Years ago, I attended a Marie Keating Foundation presentation. They explained how their Comfort Fund – a relatively small one-off cancer support payment- was oversubscribed. They had to close applications because demand was so high.

That stuck with me.

Serious illness cover isn’t about fear.

It’s about giving yourself breathing space.

Multi-Claim and Cancer-Only Cover

Multi-Claim Protection Cover pays out based on severity and can pay more than once.

Cancer-only cover does what it says: it pays out if you’re diagnosed with cancer. It’s typically around 20% cheaper than full serious illness cover.

Why mention these?

Because some single people have underlying conditions, e.g. diabetes, previous cancer, heart issues, and may struggle to get full income protection or serious illness cover.

In those cases, alternatives can still provide meaningful protection.

Are they perfect? No.

Is partial protection better than none? Absolutely.

Do Single People Need Life Insurance?

Here’s the honest answer.

If nobody depends on you financially, you probably do not need life insurance right now.

Life insurance is designed to protect dependents like children, a partner, or anyone who would struggle financially if you died.

But there are situations where it still makes sense.

If you have:

• A mortgage
• Joint debts
• Loans with a guarantor
• Elderly parents who rely on you

Term life insurance can remove financial stress from your family.

Carol mentioned funeral costs. That’s a very real concern because funerals aren’t cheap, and the last thing most people want is to leave their parents with a bill.

Life cover in this scenario isn’t about leaving a windfall.

It’s about not leaving a mess.

Whole of Life Cover

Whole of Life pays out upon your death, provided premiums are maintained.

For single people, it’s usually used for:

• Funeral planning
• Leaving a gift
• Covering inheritance tax on a planned gift

This is more niche and generally part of estate planning rather than core protection in your 20s or 30s.

If you’re specifically looking at inheritance tax planning, Section 72 Whole of Life Assurance is the structured approach in Ireland.

Mortgage Protection

If you have a mortgage in Ireland, mortgage protection is normally mandatory.

If you don’t have a mortgage, you don’t need it.

Other Covers Worth Knowing About

Personal Accident Cover

Cheaper than income protection and pays a percentage of income if you can’t work due to an accident.

We compare it to income protection here.

Hospital or Surgical Cash Cover

Smaller add-ons that pay daily benefits during hospital stays or surgery.

Not life-changing money, but helpful.

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So What Should a Single Person Prioritise?

In most cases:

Income protection first.
Serious illness second.
Life insurance is only necessary if someone would suffer financially if you died, or if you plan to get a mortgage and want to lock in a lower premium based on your younger age and perfect health.

Being single doesn’t mean you need less protection.

It just means the protection should focus on your income, your independence, and your future plans.

If you’d like me to review your personal situation and make a proper recommendation, complete this financial questionnaire, and I’ll come back to you by email.

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Editor’s Note: Originally published in 2021. Fully refreshed in 2026 to reflect current Irish underwriting practice and product options.