Can I have too much cover?
All protection
The short answer
Yes. If your mortgage has reduced or your children are independent, you may be paying for more cover than you need. For income protection, insurers limit benefit relative to earnings, so excess cover may never be paid. Reviewing your cover can save money, but make sure any reduction leaves your family properly protected.
Reducing cover
Many insurers let you lower the sum assured, which reduces the premium.
Overlapping policies
If you have several policies, check whether they cover the same need.
Think ahead
Increasing cover again later may need new medical questions.
Sources
This article is general information about UK protection insurance, not personalised financial advice. Policy terms vary between insurers and products, so always check your own policy documents.
Last updated 27 October 2026