If I have a will, do I still need a trust for life insurance?
Life insurance
The short answer
Possibly. A will deals with your estate. A life policy in trust usually sits outside your estate, so the payout can reach your beneficiaries without waiting for probate and may be treated differently for inheritance tax. Having both is common, and they do different jobs.
Speed of payment
Money paid to an estate can be delayed until probate is granted, which can take months.
Control
A trust lets you decide who benefits from the policy, separately from the rest of your estate.
Keep them consistent
Make sure your will and trust reflect the same wishes.
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