Scottish Widows paid out £219m in protection claims in 2025.
This was down from £236.6m in protection claims in 2024 and the £234m paid out in 2023.
Over the year Scottish Widows paid out more than 98% of protection claims for a sixth consecutive year.
The claims data for the year showed the insurer paid 99% of life insurance and 91.9% of critical illness (CI) claims last year, with £127m paid out for life in 2025 and £92m for CI.
This compares with 99.1% of life insurance and 91.8% of CI claims in 2024, with £141m paid out for life and £95m for CI claims.
People aged 40 and under accounted for £23m in claims paid, including £22m to those aged between 21 and 40. The youngest claimant was aged 27 for life cover and 23 for critical illness.
In 2025, £890,000 was paid in child CI claims.
Men face more heart attacks and strokes
Cancer continued as the most common cause of critical illness claims, accounting for 63% of cases, followed by heart attack (11%) and stroke (9%).
However, for women, cancer was behind 78% of critical illness claims, with 4.7% paid for stroke and 4.3% for heart attack.
Meanwhile only half of critical illness claims reported by men where for cancer (52.4%), with one in seven (15%) for heart attack and one in ten for stroke (9.9%).
The main causes of life claims also included cancer (30%), with heart attack accounting for one in five (16%) and respiratory (12%) claims.
Cancer was the main cause of death in a third (34.6%) of claims for women, respiratory issues were at almost 17% and heart at 10%.
However, 28.5% of male life insurance claims were for cancer, 20% for heart and 8% for accidents.
Almost half (46.4%) of critical Illness claims for cancer in 21-40 years olds were for either breast or testicular cancer.
‘Cancer leading cause of claims’
David Russell, claims strategy manager at Scottish Widows, said: “People rely on protection to be there when it matters most, often at some of life’s most difficult moments.
“Paying 99% of life and critical illness claims shows how seriously we take that responsibility, helping to ease financial pressure when families need clarity and support.
“Cancer continues to be the leading cause of claims, reflecting the reality that it touches so many lives, and our research with Macmillan shows the number of people living with cancer in the UK is expected to rise significantly by 2045.
“No two experiences are the same, but having protection in place can help remove money worries at an already difficult time and provide a vital financial safety net if the worst happens.
“We also know support goes beyond the financial, which is why we work with partners such as RedArc, Macmillan Cancer Support and Square Health to provide practical, emotional and medical support throughout the claims journey.”