Life insurance claims figures, released by Legal & General, reveal some interesting facts about the average age of claimants and the cause of the claims.

The average age for claims on income protection policies (those policies that pay out when you are unable to work because of sickness or an accident) is 41. This would be at the most expensive time of life for claimants, with families and domestic liabilities. The most common reasons for claims are musculoskeletal (mostly back pain) and mental health.

Critical illness claims are paid out at an average age of 48, with the most common causes being heart-related or cancer. In 2018 L&G settled 93% of claims, paying an average of £63,477 per claim.

Cancer is by far the major cause of terminal illness claims – 93% of all claims with an average age of 55.

Life insurance – the cheapest insurance to buy – has the highest average age of claimant at 67.