As we move towards the end of the year and start thinking about fresh starts, new goals and 2026 planning, it’s a perfect moment to reflect on something that often gets overlooked, protecting the people we love.

The newest Protection Pulse report paints a surprising picture of just how many people across the UK are still financially vulnerable. And honestly, the numbers shocked me.

But the good news?

The New Year is the perfect time to put things right.

So today, I want to talk about what’s really going on — and how you can take simple steps in 2026 to create lasting peace of mind for you and your family.

The UK Is Under-Protected — Much More Than People Realise

Let’s start with the basics.

According to the November report:

  • Over half of UK adults have no protection in place
  • Only 6% of adults have life insurance — down 2% in just four years
  • Just 13% have any critical illness cover
  • Only 28% have income protection
  • And 54% of UK adults have no cover whatsoever

These stats aren’t from years ago. They’re current. And they show a pattern that worries me every day as an adviser…

Most people are relying entirely on their health and income staying stable, even though life doesn’t always work like that.

Emotional Pressures Are Driving Financial Decisions

One of the most striking findings in the report is how people are feeling during the current economic climate:

  • 78% say the economy has emotionally impacted their financial decisions
  • Over half describe this impact as “big”
  • Millennials and Gen Z are feeling it the most (82%–85%)
  • Renters feel more financially pressured than mortgage holders
  • Parents are hit hardest of all, with 63% reporting a “big impact”

When people feel stretched, protection often slips down the priority list, but ironically, that’s when it becomes most important.

Cost Is the Biggest Misunderstanding

And this part really blew me away…

Legal & General research shows that many UK adults believe life insurance costs nearly £80 a month, when the real average is closer to £28. That’s an overestimation of 184% .

So people aren’t avoiding protection because they don’t value it.
They’re avoiding it because they assume it’s too expensive.

But when I sit down with clients, the reaction is often:

“Oh… that’s actually really affordable!”

This tells me the protection gap exists not because people don’t care, but because they’ve been misinformed.

So, What Can You Do Differently in 2026?

Here are the steps I’ll be encouraging all my clients to think about as we move into the New Year:

1. Protect the mortgage first

Your home is your biggest commitment.
If something happened to you, would the people you love be able to stay there?

Life insurance is usually the simplest, most affordable solution, and often the most important.

2. Learn the difference between Life Cover, Critical Illness & Income Protection

They each do very different jobs:

  • Life Cover pays out if you die
  • Critical Illness Cover pays out if you’re diagnosed with a serious illness
  • Income Protection replaces your income if you can’t work

Think of them as layers of security, not alternatives to each other.

3. Ignore the myths about cost

We can tailor cover to almost any budget.
A cup of coffee a week can often fund the basics.

4. Review any work benefits — don’t assume they’re enough

Many employer policies:

  • Last a short time
  • Don’t match your mortgage
  • Don’t protect your partner or children
  • Only cover a fraction of your income

A quick review can save you from nasty surprises later.

5. Keep it simple: start with what matters most

You don’t need to do everything at once.

Start with:

  • Keeping a roof over your head
  • Making sure your loved ones can stay in the family home
  • Protecting your income

The rest can build over time.

Why I’m So Passionate About This

I’ve worked with families for years, and I’ve seen both sides:

The relief when a policy pays out and keeps a family in their home.
And the heartbreak when someone had no cover and things became financially overwhelming.

The difference is enormous — emotionally and financially.

My job isn’t to push a policy.
It’s to help you plan a future that feels safe, secure and confident.

And what better time to do that than at the start of a new year?

If you’d like to begin 2026 with more peace of mind, I’m here to help.

You can book a friendly chat with me here:
👉 https://calendly.com/katie-blackledgemortgages

Let’s make 2026 the year you feel fully protected — no stress, no worry, just clarity.