Zestylife Alternatives: What to Do if You Can't Buy a Policy

No. Zestylife is closed to new business and no longer accepts applications for its over-50 life insurance.

Existing policies remain in place as long as the required premiums are paid. They have not automatically been cancelled. 

Zestylife currently directs prospective customers to Cover Today, which offers over-50 life insurance with no waiting period, subject to its terms. However, there are other options available.

What Type of Policy Did Zestylife Offer?

Zestylife offered an over-50s whole-of-life policy that paid a cash lump sum on death. Applicants answered health and lifestyle questions, but no medical examination or blood test was required.

If accepted, cover started straight away, subject to first-year payout limits. Customers could choose level or increasing cover, with premiums generally payable until the policy anniversary after age 95.

The policy had no cash-in value, so there was no lump sum to withdraw if it was cancelled.

Already have a Zestylife policy?

If You Planned to Apply to Zestylife: What to Do Next

1. Decide how much you want to leave and why. Consider whether it is for funeral costs, bills or a gift.

2. Determine whether immediate cover or guaranteed acceptance matters more. Answering health questions may give you access to immediate or differently priced cover. Guaranteed-acceptance plans normally include a waiting period.

3. Compare the full terms. Check the potential total cost, payout, waiting period and when premiums end.

The cheapest monthly premium does not necessarily provide the best payout or long-term value.

Types of Zestylife Alternatives

Alternative	Application requirements	When full cover starts	Main consideration
Cover Today	Health and eligibility questions	From acceptance, subject to terms	Closest current option for people prioritising no waiting period
Guaranteed-acceptance over-50 plan	Usually no medical or health questions	Commonly after 12–24 months	Easier acceptance but an initial waiting period applies
Medically underwritten life insurance	Health questions and potentially medical evidence	Depends on the policy	May provide more cover but acceptance is not guaranteed
Savings	No insurance application	Money builds gradually	The available amount depends on how much has been saved
Prepaid funeral plan	Eligibility and payment terms vary	Funeral services covered according to the plan	Covers specified services rather than providing a general cash payout

Can you still get over-50 life insurance with no waiting period?

Yes, life insurance with no waiting period may still be available, but acceptance can depend on health and eligibility questions. 

Guaranteed-acceptance plans generally do not ask health questions but normally delay full cover for natural death. Accidental-death cover may still apply, depending on the provider, but this is not the same as full cover for death from any cause. 

Check first-year payout limits and exclusions carefully rather than relying on the phrase “immediate cover” alone. 

What to Look for When Comparing Alternatives

Before choosing an alternative, use the following checklist to compare the key features:

• Eligibility and joining age

• Health or lifestyle questions

• Waiting period for natural death

• Accidental-death cover

• Monthly premium

• Payout amount

• Whether premiums and cover are fixed or increasing

• When premium payments stop

• What happens if payments are missed

• Whether total premiums could exceed the payout

• Whether the policy has any cash-in value

• Whether the payout is intended only to contribute towards funeral costs

Do not let welcome gifts and optional extras outweigh core terms such as eligibility, payout rules, waiting periods and long-term cost.

Summary

Zestylife is no longer open to new applicants, but many people still search for its products. If you were planning to apply, you would need to compare active over-50s insurers instead.

Over-50s life insurance remains widely available from long-established providers, including guaranteed-acceptance plans from brands such as SunLife. The right alternative depends on your budget, your health, and the level of cover you need.

By understanding what Zestylife offered, and what matters most to you, you can choose an alternative that provides clarity, stability and the cover you are looking for.