What is mortgage protection?
When you're taking out your mortgage, your lender will usually request that you also take out a mortgage protection policy. But what is it? It's a cheaper form of life cover, designed to help pay your outstanding mortgage balance if the worst were to happen. So you know your family can keep the home they love.
Expert advice
Our financial advisers can help you get the right cover set up quickly and easily.
Easy paperwork
We complete all the paperwork with a signature free process.2
Aviva Care
You get access to services like Digital GP and Best Doctors plus more at no extra cost.
The difference between Life Insurance and Mortgage Protection
Siocha Costello, Protection Marketing Manager, Aviva Life & Pensions Limited explains the difference between Life Insurance and Mortgage Protection.
Transcript
00:00:00 Video starts
00:00:05 Siocha Costello, one minute pitch. The difference between Life Insurance and Mortgage Protection, your time starts now.
What is Life Insurance?
00:00:14 Siocha Costello, Protection Marketing Manager, Aviva Life & Pensions Limited
In a nutshell life insurance will pay your dependents a lump sum if you die.
00:00:20
What is Mortgage Protection?
00:00:22 Siocha Costello
Mortgage protection pays out the outstanding balance of your mortgage if you die.
00:00:25
So, what is the main difference between the two?
00:00:27 Siocha Costello
The money from you mortgage protection goes to your lender to pay off your mortgage so your family home is secure. Life insurance gives your family money for all their other expenses, childcare costs, electricity costs and loans.
00:00:41
Why would you need both?
00:00:42 Siocha Costello
If you are taking out a mortgage you are required to have mortgage protection in place, having both means having all your family financial outgoings are taking care off.
00:00:52
When is a good time to get cover?
00:00:54 Siocha Costello
Insurance costs are generally based on several factors. One of those is age so the younger you are generally the cheaper it is.
00:01:03
What do you think is the best thing about these products?
00:01:06 Siocha Costello
I think the peace of mind that comes will knowing that your family is financially secure if anything happened to you.
00:01:12
Siocha your time is up.
To find out more about Life Insurance and Mortgage Protection talk to your Financial Broker.
00:01:23 Video ends
Policy features
Your home is probably the largest purchase you'll make and we strive to make mortgage protection hassle-free.
- Guidance from a professional financial adviser to help you get cover suited to your needs.
- You can get a quick quote online today or call us on 1800 555 255
Security
- Free accidental death cover while your application is considered, at no extra cost.3

Aviva Care
With your protection policy you have access to the following services through our Aviva Care benefit:
- Digital GP
- Best Doctors Second Medical Opinion
- Family Care Mental Health Support
- Bereavement Support
Additional cover
You can get even more peace of mind by adding specified illness cover to your mortgage protection policy. This means that if you are diagnosed and proven to have a specified illness or if you die, your benefit will be paid. About specified illness cover.
Get a mortgage protection quote
With insurance from as little as €101 per month, you can get a mortgage protection insurance quote in minutes with our online form.

Manage your policies online
Avail of 24/7 access to view and manage your protection policy information.

Aviva Online Service Centre
- View your policies
- Update your details
- Change bank details
- Submit a query
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Income protection
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Specified Illness Cover
A helping hand for you and your family when you need it the most.
Mortgage protection articles
Take a look at our library of helpful articles and news.

18 Apr 2023
Aviva pays out over €118.6 million in protection claims in 2022
Aviva Life & Pensions Ireland (Aviva), reported that the company paid out €118.6 million in claims to customers with protection policies in 2022.

8 Mar 2023
How can you protect your family finances from illness and injury?
How you can protect your family finances from illness and injury, we have some valuable insights on what you need to do.

6 Mar 2023
How a Financial Broker can help protect you and your family
Financial Brokers can help you prioritise your financial needs, such as saving for retirement, investing for your children or planning your estate.

22 Apr 2021
Aviva Life Claims increase by 9% to €109 million in 2020
Aviva Life & Pensions Ireland DAC (Aviva), one of Ireland’s leading insurers, today reported that the company paid out almost €109 million to customers with protection policies in 2020.

16 Apr 2021
What do I need for a mortgage application?
Whether you’re a first-time buyer, purchasing your second home or re-mortgaging, find the list of documents you need to apply.

2 Dec 2020
Reasons to buy life insurance in your 20s and 30s
Getting financially stable as a young adult may be the last thing on your mind. Did you know life insurance could be less expensive in your 20s / 30s?

7 Sep 2020
What to do after a death checklist
The loss of a loved one can be a very difficult time. With this handy checklist find out the steps to take immediately following a death and the weeks subsequent.

29 Jul 2020
Do I need life insurance if I’m retired or an empty nester?
Even after you retire or your children are now financially independent, keeping your life insurance is still a good idea and here are the reasons why.

29 Jul 2020
Mortgage Protection Checklist
Are you thinking about, or in the process of buying mortgage protection insurance? If so, check out our handy checklist to make the process as simple as possible.

16 Jun 2020
How much life insurance do you need?
The amount of life insurance you need depends on your personal circumstances. Here are some things to consider before talking to a financial adviser.

16 Jun 2020
What are the benefits of mortgage protection?
Want to learn more about mortgage protection – how it’s used and the benefits?

7 Apr 2020
Financial scam phone calls and emails

16 Mar 2020
COVID-19 and Aviva Life & Pension Ireland
To reassure you, no new COVID-19 restrictions have been applied to our protection policies and currently there are no plans to amend our acceptance criteria.

26 Nov 2019
What is a Life Insurance Lump sum?
There is great peace of mind in knowing whatever may happen to you, your children will be taken care of. Life Insurance pays out a lump sum.

16 Oct 2019
Mortgage Protection Jargon Explained
Buying your first home can be an exciting but confusing time. Read on for all mortgage protection jargon explained.

6 Sep 2019
What is Best Doctors® Second Medical Opinion service?
With Best Doctors® you receive a second medical opinion, so you can feel assured and fully informed about your condition and what it means for you and your family.
Contact us
Existing Customers
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 9:00a.m. - 4:00p.m.
Wednesday 10:00a.m. - 4:00p.m.
Saturday - Sunday Closed
Bank Holidays Closed
Email: csc@aviva.com
For a new quote
Monday to Friday: 9:00a.m. - 5:00p.m.
Saturday - Sunday Closed
Bank Holidays Closed
1. Acceptance criteria, terms and conditions apply. These monthly premiums are based on single life cover of €170,000 for a person aged 31 next birthday and a non-smoker, over a 25 year term, total amount €10.03. Source: Aviva Life & Pensions Ireland DAC as at July 2020.
2. This is available for policies up to a maximum sum assured of €1,000,000. Where applicable, any additional forms required for medical evidence will require a signature. Aviva reserve the right to request a signed application at any stage prior to policy issue.
3. This cover kicks in from the moment you send us a fully completed and signed application form and direct debit mandate. You get cover for accidental death up until we accept or decline your application. We will pay out the lower of the life cover amount being applied for and €150,000. We will only pay once under this benefit in respect of any life insured regardless of the number of life cover policies or applications for life cover a person has with Aviva.
Aviva Life & Pensions Ireland does not guarantee the on-going availability of the Best Doctors - Second Medical Opinion benefit to its policyholders or the Aviva Family Care Benefit (Mental Health Support) and may, at its sole discretion, withdraw access to the service at a month’s notice. If we withdraw it, we’ll write to notify policyholders at least 30 days in advance of its removal.
Teladoc Health (who provide the Best Doctors and Aviva Family Care Benefit) is not a regulated financial service.
Aviva Direct Ireland Limited is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. A private company limited by shares. Registered in Ireland No 374895. Registered Office: Cherrywood Business Park, Dublin, Ireland, D18 W2P5.
Life and Protection Cover is underwritten by Aviva Life & Pensions Ireland DAC.
Aviva Life & Pensions Ireland Designated Activity Company, a private company limited by shares. Registered in Ireland No. 165970. Registered office at Building 12, Cherrywood Business Park, Loughlinstown, Co. Dublin, D18 W2P5. Aviva Life & Pensions Ireland Designated Activity Company, trading as Aviva Life & Pensions Ireland and Friends First, is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Tel (01) 898 7950.