---
title: LifeSearch reveals shortlist for its 2026 protection awards
description: LifeSearch reveals shortlist for its 2026 protection awards
---

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# [LifeSearch reveals shortlist for its 2026 protection awards](https://partners.lifesearch.com/insights/lifesearch-reveals-shortlist-for-its-2026-protection-awards)

 Written by [LifeSearch](https://partners.lifesearch.com/insights/author/lifesearch) | Apr 2, 2026 5:00:00 AM

LifeSearch, the UK’s leading protection specialist, has today announced the shortlists for the LifeSearch Awards 2026, recognising excellence, progress and collaboration across the protection market.

The awards celebrate insurers, partners and individuals who are delivering better customer outcomes, improving access to protection and strengthening the industry’s response to consumer need.

Sponsored by Iress, this year’s awards will take place on 15 April at the Underglobe, London with a refreshed conference‑style programme. The agenda centres on ‘Protecting People Properly with Human Intelligence’, exploring how digital capability and human expertise work together to improve access, experience and outcomes in protection - and the shared challenge of closing the UK protection gap.

For 2026, LifeSearch has streamlined the awards’ framework, combining improvements to products and processes within its core product categories. This approach reflects a growing focus on end‑to‑end customer experience, delivery and outcomes, rather than isolated innovation.

**Debbie Kennedy, Chief Executive Officer at LifeSearch, said:*** “At a time when the FCA is rightly challenging our industry to do more to close the protection gap, these awards shine a light on the organisations and individuals who are making a real difference.*

*“Throughout 2025, we saw meaningful progress across underwriting, claims, accessibility and customer support, alongside stronger collaboration between insurers, partners and distributors. *

*“At LifeSearch, our own focus remains on combining digital progress with human judgement and empathy, so that protection becomes easier to understand, easier to access and more relevant to people’s lives. We are proud to recognise those who share that ambition and who continue to raise standards across the market. Congratulations to everyone shortlisted. We look forward to celebrating these achievements when we announce the winners at the awards ceremony.”*

The awards are structured across two categories: Heritage Awards, which recognise sustained excellence and best practice among insurers; and Horizon Awards, which spotlight forward-looking innovation, technology and broader efforts to close the UK protection gap. The winners of the LifeSearch Awards 2026 will be revealed on 15 April.

**LifeSearch Awards 2026 Shortlists**

**Heritage Awards:**

**Best Income Protection Provider**

Cirencester Friendly  
LV=  
Scottish Widows  
The Exeter

**Best Critical Illness Cover Provider**

Guardian  
HSBC Life  
Legal & General  
Royal London

**Best Life Assurance Provider**

Guardian  
Legal & General  
Scottish Widows  
Vitality  
Zurich

**Best Private Health Insurance Provider**

Aviva  
AXA  
Bupa  
The Exeter  
Vitality  
WPA

**Best Specialist Product Provider**

Guardian  
Legal & General  
National Friendly  
Royal London  
The Exeter

**Best Claims Partnership**

Aviva  
Royal London  
Scottish Widows  
The Exeter

**Outstanding Insurer Online**

Legal & General  
One Family  
Royal London

**Outstanding Insurer Offline**

Guardian  
HSBC Life  
LV=  
Royal London  
Scottish Widows

**Horizon Awards**

**Best Use of Data and Tech to Refresh Protection**

4C  
CIExpert  
Scottish Widows  
Vitality

**Best Supporter in Powering LifeSearch to Break Barriers**

BrightEdge  
Publicis Sapient  
TalkDesk  
Yavia

**Closing the Protection Gap**

Financielle  
Paradigm Norton  
Scottish Widows/Lloyds Banking Group  
Which?  
Yorkshire Building Society

**Leading Light – Protecting People Properly**

Vicky Churcher and Jo Miller, Income Protection Task Force  
Greg Levine, Vitality  
Rose St Louis, Scottish Widows and Lloyds Banking Group  
Louise Colley, Zurich

**About LifeSearch**

LifeSearch is a leading provider of tailored life insurance solutions, driven by a clear purpose: to protect people properly. With over 25 years of experience, LifeSearch partners with reputable financial institutions and consumer champions to deliver accessible, affordable, and relevant protection across the UK.

Dedicated to ensuring financial security for all, LifeSearch offers the right protection when it matters most, regardless of life stage or circumstance. Having helped over a million individuals, families, and businesses secure 1.7 million policies, its commitment to exceptional service is reflected in an ‘Excellent’ Trustpilot score – highlighting the trust and satisfaction of its customers.

 

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