‘Squeezed middle’ falling into ‘protection gap’

People in their 30s and 40s are falling into the ‘protection gap,’ new research¹ suggests, but getting the right cover for your needs is achievable. 

Only 30% of those aged 30 to 34 and 34% of those aged 35 to 39 have enough life cover to protect their family, the figures show. People in these age ranges are often referred to as the ‘squeezed middle,’ due to the combination of paying for a mortgage, children and other dependants. 

Although the fact they face many other pressures can help explain why people in the ‘squeezed middle’ may be neglecting protection, these same factors also make the need for robust safety nets especially important. Alarmingly, the survey found that just 26% of couples with children have adequate cover. 

Likewise, only 36% of households with a mortgage have enough cover. The research also noted that, in many cases, it is not the mortgage itself that is not adequately insured; instead, many households seem to pay for life insurance to cover mortgage costs but then stop short of considering support for their children. 

When it comes to protection, it’s certainly true that it’s better to be safe than sorry. The ‘squeezed middle’ face many pressures and often end up making sacrifices, but having the peace of mind and financial security that protection offers should not be one of them. We can source suitable cover for your circumstances. 

¹HL, 2025 

The value of investments can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invested. The past is not a guide to future performance and past performance may not necessarily be repeated. Financial protection policies typically have no cash-in value at any time and cover will cease at the end of the term. If premiums stop, then cover will lapse. As a mortgage is secured against your home or property, it could be repossessed if you do not keep up mortgage repayments.