Getting old, gaining weight and falling out of love are some of the realities of life we most dread - so much so that if we had the chance we would take out insurance to protect ourselves against them. New research from Abbey1 reveals that more than nine million UK adults2 would buy relationship insurance that would pay out for choosing the wrong partner or spouse. Women are more likely to opt for this than men, with more than a fifth saying they’d welcome financial protection for their love lives.

More than a quarter of people (28%) would buy insurance if they could to compensate them for getting old. Women (one in five) would be twice as likely as men (one in ten) to buy insurance that pays out if they pile on the pounds.

Surprisingly for a nation preoccupied by weather, only 15% of us would buy an insurance policy that pays out if it turns bad, while only 6% of men would insure against losing their hair.

Although Brits are happy to sign up to fantasy insurance policies, in reality many do not even cover the basics. According to Abbey’s research, seven million adults admit that they don’t have any insurance at all. And, while house and car insurance are the most popular policies to have, a worryingly high 22% of people have no home contents insurance and three out of ten drivers claim to have no car insurance.

Abbey’s research also reveals that people take an even more risky approach when it comes to protecting themselves and their families. Half of people have no life insurance and only one in five have protection in case they cannot work because of a critical illness. The figures are all the more worrying given that half of UK adults say they could not afford to maintain their current lifestyle beyond one or two months if their work circumstances were to change.

Sue Wilkinson, Head of Health and Protection Insurance, Abbey said: “Our research provides a light-hearted insight into the national psyche and it’s not surprising that so many people said they worry about gaining weight or getting old. But on a more serious note, too many people are taking chances when it comes to the things we care most about in life such as the family, health, home and car. Arranging the right insurance needn’t be a hassle and could end up making all the difference during difficult times.”

Abbey’s research also reveals that where you live can influence what you worry most about:
- Londoners are most likely to worry about transport delays, with one in five (17%) saying they’d be keen to insure against them
- People in the Midlands are more concerned about the weather than the rest of the nation
- People in East Anglia are the least hopeful when it comes to love, with more than a quarter in favour of relationship insurance.
- On the other hand, the Welsh are the most optimistic when it comes to romance, with only 16% would be willing to take out love insurance, closely followed by the Scots (17%).
- People in Yorkshire appear to be the vainest. One in twelve would consider insuring their favourite body part.

Age also plays a factor in determining what you worry about the most, with 16 –24 year olds being the most body conscious. A quarter would buy insurance to compensate them if they put on weight and one in ten would like to insure their favourite body part.