What is a life cover gap?
Written by the SortMyCover editorial team. Updated 2 October 2026.
A life cover gap is the difference between what a family would need if a breadwinner died and what the cover would pay out. This page explains it in plain words.
Cover through work
Many employers give staff group life cover. It usually pays a set multiple of yearly salary. For most people that multiple is about two to four times salary.
Many people see that on a payslip and think the family is covered. Often that is only part of the story.
What a family may need to cover
A family usually has several big costs that do not stop when a person dies:
- The bond or rent on the home
- Everyday living costs, which the lost income used to pay
- School and university costs for children
- Other debts, such as vehicle finance
- Family members outside the home who also depend on the income
Add these up and the total is often bigger than the work cover. That difference is the gap.
Why the gap is easy to miss
Work cover is automatic, so people rarely look at it again. A bond can grow over time, a baby can arrive and a job can change. The cover stays the same, so the gap can quietly grow.
What to do with this
Knowing about the gap is the first step. A licensed adviser can look at one family's real numbers and explain the options. SortMyCover does not give advice itself. Read what happens on a booked 30-minute call or how to read the cover line on a payslip.
Common questions
Is work life cover enough?
It depends on the family. Work cover is often a few times yearly salary. Bonds, school costs and other debts can add up to more. Only a licensed adviser can say what suits one family.
Does having a gap mean something is wrong?
No. A gap is common and simply means the cover and the needs do not match yet. A licensed adviser can explain what the options are.
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