Many Africans who move to the United Kingdom have been living and working in other countries before arriving — South Africa, the Gulf states, other African countries, or elsewhere in Europe. Some arrive in the UK already holding a Mutual Life Africa policy taken out in a previous location.
Others arrive and want to switch their existing policy from a USD or EUR denomination to GBP now that they are earning in British Pounds. And a significant number arrive in the UK, start earning a UK salary, and take out a new policy from scratch.
Whatever your situation, this guide explains what needs to be updated — and what does not — when you establish yourself in the UK.
What Changes When You Move to the UK
Your income currency changes to GBP. This may make a GBP-denominated policy more practical than your previous USD or EUR policy — premiums come from your GBP earnings without currency conversion costs or exchange rate risk.
Your contact details change. Your UK address, UK phone number, and potentially your email address all need updating in your Mutual Life Africa account.
Your payment method changes. If you were paying via a non-UK PayPal account or a bank card from your previous location, you will need to update your payment method to a UK-based card or UK PayPal account.
What Does Not Need to Change
Your covered family members do not need to change unless their circumstances have changed. Parents in Nigeria, siblings in Ghana, and a spouse’s family in South Africa remain covered under your existing policy regardless of where you as the policyholder are now living.
Your payout structure does not change because you have moved. The beneficiary named on your policy will still receive the payout to their African mobile money or bank account regardless of which country you are calling from when you make a claim.
Switching from USD or EUR to GBP
If you had a USD or EUR policy before moving to the UK and want to switch to a GBP-denominated policy now that you are earning in GBP, the process involves applying for a new GBP Diaspora Plan. Contact info@mutuallife.africa to discuss the transition, including how to avoid a gap in coverage during the switch.
Taking Out a New Policy From the UK
If you are new to Mutual Life Africa and have recently moved to the UK, applying for a GBP policy is straightforward. Visit mutuallife.africa, select GBP as your currency, choose your plan, add your family members in Africa, and complete payment via PayPal with a UK card.
The GBP Diaspora Plans available to UK residents:
Single Plan: GBP 24.99 per month, up to 8 members in one country, GBP 7,500 payout.
Extended Plan: GBP 49.99 per month, up to 10 members across multiple countries, GBP 15,000 payout.
Max Plan: GBP 99 per month, up to 15 members across multiple countries, GBP 20,000 payout.
How to Update Your Details
Update your contact details and payment method through the Mutual Life Africa app under Account Settings. For policy currency changes or structural updates, contact info@mutuallife.africa with your policy number and the changes you need to make.
Apply at mutuallife.africa if you are starting fresh from the UK. Your family in Africa is covered from the moment your first premium is paid.
For South Africans returning to South Africa after years in the UK, the combination of a GBP funeral cover policy for family members remaining abroad and a Rand Life Cover policy for the South African financial milestones creates a complete transition architecture. The GBP policy covers any family still in the UK or Europe. The Rand Life Cover builds ZAR-denominated cash value aligned with South African re-establishment timelines. Contact info@mutuallife.africa to discuss structuring both for your specific return plan. Apply at mutuallife.africa.