Updated September 28, 2026 · AssureCue Editorial Team
Guardian vs Guardian1821
Where Guardian and Guardian1821 differ
| Compare |  Guardian |  Guardian1821 |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance types | Dental, Life, Critical illness | Life, Critical illness, Income protection |
| Cover limit | USD 1,000 yearly max (Advantage Starter 2.0) | Income Protection: 65% of annual earnings up to GBP 60,000, 50% over 60,000 up to 100,000, 45% over 100,000 |
| Claims channels | In network dentist direct submission, Phone, Online form (Submit a Claim), Mobile app | Phone, Email |
| Age range | 18 and over | up to 70 |
| Premium from | $17 | Not confirmed |
| Monthly payments | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Excess from | $0 | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Provider type (Insurer).
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Key differences
- Guardian1821 scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 9.3.
- Founded is lower at Guardian1821: 1821 vs 1860.
- Insurance types: only Guardian offers Dental.
- Insurance types: only Guardian1821 offers Income protection.
- Claims channels: only Guardian offers In network dentist direct submission, Online form (Submit a Claim), Mobile app.
- Claims channels: only Guardian1821 offers Email.
- Support channels: only Guardian1821 offers Email.
Our verdict on each
Guardian
Guardian suits adults in the US who want dental, life and critical illness cover from an insurer running since 1860, with premiums starting at $17. The cost picture is mixed, because that entry figure sits above the €8.37 typical across the site.
Guardian1821
Guardian1821 is the insurer to shortlist if you want life, critical illness and income protection under one roof, with monthly premiums and cover open to ages up to 70. Premiums are quoted per policy rather than a flat brand rate, so the monthly figure on your own quote is the number that matters.
Score breakdown
| Area | Guardian | Guardian1821 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.1Premiums start at $17 with an excess starting at $0 and monthly payments available. | Not confirmed |
| Offer | 9.0Higher | 8.8 |
| Trust | 9.7 | 9.8Higher |
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | Guardian | Guardian1821 |
|---|---|---|
| Life insurance | 75 of 263 | 56 of 263 |
| Critical illness cover | 19 of 65 | 15 of 65 |
Side by side, item by item
| Insurance types | Guardian | Guardian1821 |
|---|---|---|
| Life | Yes | Yes |
| Dental | Yes | No |
| Critical illness | Yes | Yes |
| Income protection | No | Yes |
Availability and regulation
| Country | Guardian | Guardian1821 |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Not confirmed |
Additional countries for Guardian: 1. Additional countries for Guardian1821: 1.
Where these facts come from
Guardian
- guardianlife.com: 14 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Guardian1821
- guardian1821.co.uk: 10 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Guardian | Guardian1821 |
|---|---|---|
| Audience | Seniors | Not confirmed |
| Pricing model | Monthly | Monthly |
| Legal entity | The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America | Guardian Financial Services Limited |
| Headquarters | United States | United Kingdom |
| Founded | 1860 | 1821Lower |
| Support channels | Phone, Help centre | Phone, Email, Help centreCovers more |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Guardian | Guardian1821 | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premium from | $17above the median | Not confirmed | $16.09 |
| Excess from | $0below the median | Not confirmed | $100 |
Median across 61 listed insurance providers.
Pros and cons
Guardian
Pros
- Premiums start at $17 for dental plans aimed at adults
- The excess starts at $0, so nothing is deducted before a claim is paid
- Cover spans dental, life and critical illness from one insurer
Cons
- Monthly payments are the only payment model listed, so monthly leaves no annual option to compare
- Support runs on phone and help centre only, with no chat or email channel listed
- The dental entry price of $17 sits above the €8.37 across the site
Guardian1821
Pros
- A single insurer covers life, critical illness and income protection, so several kinds of protection can sit with the same company.
- Policies run on monthly premiums, and support runs on phone, email and help centre.
- Trading since 1821 in the United Kingdom, with authorisation from the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority under reference 110002.
Cons
- Support and claims run on phone, email and help centre only, with no live chat listed.
- The income protection payout is a share of annual earnings that steps down as earnings rise, so the cover limit is smallest for higher earners.
Who each suits
Guardian
Who it suits
- US adults shopping for dental cover alongside life and critical illness policies
- Seniors who prefer an in-network dentist to file claims directly
- People who want the policy premium split into monthly payments
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone outside the US, since the insurer is US based
- Readers who want a pure dental comparison shortlist, because Oney Préstamos ES and Linxea sit in other markets
- Anyone who needs a live chat or email route, since phone and help centre lists neither
Guardian1821
Who it suits
- People in GB who want life, critical illness and income protection from one regulated insurer.
- Buyers comfortable paying monthly premiums and starting claims on phone and email.
- People who want to begin cover later in life, since entry runs to ages up to 70.
Who should look elsewhere
- Linxea, if you only want life cover: its range is life, with no critical illness or income protection alongside it.
- Oney Préstamos ES, if you want health and gadget cover too, since its types are health, life and gadget.
- Good Sam Insurance Agency, if you want home, auto and pet lines in the same place, which sit outside life, critical illness and income protection.
Country by country
| Country | Guardian | Guardian1821 |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | No | Yes |
| United States | Yes | No |
Questions about each
Guardian
How much does dental cover cost at Guardian?+
Dental premiums start at $17. The typical entry price across the site is €8.37, with a lower quartile of €2.92 and an upper quartile of €29.72, so Guardian's starting figure sits above the middle of the market. The published number is a starting point rather than a quote for a particular person.
Is there an excess to pay on a Guardian dental claim?+
The excess starts at $0, which is the lowest point on the scale. At that level nothing is deducted from a claim before it is paid, so more of the benefit reaches you. Plans further up the range can carry a higher excess.
Guardian1821
How much do Guardian1821 policies cost?+
Guardian1821 sets the price per quote rather than publishing a single starting premium, and policies run on monthly premiums, so the figure you budget for is the monthly one on your own quote. For context, the medians listed on AssureCue are €7.95 for life insurance, €7 for income protection and €8.40 for critical illness cover.
Who regulates Guardian1821, and is the money protected?+
Guardian1821 is authorised in GB by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority under reference 110002. The policies are written by Guardian Financial Services Limited, and the brand is an insurer, so cover is underwritten by the company you apply to rather than arranged for you by a separate intermediary.