I have a policy (25 yrs term) which matures in 2017. I have a surrender value of £11,000. can i get more selling it?

you could get more selling it shevam as the surrender value is usually lower, but if it is a with-profits endowment policy then you may be entitled to a terminal/final bonus on maturity which may be a large percentage of the bonuses you have earnt so far. Also, you may make the policy "paid up" which means that you stop the premiums you are paying but don't receive the proceeds until its normal maturity date.

See an independent financial adviser for this. Do your homework first so that you have a rough idea of what to expect. See sites like these:- http://www.sellingmyendowment.co.uk/
and
http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/search.html?searchPhrase=surrender+value&channelshortname=money&searchWhere=article

The answer to your question is yes, you probably can, providing the policy is 'with profits' and fits the other criteria of the buying company which your policy appears to.

Whether you should surrender or not is, I suggest, all down to the urgency of the need for the funds and how they can be usefully spent at this moment in time versus actually enjoying the money in 2017. You will also have to factor in the performance of the company and the likely bonus additions, including the terminal bonus, by 2017. There is also the loss of life cover to consider.

When I worked as a financial consultant, it was a professional sin to recommend surrender of any policy if the surrender value did not reflect the eventual return at maturity. I have two with profit endowments coming out next year and they will of course run to maturity, especially as they both still enjoy Life Assurance Premium Relief which yours won't due to their age.

My advice to you is to obtain a 'sale quote' ( the headline rates suggest up to + 42% so I would love to know how that pans out ) and then review the matter as to how useful the money is now as opposed to in five years time. My other comment is that if you are approaching retirement around 2017, you should give serious consideration to retaining the endowment as dedicated savings as financial futures can be so uncertain right now. Also remember that the only reason that an endowment trader company will buy an endowment is to make a profit from your own personal loss, so again it's all down to the urgency for the need for immediate cash, although you will of course save five years worth of premiums.