Critical Illness Cover Financial Support If Serious Illness Strikes
Critical illness cover can pay a lump sum if you're diagnosed with a serious illness covered by your policy, giving you financial breathing space while you focus on recovery.
WHY CRITICAL ILLNESS COVER MATTERS
Help Protect Your Finances While You Recover
A serious illness can affect your ability to work and your household finances. Critical illness cover can help ease the financial pressure.
Replace Lost Earnings
Use the lump sum to help cover living costs if you need time away from work.
Keep Up With Your Mortgage
The payout can help with mortgage payments or other household bills while you recover.
Focus on Recovery
The payout can support you during treatment and help with expenses while you may be unable to work.
Support Your Family
Help reduce the financial pressure on the people who depend on you.
UNDERSTANDING COVER
Know What Your Policy Is Designed To Do
Critical illness policies differ, so it's important to understand what yours covers.
Lump Sum on Diagnosis
If you're diagnosed with a condition your policy covers and meet its definition, a lump sum may be paid, subject to the policy terms.
Covered Conditions
Policies list the illnesses they cover. Cancer, heart attack and stroke are commonly included, but the full list varies.
Medical Definitions
Each condition has a definition that must be met for a claim to be paid, so check the definitions as well as the list.
Level or Decreasing Cover
Level cover pays the same amount throughout the term. Decreasing cover reduces over time, roughly in line with a repayment mortgage.
Combined With Life Insurance
Some policies combine life and critical illness cover and pay out once, on whichever claim is made first.
Optional Extras
Some policies offer extras such as children's cover, or waiver of premium, which can pay your premiums if illness stops you working.
YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES
Your Premium Is Based On Your Circumstances
Insurers consider several factors when deciding the cost and availability of critical illness cover.
Age
Premiums are usually higher the older you are when you take out cover.
Health
Your medical history, height and weight may be assessed during the application.
Lifestyle
Smoking and other lifestyle factors can affect your premiums.
Cover Amount
The amount of cover you choose affects the cost.
Type of Cover
The type of cover you choose, such as level or decreasing, affects the cost.
Occupation
Your occupation may be considered during underwriting.
How It Works
Simple Advice. Complete Protection.
Our advisers guide you through every step to ensure you receive suitable cover.
Free Consultation
A no-obligation call with your dedicated specialist adviser to understand your situation and goals.
Understand Your Needs
We take the time to evaluate your unique lifestyle, long-term goals, and budget.
Compare Options
We compare suitable options from the insurers we work with and explain the differences.
Choose Your Cover
Select the exact policy level you feel confident with, guided by clear advice.
You're Protected
Once you're happy, we help you put your cover in place, and we're here if your needs change.
WHY CLIENTS TRUST US
Protection Designed Around Your Lifestyle
Helping individuals, families and businesses protect what matters most.
Financial Security
Safeguard your hard-earned assets against unexpected life events.
Family Protection
Help your loved ones cope financially if the worst happens.
Income Replacement
Keep money coming in if illness or injury prevents you from working.
Property Security
Shield your home and personal valuables from unexpected damage or loss.
Business Continuity
Protect your company's revenue, key employees, and future operations.
Peace Of Mind
Your adviser can help you understand your options at every step.
Clear Advice
We explain what each policy covers, and what it doesn't, before you decide.
Regular Reviews
Your needs change over time, so it's worth reviewing your cover after big life events.
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FAQ
Common Questions
Everything you need to know about critical illness cover
What is critical illness cover? 
Critical illness cover can pay a lump sum if you're diagnosed with a serious illness your policy covers and you meet its definition, subject to the policy terms. The payout can help with expenses while you focus on your recovery.
Which illnesses are covered?
It depends on the policy. Cancer, heart attack and stroke are commonly included, but the list of conditions and their definitions vary between insurers, so it's worth comparing them. Some policies also include additional cover for certain less severe conditions.
How is it different from income protection?
Critical illness cover pays a one-off lump sum when you're diagnosed with a covered condition. Income protection pays a regular income if illness or injury stops you working. Some people have both.
Can I combine it with life insurance?
Yes. Some policies combine life and critical illness cover, paying out once on whichever claim is made first. You can also take critical illness cover as a separate policy.
What could stop a claim being paid?
A claim may not be paid if your illness doesn't meet the policy's definition, or if relevant medical history wasn't disclosed when you applied. Answer health questions fully and honestly.