Critical Illness Cover

With 1 in 2 people now being diagnosed with cancer,

It's increasingly a matter of when, rather than if.

Support when facing a serious illness

If you’re diagnosed with a specified serious condition, Critical Illness Cover provides a tax-free lump sum - so you can focus on recovery, not money.

Key benefits:

  • Helps protect your lifestyle and monthly bills

  • Supports time off work and recovery costs

  • Can help with childcare and family commitments

  • Gives you options if you need private treatment or home adaptations

What is Critical Illness Cover?

Critical Illness Cover (CIC) pays a one-off, tax-free lump sum if you’re diagnosed with one of the specified illnesses or conditions listed in your policy during the term.

What it can help with:

  • Mortgage or rent payments

  • Household bills and childcare

  • Time off work and recovery costs

  • Private treatment or home adaptation

Optional extras may include:

  • Children’s critical illness cover

  • Waiver of premium (premiums paused if you can’t work)

  • Additional payouts for less severe conditions (insurer dependent)

Why buy Critical Illness Cover?

Because the NHS treats the illness, but it does not cover the financial impact. A lump sum gives you options, time, and breathing space when life is turned upside down.

If you’re diagnosed with a specified serious condition, Critical Illness Cover provides a tax-free lump sum so you can focus on recovery, not money. It can help protect your lifestyle and monthly bills, support time off work and recovery costs, and ease pressure on childcare and family commitments. It can also give you options if you need private treatment or home adaptations.

Who is it designed for?

Critical Illness Cover is for anyone who would struggle financially if a serious illness stopped them working, especially parents and carers, homeowners with a mortgage, main earners, and the self-employed. It provides a tax-free lump sum to help cover bills and protect your family’s lifestyle while you focus on recovery.

What illnesses are covered?

Critical Illness Cover pays a one-off lump sum if you’re diagnosed with a condition listed in your policy. Cover varies by insurer, with some policies covering 70 to 100+ conditions and some offering partial payouts for less severe cases. Common examples include cancer, heart attack, stroke, multiple sclerosis, major organ transplant, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, kidney failure, paralysis and brain tumour.

How much does Critical Illness Cover cost?

It varies based on the cover you choose (sum assured, term, level vs increasing/decreasing cover, and any extras like waiver of premium) and your personal details (age, smoker status, BMI, medical and family history, and occupation). Some conditions may increase the price or be excluded as pre-existing.

Children Critical Illness Cover

No one ever wants to imagine their child becoming critically ill or suffering a serious accident, but unfortunately, it can happen.

Many insurance providers offer Children's Critical Illness Cover as part of their standard policy or as an optional add-on to adult Life or Critical Illness products. This cover provides financial support during an incredibly challenging time, helping to ease the financial burden. While it can never take away the emotional pain, it allows parents to focus on what matters most—spending valuable time caring for their child.