If you or a family member get seriously ill, it can be hard to pay for treatment. Critical illness cover can help with these costs. Our guide explains more about how this works. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

Critical illness can create serious financial pressure for individuals and their families, emphasising the need for critical illness cover. Understanding the different types of cover, benefits, and costs is essential when deciding whether it is necessary.
This article explains the basics of critical illness cover and outlines the key steps to ensure you have the right protection. It explores the available cover options and provides guidance on selecting a policy that meets your needs. To safeguard your family, it is important to understand critical illness cover and how it may support you.
What is Critical Illness Cover?
Critical illness cover is a kind of insurance that gives a lump sum amount of money if you get very sick with certain types of diseases.
This helps you pay for your medical bills and other expenses related to being sick for a long time.
If you are not able to work because of your sickness, this money can help you keep a good life while you are getting treated.
Benefits of Critical Illness Cover
Critical illness cover is an insurance policy that pays a tax-free lump sum if you are diagnosed with a critical illness during the policy term. This type of cover provides financial security by helping with medical costs or loss of income due to illness.
Some key benefits of critical illness cover include:
Peace of mind
Knowing you and your loved ones have financial protection during a serious illness can bring reassurance.
Flexibility
The lump sum can be used for any purpose, including medical treatments or necessary lifestyle adjustments.
Extra protection
Critical illness cover can be added to an existing life insurance policy, offering wider financial security.
Critical illness cover is a valuable option for those seeking financial stability during unexpected health challenges.
Different Types of Critical Illness Cover
Different types of insurance cover you if you get very sick.
There are four types:
- Life insurance critical illness cover that combines two types of insurance;
- Standalone critical illness cover that only covers critical illnesses;
- Decreasing critical illness cover where the money you get decreases over time;
- And index-linked critical illness cover that increases with inflation.
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What is Income Protection?
If you become seriously ill or injured and cannot work, having financial support can be essential. This is where an income protection policy can help. It provides regular payments, ensuring you can cover essential expenses until you can return to work. Connect Mortgages can assist in selecting the most suitable policy for your needs.
They will help determine when your payments should start, how much you require, and how long the payments should last. This financial security can make a significant difference during illness. It allows you to focus on recovery rather than worrying about bills. The payments can help cover your mortgage and other essential costs.
How Much Critical Illness Coverage Do I Need?
To determine how much critical illness cover you need, consider your financial situation and regular expenses. Several factors influence the level of cover required, including:
- The outstanding balance on your mortgage or other loans.
- Potential medical expenses or private treatment costs if you become ill.
- Household running costs and childcare expenses.
- The financial support your family would need if you were unable to work due to illness.
This ensures you have the right level of cover to protect your financial stability. Let me know if you’d like any further refinements!
The Types of Illnesses that Qualify for Critical Illness Coverage
Critical illness insurance is a type of insurance that covers diseases that can put your life in danger, like cancer, heart attack, and stroke.
Sometimes, the insurance policy may also cover diseases such as Alzheimer’s, cerebral palsy, and multiple sclerosis.
Make sure to read your policy to see if the specific disease you are worried about is covered.
What’s the Next Step?
Critical illness cover provides essential financial support if you become seriously ill and unable to work. Finding the right policy is crucial, so it’s worth comparing options to ensure you get the best cover for your needs.
You may also want to explore other options, such as income protection insurance or government support.
This guide offers general guidance, but speak with an expert for personalised advice. Don’t leave your financial future to chance—[contact us today] to discuss your protection options with a specialist.
FAQ (Frequently asked questions)
Critical illness insurance can be helpful if you get seriously sick. It gives you money to cover medical expenses, lost income, and other related costs. It’s essential to think about the policy’s cost and advantages before buying it, though. While it can provide money when you need it most, the premiums can be costly, and it may not be suitable for everyone.
Critical illness insurance can help protect you financially if you develop certain types of cancer. These policies usually cover breast, prostate, colorectal, ovarian, bladder, lymphoma, and melanoma. You should read your policy carefully to know exactly what types of cancer it covers.
You can buy critical illness cover by itself or with a life insurance policy. Make sure to read the terms and conditions to find one that fits your needs and budget.
Critical illness coverage is not the same as a P11D benefit, which is something employers provide without having to pay taxes or national insurance. P11D benefits usually include company cars, health care plans, and interest-free loans. Critical illness coverage can be purchased separately or added to a life insurance policy.
Insurance companies have their own rules and conditions for coverage. If you have a serious case of diabetes, they may charge more for insurance. But some insurance companies may provide coverage for critical illnesses even if you have diabetes.
What next?
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