Critical illness cover pays a lump sum on diagnosis of a condition named in the policy, provided you survive a short period afterwards. The money is yours to use as you choose, whether that means clearing the mortgage, adapting the house or simply not working for a year.
The value sits almost entirely in the definitions. Two policies can differ by a few pounds a month and by a great deal in what they actually pay for.
Insurers define the same illness differently. One policy pays on a cancer diagnosis at an early stage, while another requires it to be advanced. Heart conditions, strokes and multiple sclerosis all carry definitions that vary in how much evidence and severity they demand.
We compare the quality of the wording alongside the premium, and we tell you clearly what falls outside the policy. Critical illness cover advice that stops at the monthly cost is not advice.
Many policies pay a smaller sum for less severe conditions without ending the cover. Some include a long list of additional conditions that rarely claim, which looks impressive and adds little. Volume of conditions is a poor measure of quality.
Most policies include cover for children at no extra cost, usually at a reduced amount. The scope varies widely, and for many parents it is the part of the policy that matters most. It is worth reading before you choose an insurer.
Critical illness cover is often added to a life policy, paying out on the first event. Separate policies cost more and can pay twice. Which arrangement suits you depends on your budget and on what would happen to the household income in each case.
Applications ask detailed questions about your health, your family history and your habits. Answering them fully protects the claim later. Where a condition is already present, we will help you find insurers likely to offer terms rather than a decline.
A protection review is free of charge and carries no obligation.
