Critical illness cover

You choose how much cover you want and how long it lasts (the term). If you're diagnosed with a covered illness during the term and it meets the policy's definition, the insurer pays out.

Most policies pay a lump sum. Some can pay a monthly income instead, from the claim until the policy ends.

Critical illness cover on its own usually only pays if you survive for a short time after diagnosis (the survival period). If it's combined with life cover and pays the same amount either way, there's usually no survival period.

Critical illness cover on its own pays nothing if you die. See life and critical illness cover for ways to combine the two.

Critical illness cover may suit you if:

• you and your family depend heavily on your income
• you don't have savings to fall back on
• you don't get long-term sick pay or other cover through work

You might not need it if your savings or your employer's cover would be enough to see you through a serious illness.

• We look at what a serious illness would mean for your household, and what you'd already have from sick pay, savings and cover through work.
• We compare how the insurers define the illnesses behind most claims, not just how many illnesses they list.
• We recommend a policy in writing and explain what it won't cover, including the illnesses it pays only partly or not at all.
• We help with the application and any trust forms.

We offer products from a carefully selected number of insurers to provide a fair analysis of the market for Income Protection, Critical Illness Insurance, and Life Assurance.

We don't charge you a fee for protection advice. If you take out a policy through us, we're paid commission by the insurer.

As with all insurance policies, conditions and exclusions will apply.

The cost of this insurance depends on several factors, such as your age, where you live and your occupation. As a result, the cost you will pay is based on your own circumstances.

• It won't pay for an illness that isn't listed, or that doesn't meet the definition (such as a less advanced cancer), unless the policy makes an extra payment for it.
• If the policy has a survival period, it won't pay if you die within it.
• A lump sum usually pays only once: after a full claim, the cover ends.
• Common exclusions include illnesses caused by alcohol or drug abuse, deliberate self-injury, and unreasonably not getting or following medical advice. Each insurer's list is different.
• If you're at higher risk of a particular illness, the insurer may exclude it or charge more.
• Inaccurate answers on your application can mean a reduced payout or none.
• Some insurers need you to be in certain countries when you're diagnosed or claim.

The same things as life insurance: your age, health, smoking, weight, family history, job and hobbies, plus how much cover you want, for how long, and any options.

Critical illness cover usually costs more than life cover alone, because you're usually more likely to have a serious illness than to die during the policy.

Guaranteed or reviewable premiums. Guaranteed premiums stay the same unless you change the policy. Reviewable premiums are reviewed at set points, usually every five years, across all the insurer's policyholders rather than on your own health, and can go up or down. If they go up, you may need to reduce your cover to keep the premium affordable, and over time you could pay more in total than with guaranteed premiums. Some insurers we use offer both; others guarantee premiums only.

We don't publish example prices.

A critical illness payout is normally meant for you, not for trustees. If your policy also includes life cover and you want to put it in trust, insurers have trust forms that keep the critical illness payment for you while the life cover goes to the people you choose. We'll explain the options. If you're unsure about any of the implications, we'll suggest you speak to a financial adviser or a tax adviser.

The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate trust or tax advice.

If you're employed, Statutory Sick Pay is £123.25 a week (or 80% of your normal weekly pay, if that's less) for up to 28 weeks. Your employer may pay more for a while: check your contract.

After that, you may get New Style Employment and Support Allowance: up to £95.55 a week (£75.65 if you're under 25) while you're assessed, usually for 13 weeks, and up to £145.90 a week if you're then placed in the support group. Universal Credit depends on your income and savings: savings over £6,000 reduce it, and you can't get it with savings over £16,000.

Personal Independence Payment helps with the extra costs of a long-term illness or disability. It doesn't depend on your income, and you can get it while you work: £76.70 or £114.60 a week for daily living, and £30.30 or £80 a week for getting around, depending on your needs.

These are the GOV.UK rates when we checked on 8 October 2026. They change each April.