A quick overview of critical illness cover
Critical illness cover is a type of insurance that pays out a tax-free lump sum if you are diagnosed with a specific serious illness listed in your policy, such as cancer, heart attack, or stroke.
You can read more about how it works in our complete guide to critical illness cover.
Key features of critical illness cover
Here is a rundown of the key components of critical illness cover and the rules around it:
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Can be taken out as a standalone policy or combined with life insurance
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Policyholders pay a monthly premium while the plan is active
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Payouts are made as a single tax-free lump sum to you (not your family)
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To claim, you typically must survive for a set period after diagnosis (usually 10-14 days)
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Many policies offer the option to add cover for your children, often for an additional cost
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It only covers the specific illnesses defined in your policy (often around 50 conditions), not every serious health issue
Eligibility criteria and other requirements
To qualify for critical illness cover in the UK you generally need to be a permanent resident here and hold a UK bank account.
You will also need to be over the age of 18, and typically under the age of 64 or 67 at the time of application, with cover usually ending by age 70 or 75.
This table highlights the factors that impact a policy’s cost and likelihood of acceptance.
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Factor |
Impact & Key Insurer Checks |
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Health & BMI |
Insurers check weight and medical history. Issues can lead to higher premiums or specific exclusions. |
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Family History |
A history of hereditary conditions (like heart disease or cancer) in parents or siblings can increase costs or lead to exclusions. |
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Smoking & Vaping |
Any nicotine use in the last 12 months classifies you as a "smoker," significantly increasing the monthly cost. |
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Occupation |
High-risk jobs (e.g., offshore, heights) may increase premiums or limit available insurers. |
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Hobbies |
Dangerous sports (e.g., rock climbing, diving) may be excluded from valid claims or increase premiums. |
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Lifestyle |
Heavy alcohol consumption or drug history is a common cause for applications being declined. |
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No, a standalone critical illness policy is designed to pay out only if you survive a diagnosis (typically by at least 10–14 days). It is not the same as life insurance. However, many people buy a "combined" policy that includes both life insurance and critical illness cover. In that case, it will pay out on either the first diagnosis of a critical illness or death - whichever happens first - but usually not both.
THINK CAREFULLY BEFORE SECURING OTHER DEBTS AGAINST YOUR HOME. YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON A MORTGAGE OR ANY OTHER DEBT SECURED ON IT.
IF YOU ARE THINKING OF CONSOLIDATING EXISTING BORROWING YOU SHOULD BE AWARE THAT YOU MAY BE EXTENDING THE TERMS OF THE DEBT AND INCREASING THE TOTAL AMOUNT YOU REPAY.
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