Insurance
Critical Illness Cover
Trusted by over 250,000 people since 2012
Written by Mark Langshaw Reviewed by Lee Trett
22 January 2026
Hub page introduction, criteria and FAQs added
12 December 2024
First Published
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
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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. |
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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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.
These terms are often confused but mean very different things.
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Critical Illness Cover pays out if you are diagnosed with a specific serious condition listed in the policy (like a heart attack, stroke, or cancer) even if you are expected to make a full recovery.
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Terminal Illness Cover is usually a standard feature included with life insurance. It only pays out if your doctor confirms you have an incurable illness and are expected to pass away within 12 months.
Many comprehensive policies include "Children’s Critical Illness Cover" automatically or allow you to add it for a small extra cost. This typically pays out a smaller lump sum (e.g., £25,000 or 50% of your cover) if your child is diagnosed with a specific condition. However, this varies significantly by insurer, so you must check if it is a standard feature or an optional add-on.
Get a bespoke critical illness cover quote today
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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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