Critical illness cover

Insurance that pays a tax-free lump sum if you are diagnosed with a condition meeting the policy definition.

A critical illness policy pays a single lump sum when the policyholder is diagnosed with a condition that meets the written definition in the policy wording — the definition, not the condition’s name alone, decides whether a claim is paid. Cover can be bought standalone or combined with life insurance; combined policies commonly pay out once, on the first event. Premiums are set at application from age, health, smoking status, the sum assured and the term, and are either guaranteed for the term or reviewable at set intervals.

Guides that use this term

• Critical illness cover: what is it and why might you need it?
• Is critical illness cover worth it?
• Can you get critical illness cover without life insurance?
• What is critical illness cover, and how does it work in the UK?
• Critical illness cover vs income protection: what’s the difference?
• Life insurance vs critical illness cover: what’s the difference?
• How much does critical illness cover cost in the UK?
• How much critical illness cover do I need?