The short period after diagnosis you must survive before a critical illness claim is paid.
Most critical illness policies include a survival period — commonly between 10 and 30 days depending on the insurer — meaning the policyholder must survive for that length of time after the diagnosis for the claim to be payable. The clause exists to keep critical illness cover distinct from life insurance: the product is designed to fund recovery and living costs, not to pay out on death. The exact period is stated in the policy wording and should be checked before buying, particularly on combined life and critical illness policies.