Get the Right Critical Illness Protection for You & Your Family
Not all critical illness policies are the same. Some pay out for twice as many conditions as others—even at the same price. Combined with life insurance and income protection, you create a complete safety net for your family. I compare your options using expert analysis so you get the best value protection, not just the cheapest.
As with all insurance policies, conditions and exclusions will apply.
Content reviewed: 13 January 2026
What is critical illness insurance and what does it cover?
Critical illness insurance pays a tax-free lump sum if diagnosed with serious illness like cancer, heart attack, or stroke. Most policies cover 40+ conditions. You typically need to survive 14-28 days after diagnosis to claim.
Expert comparison of UK insurers to find the best cover for your needs.
What is critical illness insurance and what does it cover?
Critical illness insurance pays a tax-free lump sum if you're diagnosed with a serious illness like cancer, heart attack, stroke, or MS—you don't have to die to claim. Most policies cover 40+ conditions including specified cancers, heart conditions, neurological conditions, and major organ failure. You typically need to survive 14-28 days after diagnosis.
Key Facts: Critical Illness
- •Pays tax-free lump sum if diagnosed with serious illness—you don't have to die
- •Covers 40+ conditions: cancer, heart attack, stroke, MS, major organ failure
- •Policies differ massively—some cover twice as many conditions for same price
- •You typically need to survive 14-28 days after diagnosis to claim
- •Often combined with life insurance for comprehensive protection
How Critical Illness Cover Works
Why Policies Vary So Much
Most people think critical illness cover is "broadly the same"—it's not. Using expert analysis, I compare policies on factors that genuinely matter:
Number of conditions covered
Some policies cover 100+ children's conditions, others fewer than 25
Quality of claims wording
Better wording definitions = higher chance of payout when you need it
Partial vs full payments
Early-stage diagnoses can trigger partial payouts on modern policies
Payment enhancements
Some offer additional payouts for specific cancers or children's claims
Bottom line:
Simply "going cheap" often means losing thousands of pounds of real protection. That's why I don't just find you quotes—I find you the right protection at fair value.
How I Compare Your Cover
Your personalised comparison goes through a 5-step expert review process:
Your health & lifestyle
Age, smoking status, and medical history—because likelihood of claim changes by individual circumstances.
Your family situation
Children's cover varies massively. I find policies that match your family's specific needs.
The exact policy terms
Definitions matter. A condition with better wording means a higher chance of successful payout.
Extra payments & enhancements
Specific cancers, children's claims, and early-stage diagnoses can trigger additional payouts on the right policies.
Overall value score
This shows the true value of a policy, not just the premium. Sometimes paying slightly more gets you significantly better protection.
Your result:
A clear, simple breakdown of which policy gives YOU the best protection, with an explanation of each option's pros and cons.
Compare Critical Illness Insurance Providers
Life and critical illness cover comparison: See how UK insurers differ on the factors that matter most
| Comparison Factor | Basic Policies | Standard Policies | Premium Policies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core conditions covered | 40-50 | 50-70 | 70-100+ |
| Children's conditions | 25-40 | 50-70 | 99+ |
| Partial payment options | Limited | 10-15 conditions | 25+ conditions |
| Cancer definition quality | Standard | Good | Excellent |
| Heart attack definition | Troponin only | Troponin + ECG | Multiple markers |
| Added-value services | None | GP helpline | GP + mental health + second opinion |
| Claims payout rate | 92%+ | 94%+ | 96%+ |
Note: Policy features vary by provider. We compare your specific options using expert analysis tools.
Real Example: Why Comparison Matters
In a real client scenario comparing three policies at similar prices:
- Policy A scored 4.27% higher overall value than Policy B
- Policy B included 68 additional preferential conditions not in Policy C
- Policy C offered stronger children's cover with 99+ conditions covered
- All three had similar premiums
The lesson: Small differences in wording and condition lists make huge differences if you ever claim. That's why expert comparison isn't a luxury—it's essential.
Key Benefits
Tax-free lump sum payment upon diagnosis of a covered illness
Covers 40+ critical illnesses including cancer, heart attack, and stroke
Use the money however you need - no restrictions on how you spend it
Partial payments available for less severe diagnoses on many policies
Can be taken as standalone cover or added to life insurance
Financial security for you and your family during a difficult time
How Much Critical Illness Cover Do You Need?
Calculate the lump sum you'd need to cover financial obligations, medical costs, and lost income if diagnosed with a critical illness.
Important: This calculator provides an estimate only. Critical illness cover pays a tax-free lump sum upon diagnosis of a covered condition.
Speak to our expert advisers for personalised guidance on critical illness insurance policies and which conditions are covered, completely free of charge.
Understanding Critical Illness Insurance
Essential guidance to help you choose the right critical illness cover
Core Conditions (100% Payout):
- •Cancer (excluding less advanced cases)
- •Heart attack (of specified severity)
- •Stroke (with permanent symptoms)
- •Coronary artery bypass surgery
- •Major organ transplant
- •Multiple sclerosis
- •Kidney failure
- •Paralysis (permanent and total)
Extended Coverage:
Modern policies cover 40-50+ conditions including Parkinson's, blindness, deafness, loss of limbs, and many more serious illnesses and injuries.
Important: Each insurer defines conditions differently. We'll help you compare policies to find comprehensive coverage that suits your needs.
Many modern policies offer partial payouts for less severe diagnoses, allowing you to claim before a condition becomes critical.
Partial Payment Examples (typically 25-50%):
- •Early stage prostate cancer
- •Carcinoma in situ (very early cancer)
- •Less severe heart attack
- •Angioplasty (coronary artery procedure)
- •Single loss of limb or digit
- •Specific sight/hearing loss
How It Works:
Receive a percentage of your cover amount for less severe conditions. If you later develop the full condition, you receive the remaining amount.
Tip: Partial payment features add valuable flexibility but vary significantly between insurers. We'll find policies with the most comprehensive partial payment options.
Life Insurance:
Pays out when you die. Protects your family's finances after you're gone.
Critical Illness Cover:
Pays out when you're diagnosed with a covered illness while you're alive. Helps with medical costs, debts, and living expenses during recovery.
Combined Cover Options:
- •Standalone: Critical illness cover only
- •Combined (accelerated): Pays once - either on diagnosis or death
- •Combined (additional): Pays for both - separate sums for critical illness and death
Our recommendation: Most people need life insurance. Critical illness adds valuable protection if you have dependents, a mortgage, or limited sick pay.
Most Policies Are NOT In Trust
If your policy is not written in trust, the payout becomes part of your estate and may face these issues:
- •40% inheritance tax exposure (reducing family's protection)
- •Probate delays (funds tied up for months)
- •Potential disputes over who receives the money
- •Your family gets less when they need immediate support
Writing In Trust (Recommended)
Setting your policy in trust is free and takes 5 minutes:
- •Payout bypasses your estate entirely
- •No inheritance tax on the payment
- •Your family receives funds directly (days, not months)
- •Clear succession - you decide who gets the money
- •Maximum protection when your family needs it most
⚠️ Check Your Policy Now:
Review your existing critical illness policy documents. Is it written in trust? If unsure, contact your insurer or adviser immediately to set this up. This simple step could save your family tens of thousands of pounds.
What Affects Your Premium:
- •Age (younger = cheaper)
- •Smoking status (non-smokers pay less)
- •Health and medical history
- •Occupation and lifestyle
- •Cover amount and policy term
- •Number of conditions covered
Ways to Reduce Cost:
- •Buy when you're younger and healthier
- •Choose level cover (not increasing)
- •Consider shorter term if appropriate
- •Add critical illness to existing life insurance (often cheaper than standalone)
- •Compare multiple insurers - prices vary significantly
We'll help you find: The right balance between comprehensive coverage and affordable premiums by comparing the whole market.
Our Trusted Insurance Partners
Access to leading UK life insurance and protection providers
Comparing quotes from top insurers to find you the best cover at competitive rates
Common Questions About Critical Illness Insurance
Expert Guides & Provider Comparisons
Comprehensive guides covering critical illness insurance, provider comparisons, and real-world advice from our specialists.
Loading success stories...
Review Your Existing Policy
Not sure if your current critical illness policy is still good enough? Upload it for a free expert review. We'll compare your cover against today's best options and show you clearly where you stand.
- ✓Free, no-obligation analysis
- ✓Professional CIExpert review
- ✓Clear recommendations
- ✓Secure upload to Microsoft 365 (Azure UK)
Why Review Your Policy?
- •Policies get outdated - modern plans offer better coverage
- •Definitions matter - old wording could mean claims are declined
- •Better value available - sometimes paying slightly more gets you significantly better protection
- •Children's cover varies - some policies cover 100+ conditions, others fewer than 25