Do I Need Both Critical Illness AND Income Protection?
Yes, ideally. Critical illness = lump sum for serious conditions (clear mortgage). Income protection = monthly income for any illness (pay bills). Different purposes - together they provide complete protection.
Critical illness and income protection serve different purposes and complement each other. Critical illness provides a large one-off payment when diagnosed with specific serious conditions like cancer, heart attack, or stroke. Income protection replaces your regular income if any illness or injury prevents you from working.
Key Points
- 1CI: lump sum for specific serious conditions
- 2IP: monthly income for any illness/injury
- 3CI pays once, IP pays until recovery
- 4Together = comprehensive protection
- 5Can claim on both simultaneously
Eligibility Criteria
- CI: diagnosis of listed condition required
- IP: unable to work due to any medical reason
- Both require health declaration at application
Typical Timeframe
Critical illness pays a lump sum within weeks of diagnosis. Income protection starts paying after your chosen waiting period (typically 4-8 weeks).
Next Steps
- 1Calculate your mortgage and monthly expenses
- 2Check existing employer benefits
- 3Get quotes for both types of cover
- 4Speak to a protection adviser
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ProtectionContent reviewed: January 2026