Critical Illness Cover Cost UK 2026
Direct Answer
Critical illness cover in the UK typically costs £15-80 per month. A 35-year-old non-smoker might pay around £25-40/month for £100,000 cover over 25 years. Key factors affecting price: age, health, smoker status, cover amount, and policy term. Smokers pay 50-100% more than non-smokers.
Critical Illness Insurance Price Examples
Here's what you might expect to pay for £100,000 critical illness cover over 25 years:
| Age | Non-Smoker | Smoker |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | £15-25/month | £25-45/month |
| 35 | £25-40/month | £45-75/month |
| 45 | £50-80/month | £90-150/month |
| 55 | £120-200/month | £200-350/month |
*Indicative prices only. Actual quotes depend on individual circumstances.
What Affects Critical Illness Insurance Cost?
- Age — Younger applicants pay significantly less. Buying at 25 vs 45 can halve your premiums
- Smoking status — Smokers pay 50-100% more than non-smokers
- Health conditions — Pre-existing conditions increase premiums or may require exclusions
- Cover amount — Higher payouts mean higher premiums
- Policy term — Longer terms cost more as risk of claiming increases
- Family history — Heart disease, cancer, or stroke in close relatives can increase costs
- Occupation — Some jobs are considered higher risk
How to Get Cheaper Critical Illness Cover
- Buy young — Lock in lower rates before health issues develop
- Stop smoking — After 12 months smoke-free, you qualify for non-smoker rates
- Choose decreasing cover — If protecting a mortgage, decreasing cover reduces premiums
- Combine with life insurance — Joint policies cost less than two separate policies
- Compare the whole market — Different insurers price risks differently
- Use a broker — We can find deals not available directly
Is Critical Illness Insurance Worth the Cost?
The average critical illness claim pays out £67,000. If you have a mortgage, dependents, or would struggle financially during a serious illness, CI cover provides valuable protection. Consider: 1 in 2 people will develop cancer in their lifetime, and the majority survive. CI cover ensures you can focus on recovery rather than finances.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does critical illness cover cost in the UK?
Typically £15-80/month depending on age, health, smoker status, and cover amount. A 35-year-old non-smoker might pay £25-40/month for £100,000 cover.
Why is critical illness more expensive than life insurance?
Because you're more likely to claim. Critical illness pays out if you're diagnosed with a serious condition and survive—which happens more often than dying during the policy term.
Can I reduce my critical illness premiums?
Yes—buy younger, quit smoking, choose decreasing cover, combine with life insurance, and use a broker to compare the whole market.
Related Topics
Content reviewed: January 2026