What's on the Critical Illness Conditions List?
Core: cancer (65% claims), heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, organ transplant, MS, Parkinson's. Additional: blindness, deafness, paralysis, burns, coma + 40-60 more.
Critical illness policies cover a defined list of serious medical conditions. The ABI (Association of British Insurers) provides standardised definitions for core conditions, while additional conditions vary by provider.
Key Points
- 1Cancer: 65% of all claims
- 2Heart attack + stroke: 15-20%
- 3Core conditions standardised (ABI)
- 440-60 conditions typically covered
- 5Additional conditions vary by provider
- 6Definitions matter more than count
Eligibility Criteria
- Diagnosis must meet policy definition
- Condition after policy starts
- Survival period applies
- Pre-existing conditions excluded
Typical Timeframe
Claims assessed against specific policy definitions. Payout typically 4-8 weeks after diagnosis.
Next Steps
- 1Review full conditions list
- 2Compare key definitions
- 3Focus on cancer, heart, stroke
- 4Get quotes from multiple providers
- 5Speak to protection adviser
Why This Matters for Your Mortgage
Understanding these details helps you make informed decisions during the mortgage process. Every element of your application—from deposits to documentation—affects your approval chances and the rates you can access.
Lenders assess applications holistically, weighing multiple factors together. Knowing what they look for allows you to present the strongest possible application. This is particularly important for non-standard situations where lender criteria varies significantly.
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Related Questions
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Protection
Content reviewed: January 2026
CeMAP awarded by The London Institute of Banking & Finance. Cert CII (MP) awarded by the Chartered Insurance Institute.