What's the Difference Between Critical Illness and Terminal Illness?

Critical illness pays a lump sum for specific serious conditions (cancer, heart attack, stroke) regardless of your prognosis - you might fully recover. Terminal illness cover (usually included free in life insurance) pays when you're diagnosed with any condition giving 12 months or less to live. Different triggers: specific diagnosis vs life expectancy. You can have both.

Critical illness cover guide

Learn more about critical illness cover guide in our detailed guide.

Critical illness vs life insurance

Learn more about critical illness vs life insurance in our detailed guide.

Learn more about life insurance guide in our detailed guide.

What's the difference between critical illness and terminal illness?

Critical illness pays for specific conditions (cancer, heart attack, stroke) regardless of prognosis. Terminal illness pays when life expectancy is 12 months or less from any cause. Different triggers and purposes.

Is terminal illness included in life insurance?

Yes, most life insurance policies include terminal illness benefit at no extra cost. It allows early payment of the death benefit if diagnosed with a terminal condition (12 months or less to live).

Terminal illness benefit is usually free with life insurance. Critical illness is a separate/additional cover. They serve different purposes - CI for living with serious illness, TI for end-of-life planning.

What if I have a condition that's both?

You could potentially claim on both. If diagnosed with terminal cancer, you could claim CI (for the cancer) and later TI (when prognosis is 12 months). Some policies pay one reduces the other.

Quick Answer

Do I Need Critical Illness and Terminal Illness Cover?

Last reviewed: December 2025

Reviewed by Jay Sabine – CeMAP Qualified – 29 years experience

Different covers: CI = specific conditions (regardless of prognosis). TI = any condition with 12 months to live (often free with life insurance). You can have both.

Critical illness and terminal illness cover serve different purposes. Understanding the difference helps you know what protection you have and what you might need to add.

Key Points

1CI: specific conditions, any prognosis
2TI: any condition, 12 months to live
3TI usually included free in life insurance
4CI is separate/additional cover
5Can claim on both in some cases
6Different triggers and purposes

Eligibility Criteria

CI: diagnosis of listed condition
TI: 12 months life expectancy
Both require medical confirmation
Policy must be in force

Typical Timeframe

CI pays within weeks of diagnosis. TI pays once terminal diagnosis is confirmed.

Next Steps

1Check your life insurance for TI benefit
2Consider adding critical illness
3Understand what each covers
4Get quotes for CI if needed
5Speak to protection adviser

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Do I Need Critical Illness and Terminal Illness Cover?

Key Points

Eligibility Criteria

Typical Timeframe

Next Steps

Related Questions

Key Differences

People Also Ask

What Our Clients Say

Key Points

Eligibility Criteria

Typical Timeframe

Next Steps

Related Questions

Key Differences

People Also Ask

What's the difference between critical illness and terminal illness?

Is terminal illness included in life insurance?

Do I need both?

What if I have a condition that's both?

What Our Clients Say