Do I Need Critical Illness and Terminal Illness Cover?
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
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
For more detailed information about this topic, visit our comprehensive guide:
Protection
Content reviewed: January 2026
CeMAP awarded by The London Institute of Banking & Finance. Cert CII (MP) awarded by the Chartered Insurance Institute.