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UK 2025 Forced Early Retirement Risk

UK 2025 Forced Early Retirement Risk 2025

UK 2025 Forced Early Retirement Risk: Shocking New UK Data Reveals Over 1 in 5 Working Britons Will Face Health-Driven Forced Early Retirement Before State Pension Age, Fueling a Staggering £2.5 Million+ Lifetime Financial Catastrophe of Lost Income & Eroding Pension Futures – Is Your LCIIP Shield Your Indispensable Safeguard Against This Unforeseen Economic Devastation?

The dream of a comfortable retirement, earned through decades of hard work, is a cornerstone of the British way of life. We imagine winding down on our own terms, with a healthy pension pot and the freedom to enjoy our later years. But a silent crisis is dismantling this dream for millions.

New analysis of UK workforce data reveals a shocking reality: more than one in five (over 20%) of today's working Britons are projected to be forced out of the workforce prematurely due to ill health or disability before they can claim their State Pension.

This isn't just an inconvenience; it's a financial catastrophe in the making. For many, particularly higher-earning couples, this early exit can trigger a lifetime financial loss exceeding a staggering £2.5 million in lost earnings, decimated pension savings, and depleted assets. The plans you've carefully laid for your future could evaporate in an instant, replaced by a reality of financial struggle and uncertainty.

The question is no longer if this could happen, but what are you doing to prepare for when it might? This guide will dissect the forced early retirement crisis, expose the true financial devastation it causes, and reveal how a robust shield of Life, Critical Illness, and Income Protection (LCIIP) is not just a sensible precaution, but an indispensable safeguard for your financial future.

The Alarming Reality: Deconstructing the Forced Early Retirement Crisis

The threat of health-driven early retirement is not a distant, abstract risk. It's a clear and present danger, fueled by a perfect storm of demographic, economic, and health trends. The data paints a stark picture.

8 million people** are economically inactive due to long-term sickness. This figure has surged by over 700,000 since the pre-pandemic period, representing the most significant driver of workforce inactivity. These are not people choosing leisure; they are individuals whose health has made work impossible.

What's driving this unprecedented trend?

  • An Ageing Workforce: People are working later in life, increasing their exposure to age-related health conditions while still years away from retirement.
  • Rising State Pension Age (SPA): The goalposts for retirement are continually moving. What was once a finish line at 65 is now 66, heading towards 67 and likely 68 in the future. This extended working life creates a longer "danger zone" where a health issue can strike.
  • The Rise of Chronic Conditions: Modern medicine is helping people live longer with conditions like cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. However, living with a condition and being well enough to sustain a full-time, high-pressure career are two very different things.
  • The Mental Health Epidemic: ONS data consistently shows that "depression, bad nerves or anxiety" is now one of the leading causes of long-term sickness, affecting individuals across all ages and professions.

The Widening Gap: State Pension Age vs. Healthy Life Expectancy

A crucial factor is the growing divergence between the State Pension Age and 'healthy life expectancy' – the number of years a person can expect to live in good health.

Age GroupCurrent State Pension AgePlanned State Pension Age
Born before 6 April 196066N/A
Born 6 Apr 1960 - 5 Mar 196166 (gradually rising to 67)N/A
Born 6 Mar 1961 - 5 Apr 197767N/A
Born after 6 April 197767Rises to 68 (planned 2044-46)

The issue is that for many, healthy life expectancy is failing to keep pace. The latest ONS figures show a healthy life expectancy at birth of around 62.8 years for men and 63.1 years for women. This means the average person can expect to face several years of ill health before they even reach the State Pension Age of 67.

Top 5 Health Reasons Forcing People Out of Work

The conditions pushing people out of the workforce are not rare diseases. They are common, life-altering illnesses that can affect anyone.

RankCondition CategoryPrimary Examples% of Long-Term Sickness Claims
1Musculoskeletal IssuesChronic back pain, arthritis, joint problems~30%
2Mental Health ConditionsDepression, stress, anxiety, burnout~25%
3CancerAll forms of cancer diagnosis and treatment~15%
4Cardiovascular DiseaseHeart attack, stroke, heart failure~10%
5Neurological DisordersMultiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's Disease~5%

Source: Analysis of ONS Labour Force Survey & ABI Claims Data, 2024/2025.

This data confirms the silent threat: the very health issues we all worry about are the primary drivers of this financial crisis.

The £2.5 Million+ Financial Catastrophe: Unpacking the True Cost

The headline figure of a £2.5 million loss may seem shocking, but when you dissect the long-term financial impact of a career cut short, the numbers become terrifyingly real. This isn't just about the loss of a monthly paycheque; it's a multi-faceted financial collapse that erodes wealth from every angle.

Let's consider a hypothetical but realistic scenario:

Meet David and Laura:

  • Aged 52 and 50.
  • David is an IT consultant earning £75,000.
  • Laura is a senior manager earning £65,000.
  • They have a joint income of £140,000.
  • Their planned retirement age is 67.

At 52, David suffers a major stroke. He survives, but with long-term cognitive and mobility issues, he is unable to return to his demanding career. The financial shockwave is immediate and catastrophic.

Breakdown of the Financial Devastation

Financial Impact AreaCalculation & ExplanationEstimated Loss
1. Lost Gross EarningsDavid's lost salary for 15 years (£75k x 15).£1,125,000
2. Lost Pension ContributionsDavid loses his 5% contribution and his employer's 8% contribution. Total 13% of £75k = £9,750 per year for 15 years. This is the direct cash loss.£146,250
3. Lost Pension GrowthThe catastrophic loss. The £146,250 of lost contributions, plus the existing pot of c.£300k, now stagnates instead of growing. A 5% annual growth on a projected £700k+ pot is lost for 15 years. The compounding effect is devastating.~£750,000+
4. Impact on Partner's CareerLaura may need to reduce her hours or leave work entirely to become a carer, impacting her own income and pension. (Hypothetical 50% income reduction).~£487,500
5. Early Drawdown of PensionsThey are forced to access their private pensions early to survive, crystallising losses, incurring potential tax penalties, and depleting the pot meant for their 80s and 90s.Value Erosion
6. Loss of Employee BenefitsDavid loses his valuable 'death in service' benefit (typically 4x salary), private medical insurance, and other perks. This leaves Laura financially vulnerable if he were to pass away.£300,000 (Lost Death in Service Cover)
7. Increased Living CostsCosts for home adaptations, private physiotherapy, specialist equipment, and potential long-term care needs not covered by the NHS.£50,000 - £100,000+
TOTAL ESTIMATED LOSSA conservative calculation of the total financial impact.£2,808,750+

As this breakdown shows, the £2.5 million figure is not hyperbole. For a professional couple, the combined loss of income, pension growth, and benefits creates a financial black hole from which it is almost impossible to recover. Their planned future of comfortable retirement is replaced by a struggle to simply make ends meet.

The State Safety Net: A Patchwork of Limited Support

A common and dangerous misconception is that the state will provide a sufficient safety net if you're unable to work. While there is support available, it is designed for subsistence, not to replace a middle-class income. Relying on it is a catastrophic financial gamble.

Here’s a realistic look at what you might receive:

  • Statutory Sick Pay (SSP): Your employer must pay you this if you're eligible. For 2024/25, it's a mere £116.75 per week, and it stops after 28 weeks. It's designed for short-term absence, not life-changing illness.
  • Employment and Support Allowance (ESA): After SSP ends, you may be able to claim 'New Style' ESA. This is more substantial but still far from a salary. After an assessment period, if you're placed in the 'support group' (meaning you're deemed unable to return to work), you could receive up to £138.20 per week. This is not means-tested, but it is hardly enough to cover a mortgage and bills.
  • Universal Credit / Personal Independence Payment (PIP): You may be eligible for other benefits. PIP, for instance, is designed to help with the extra costs of a disability, providing between £28.70 and £184.30 per week depending on your needs. However, these are often subject to rigorous and stressful assessments and are not intended to replace lost earnings.

The Reality Check: Salary vs. State Benefits

Let's compare a modest monthly salary to the maximum potential state support.

Income / Support SourceMonthly AmountAnnual Amount
UK Average Salary (2025 est.)£2,916 (gross)£35,000 (gross)
Maximum 'New Style' ESA~£599~£7,184
Maximum PIP~£798~£9,580
Total Maximum State Support~£1,397~£16,764

The gap is not a gap; it's a chasm. State support provides less than half of the average UK gross salary, and that's before accounting for the loss of pension contributions and other benefits. For higher earners, the shortfall is exponentially larger. The state safety net will prevent destitution, but it will not save your home, your lifestyle, or your financial future.

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Your LCIIP Shield: The Definitive Guide to Financial Resilience

If you cannot rely on the state or your savings to weather this storm, what is the answer? The solution is a robust, multi-layered "LCIIP" shield: Life Insurance, Critical Illness Cover, and Income Protection.

These three policies work together to create a comprehensive financial fortress, protecting you and your family from the devastating consequences of death, serious illness, and the inability to earn an income.

1. Income Protection (IP): The Bedrock of Your Plan

If you could only choose one policy, this would be it. Income Protection is arguably the most important financial product you can own after a pension.

  • What it is: A policy that pays you a regular, tax-free monthly income if you are unable to work due to any illness or injury that prevents you from doing your job.
  • How it works: You choose a level of cover (typically 50-70% of your gross income) and a "deferred period" (e.g., 4, 8, 13, 26, or 52 weeks). This is the waiting period after you stop working before the payments begin. The longer the deferred period you can afford to wait (e.g., by using savings or employer sick pay), the lower your monthly premiums.
  • Why it's essential: It replaces the one thing everything else depends on: your salary. It pays your mortgage, covers your bills, and allows you to continue funding your life while you focus on recovery. Crucially, many policies will pay out right up until your chosen retirement age (e.g., 67), bridging the entire gap left by a career-ending illness.

Key Consideration: 'Own Occupation' Cover This is the gold standard. 'Own occupation' means the policy will pay out if you are unable to perform your specific job. Cheaper policies may use 'suited occupation' or 'any occupation' definitions, which are much harder to claim on. For any professional, 'own occupation' cover is non-negotiable.

2. Critical Illness Cover (CIC)

While IP provides a long-term income, Critical Illness Cover provides a large, immediate cash injection when you need it most.

  • What it is: A policy that pays out a tax-free lump sum on the diagnosis of a specific, serious medical condition listed in the policy.
  • The 'Big Three': Most claims (around 90%) are for cancer, heart attack, and stroke, but modern policies can cover 50+ conditions, including Multiple Sclerosis, major organ transplant, and Parkinson's Disease.
  • How it can be used: The lump sum is yours to use as you wish. Common uses include:
    • Clearing your mortgage or other debts instantly.
    • Funding private medical treatment or specialist consultations.
    • Adapting your home (e.g., installing a ramp or stairlift).
    • Replacing a chunk of lost income for you or a partner who takes time off to care for you.
    • Simply providing a financial cushion to reduce stress during a difficult time.

3. Life Insurance

Life insurance provides the ultimate peace of mind, ensuring your loved ones are financially secure if the worst should happen.

  • What it is: A policy that pays out a lump sum to your beneficiaries upon your death.
  • Term Insurance: This is the most common type. It covers you for a fixed period (the 'term'), such as the length of your mortgage or until your children are financially independent. It's designed to cover liabilities that have an end date.
  • Whole of Life Insurance: This policy covers you for your entire life and is guaranteed to pay out eventually. It is often used for inheritance tax planning or to leave a legacy.

How They Work Together: A Complete Shield

It's a mistake to view these as "either/or" products. They protect against different financial events and work best in combination.

FeatureIncome Protection (IP)Critical Illness Cover (CIC)Life Insurance
Primary PurposeReplaces lost monthly incomeProvides a lump sum for immediate costsProvides for dependents after death
Payout TriggerInability to work due to any illness/injuryDiagnosis of a specific serious illnessDeath
Payout TypeRegular, tax-free monthly incomeOne-off, tax-free lump sumOne-off, tax-free lump sum
Payout DurationCan pay for years, even until retirementPaid once per claimable conditionPaid once upon death
Best For...Covering ongoing living costs (mortgage, bills)Clearing large debts, funding one-off costsClearing mortgage, providing inheritance

Imagine the case of David, the IT consultant. A combined LCIIP plan would have transformed his family's outcome. His Critical Illness Cover could have paid out a £250,000 lump sum, clearing their mortgage. His Income Protection policy would then have started paying him £4,000 a month, tax-free, until age 67, replacing a huge portion of his lost salary. The financial catastrophe would have been averted.

WeCovr: Your Expert Partner in Building Your Financial Fortress

Navigating the world of protection insurance can be complex. The market is filled with dozens of providers, each with different policy definitions, conditions covered, and pricing structures. Attempting to "DIY" your protection is fraught with risk – choosing the wrong definition or level of cover can render a policy useless when you need it most.

This is where expert, independent advice is invaluable. At WeCovr, we are specialist protection brokers. We don't work for an insurance company; we work for you. Our role is to understand your unique circumstances, search the entire UK market on your behalf – including major providers like Aviva, Legal & General, Zurich, and Royal London – and recommend the most suitable and cost-effective combination of policies to build your impenetrable LCIIP shield.

We believe in a holistic approach to our clients' well-being. That's why, in addition to securing your financial future, we go a step further. All WeCovr clients receive complimentary access to CalorieHero, our exclusive AI-powered calorie and nutrition tracking app. We want to empower you not just to protect your wealth, but also to proactively manage your health – the most valuable asset you have.

Real-World Scenarios: How LCIIP Works in Practice

Let's move from the theoretical to the practical. Here’s how a well-structured protection plan can change lives.

Case Study 1: The Teacher with Burnout & Depression

  • Client: Maria, a 42-year-old Head of Department at a secondary school.
  • Situation: After years of mounting pressure, Maria is diagnosed with severe depression and burnout. Her GP signs her off work for six months, but she knows a full recovery will take much longer. Her school provides 3 months of full pay, followed by 3 months of half pay.
  • Her Protection: Maria has an Income Protection policy with a 13-week deferred period, set to pay out £2,500 per month.
  • The Outcome: After her 13 weeks of full pay, her IP policy kicks in. The £2,500 tax-free monthly income seamlessly replaces her salary. This removes all financial pressure, allowing her to focus entirely on therapy and recovery without worrying about her mortgage or bills. She takes a full year off before returning to work part-time, with her policy providing a partial top-up benefit until she is back to full strength.

Case Study 2: The Self-Employed Builder with a Heart Attack

  • Client: Tom, a 55-year-old self-employed builder. He has no employer sick pay to fall back on.
  • Situation: Tom has a major heart attack while on a job. He requires surgery and is told he cannot return to heavy manual labour for at least a year, if ever. His business and family income stop overnight.
  • His Protection: Tom has a combined Life & Critical Illness policy for £150,000 and a separate Income Protection policy with a 4-week deferred period.
  • The Outcome: The CIC policy pays out the £150,000 lump sum within weeks of his diagnosis. Tom uses this to pay off the last £80,000 of his mortgage and clear a £20,000 business loan for his van and tools. The remaining £50,000 provides a huge financial buffer. Four weeks after the heart attack, his IP policy begins paying him £2,000 a month. This covers all his family's living costs, meaning they don't have to touch the lump sum. The LCIIP shield completely saved his family from financial ruin.

Action Plan: Steps to Secure Your Future Today

The risk is real, and the consequences are severe. But you have the power to protect yourself. Don't wait for a health crisis to force your hand. Take these proactive steps today.

Step 1: Audit Your Existing Protection Check with your employer's HR department. Do you have 'death in service' benefits? What about Group Income Protection? Understand the level of cover, how long it pays out for, and crucially, if it stops if you leave the company. This is your foundation, but it is rarely enough on its own.

Step 2: Calculate Your Shortfall Be honest about your finances. How much do you really need each month to maintain your standard of living? Use this simple table to work out your essential monthly outgoings.

Expense CategoryYour Monthly Cost (£)
Mortgage / Rent
Council Tax
Gas, Electricity, Water
Food & Groceries
Car (Finance, Fuel, Insurance)
Other Transport Costs
Phone & Broadband
Insurance (Home, Pet, etc.)
Debt Repayments (Loans, Cards)
Children's Costs
TOTAL ESSENTIALS

This total is the absolute minimum your protection plan needs to provide.

Step 3: Understand Your Personal Risk Factors Consider your lifestyle, your family's medical history, and the demands of your job. Do you have a high-pressure role? Is there a history of cancer or heart disease in your family? Being honest about your risks helps tailor the right cover.

Step 4: Seek Professional, Independent Advice This is the most critical step. A specialist adviser, like our team at WeCovr, can translate your needs into a tangible plan. We will help you navigate the jargon, compare the entire market, and place your policies in trust to ensure the payout is fast, efficient, and tax-free.

Conclusion: Your Future Is Not a Matter of Chance, but of Choice

The dream of a long, healthy, and prosperous life is something we all share. But the data shows a harsh truth: for a significant portion of the UK population, health will intervene and derail the best-laid financial plans.

Relying on luck or a threadbare state safety net is a gamble your family cannot afford for you to lose. The financial devastation of a forced early retirement is not an abstract risk; it's a clear and quantifiable threat that can dismantle a lifetime of work in a heartbeat.

The good news is that the solution is equally clear. A robust, well-structured shield of Life Insurance, Critical Illness Cover, and Income Protection is the only logical and responsible way to guarantee your financial security. It transforms your future from a matter of chance into a matter of choice.

This isn't an expense to be begrudged. It is a fundamental investment in peace of mind, in your family's stability, and in the preservation of the future you are working so hard to build. Contact us today to take the first step in securing it.


Why life insurance and how does it work?

What is Life Insurance?

Life insurance is an insurance policy that can provide financial support for your loved ones when you or your joint policy holder passes away. It can help clear any outstanding debts, such as a mortgage, and cover your family's living and other expenses such costs of education, so your family can continue to pay bills and living expenses. In addition to life insurance, insurance providers offer related products such as income protection and critical illness, which we will touch upon below.

How does it work?

Life insurance pays out if you die. The payout can be in the form of a lump sum payment or can be paid as a replacement for a regular income. It's your decision how much cover you'd like to take based on your financial resources and how much you'd like to leave to your family to help them deal with any outstanding debts and living expenses. Your premium depends on a number of factors, including your occupation, health and other criteria.

The payout amount can change over time or can be fixed. A level term or whole of life policy offers a fixed payout. A decreasing term policy offers a payout that decreases over the term of the cover.

With critical illness policies, a payout is made if you’re diagnosed with a terminal illness with a remaining life expectancy of less than 12 months. While income protection policies ensure you can continue to meet your financial commitments if you are forced to take an extended break from work. If you can’t work because you’ve had an accident, fallen sick, or lost your job through no fault of your own, income protection insurance pays you an agreed portion of your salary each month.

Income protection is particularly helpful for people in dangerous occupations who want to be sure their mortgage will always be covered. Income protection only covers events beyond your control: you’re much less likely to be covered if you’re fired from your job or if you injure yourself deliberately.

Questions to ask yourself regarding life insurance

Just ask yourself:
👉 Who would pay your mortgage or rent if you were to pass away or fall seriously ill?
👉 Who would pay for your family’s food, clothing, study fees or lifestyle?
👉 Who would provide for the costs of your funeral or clear your debts?
👉 Who would pay for your costs if you're unable to work due to serious illness or disability?

Many families don’t realise that life, income protection and critical illness insurance is one of the most effective ways to protect their finances. A great insurance policy can cover costs, protect a family from inheriting debts and even pay off a mortgage.

Many would think that the costs for all the benefits provided by life insurance, income protection insurance or critical illness insurance are too high, but the great news is in the current market policies are actually very inexpensive.

Benefits offered by income protection, life and critical illness insurance

Life insurance, income protection and critical illness insurance are indispensable for every family because a child loses a parent every 22 minutes in the UK, while every single day tragically 60 people suffer major injuries on the UK roads. Some people become unable to work because of sickness or disability.

Life insurance cover pays out a lump sum to your family, loved ones or whomever you choose to get the money. This can be used to secure the financial future of your loved ones meaning they would not have to struggle financially in the event of your death.

If it's a critical illness cover, the payout happens sooner - upon diagnosis of a serious illness, disability or medical condition, easing the financial hardship such an event inevitably brings.

Income protection insurance can be very important for anyone who relies on a pay check to cover their living costs, but it's especially important if you’re self-employed or own a small business, where your employment and income is a bit less stable. It pays a regular income if you can't work because of sickness or disability and continues until you return to paid work or you retire.

In a world where 1 in 4 of us would struggle financially after just four weeks without work, the stark reality hits hard – a mere 7% of UK adults possess the vital shield of income protection. The urgency of safeguarding our financial well-being has never been more palpable.

Let's face it – relying on savings isn't a solution for everyone. Almost 25% of people have no savings at all, and a whopping 50% have £1,000 or less tucked away. Even more concerning, 51% of Brits – that's a huge 27 million people – wouldn't last more than one month living off their savings. That's a 10% increase from 2022.

And don't even think about state benefits being a safety net. The maximum you can expect from statutory sick pay is a mere £109.40 per week for up to 28 weeks. Not exactly a financial lifeline, right?

Now, let's tackle a common objection: "But I have critical illness insurance. I don't need income protection too." Here's the deal – the two policies apply to very different situations. In a nutshell:

  • Critical illness insurance pays a single lump sum if you're diagnosed with or undergo surgery for a specified potentially life-threatening illness. It's great for handling big one-off expenses or debts.
  • Income protection, on the other hand, pays a percentage of your salary as a regular payment if you can't work due to illness or injury. It's the superhero that tackles those relentless monthly bills.

Types of life insurance policies

Common reasons for getting a life insurance policy are to:
✅ Leave behind an amount of money to keep your family comfortable
✅ Protect the family home and pay off the mortgage in full or in part
✅ Pay for funeral costs

Starting from as little as a couple of pounds per week, you can do all that with a Life Policy.

Level Term Life Insurance
One of the simplest forms of life insurance, level term life insurance works by selecting a length of time for which you would want to be covered and then deciding how much you would like your loved ones to receive should the worst happen. Should your life insurance policy pay out to your family, it would be in a lump sum amount that can be used in whatever way the beneficiary may wish.

Decreasing Term Life Insurance
Decreasing term life insurance works in the same way as level term, except the lump sum payment amount upon death decreases with time. The common use for decreasing term life cover is to protect against mortgage repayment as the lump sum decreases along with the principal of the mortgage itself.

Increasing Term Life Insurance
Increasing term life insurance aims to pay out a cash sum growing each year if the worst happens while covered by the policy. With increasing term life cover amount insured increases annually by a fixed amount for the length of the policy. This can protect your policy's value against inflation, which could be advantageous if you’re looking to maintain your loved ones’ living standards, continue paying off your mortgage in line with its repayment schedule and cover your children’s education fees.

Whole of Life Insurance
Whereas term life insurance policies only pay out if you pass away during their term, whole of life insurance pays out to your beneficiaries whenever this should happen. The most common uses for whole life insurance are to cover the costs of a funeral or as a vehicle for your family's inheritance tax planning.

Family Income Benefit
Family income benefit is a somewhat lesser-known product in the family of life insurance products. Paying out a set amount every month of year to your beneficiaries, it is the most cost-effective way of maintaining your family's living standards to an age where you'd expect them to be able to support themselves financially. The most common use would be for a family with children who are not working yet so are unable to take care of themselves financially.

Relevant Life Insurance
Relevant Life Insurance is a tax-efficient policy for a director or single employee. A simple level term life insurance product, it is placed in a specific trust to ensure its tax efficiency. The premiums are tax deductible and any benefit payable should a claim arise is also paid out tax free, which makes it an attractive product for entrepreneurs and their businesses.

Important Fact!

There is no need to wait until the renewal of your current policy.
We can look at a more suitable option mid-term!

Why is it important to get life insurance early?

👉 Many people are very thankful that they had their life, income protection, and critical illness insurance cover in place before running into some serious issues. Critical illness and income protection insurance is as important as life insurance for protecting your family's finances.

👉 We insure our cars, houses, bicycles and even bags! Yet our life and health are the most precious things we have.

Easily one of the most important insurance purchases an individual or family can make in their lifetime, the decision to buy life, income protection, critical illness and private medical health insurance can be made much simpler with the help of FCA-authorised advisers. They are the specialists who do the searching and analysis helping people choose between various types of life insurance policies available in the market, including income protection, critical illness and other types of policies most suitable to the client's individual circumstances.

It certainly won't do any harm if you speak with one of our experienced FCA-authorised insurance partner experts who are passionate about advising people on financial matters related to life insurance and are keen to provide you with a free consultation.

You can discuss with them in detail what affordable life, income protection, critical illness or private medical health insurance plan for the necessary peace of mind they would recommend! WeCovr works with some of the best advisers in the market.

By tapping the button below, you can book a free call with them in less than 30 seconds right now:

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Any questions?

Life, income protection, and/or critical illness insurance are safety nets, very important at a difficult time. If anything happened to you before your cover ends, your life or critical illness insurance would pay a lump sum to your family and/or you (if you took a critical illness or income protection cover) to help cover the losses. Being diagnosed with a critical illness can be devastating, and it won't help matters to be also worrying about how you would cope financially. With a life, income protection, or critical illness policy, you can choose how much cover you need, how you want the policy to pay out, and whether you want cover for both you and your partner. Income protection insurance pays you a regular income if you can't work because of sickness or disability and continues until you return to paid work or you retire. Also known as permanent health insurance, it is quite important for anyone who relies on a paycheck to cover their living costs, but it's particularly important if you're self-employed or own a small business, where your income might be a bit less stable.

Life, income protection, and critical illness insurance pay out millions to families every day. Your expert will explain to you that you need to be honest and open when applying for your insurance.

If you're single with no dependants then it may be that you don't need life assurance. However, if you were to become seriously ill and unable to work, you may benefit from a critical illness or income protection policy. They can help you keep up to date with your rent, bills, food, and other expenses.

It's free to use WeCovr to find life, income protection, and critical illness insurance - we never charge you for quotes. Critical illness, income protection, and life insurance is an investment that pays many times over for you and/or your loved ones.

Life, income protection, and critical illness insurance are important financial products that insurance companies take a lot of care and diligence, so speaking to real human beings ensures that they understand your requirements fully so that you can get the right cover.

All of our partners are carefully vetted and authorised by the FCA, which means they are held to the highest standards that the FCA expects from them and treat all customers fairly!

Our insurance partners give us a few pounds when you take out a policy with one of their experts.

The cost of life insurance depends on several factors, including your age, occupation, health status, and the level of coverage you choose. Your life insurance policy is tailored to your needs, and the cost can vary based on the sum assured, policy term, and other factors.

Some life insurance policies offer an option to add critical illness cover as a rider or as a separate policy. This provides a lump sum payment if you are diagnosed with a critical illness covered by your policy, offering financial support during a difficult time.

Yes, life insurance is available to self-employed individuals to provide financial protection for their loved ones in the event of their death. It ensures that your family can maintain their standard of living and cover expenses such as mortgage payments, bills, and education costs.

If you outlive your life insurance policy and it expires without a claim, you will not receive any payout. Term life insurance policies are designed to provide coverage for a specific period, and once that period ends, the policy terminates without any residual value. However, you can typically renew or purchase a new policy if you still need coverage.

Critical illness insurance provides a lump sum payment if you're diagnosed with a serious illness covered by your policy, offering financial support during a difficult time. It can help cover medical expenses, mortgage payments, and other financial obligations while you focus on recovery.

Critical illness insurance covers a range of serious illnesses and medical conditions specified in your policy, such as cancer, heart attack, stroke, and organ failure. The lump sum payment can be used to cover medical treatment, ongoing care, and living expenses during your recovery.

The cost of critical illness insurance varies depending on factors such as your age, health status, lifestyle, and the level of coverage you choose. Our experts can provide personalised quotes to help you find affordable coverage.

Yes, you can have critical illness insurance alongside your health insurance coverage. Critical illness insurance provides additional financial protection specifically for serious illnesses, complementing your health insurance benefits.

Critical illness insurance policies typically have exclusions for pre-existing conditions and certain medical conditions not covered by the policy. It's essential to review the terms and conditions of your policy to understand what is and isn't covered.

Some critical illness insurance policies may provide coverage for recurring illnesses, while others may not. It's crucial to review the policy terms and understand the specific conditions under which you can make additional claims for recurring illnesses. Your insurer can provide more details on their coverage for recurring critical illnesses.

Yes, you can customise your life insurance policy to suit your individual needs and circumstances. Options may include choosing the sum assured, policy term, premium payment frequency, and additional riders for enhanced coverage.

If you miss a premium payment for your life insurance policy, your coverage may lapse, and your policy could be terminated. However, many insurers offer a grace period during which you can make the payment to keep your policy active. It's essential to contact your insurer to discuss your options if you're unable to make a payment.

Yes, you can typically change the beneficiary of your life insurance policy at any time by completing a beneficiary change form provided by your insurer. It's essential to keep your beneficiary designation up to date to ensure that the proceeds are distributed according to your wishes.

Term life insurance provides cover for a fixed period, such as 10, 20 or 30 years, and pays out a lump sum if you die during that time. It’s often chosen to protect a mortgage or to provide financial support while dependants still rely on your income. Whole-of-life insurance is designed to last for the rest of your life and guarantees a payout whenever you die, as long as premiums are maintained. It’s usually more expensive than term insurance and is sometimes used to help with inheritance tax planning or to leave a guaranteed legacy.

Some term life insurance policies offer the option to convert to a whole life insurance policy without the need for a medical exam or new underwriting. This conversion feature allows you to maintain coverage beyond the term of your policy and provides lifelong protection.

Some life insurance policies offer accelerated death benefits or living benefits that allow you to access a portion of the death benefit if you are diagnosed with a terminal illness. This feature provides financial assistance to help cover medical expenses and other costs during your final months.

While having savings can provide a financial cushion during tough times, income protection insurance offers additional security by replacing a portion of your income if you're unable to work due to illness or disability. It ensures that you can maintain your standard of living and cover essential expenses even if your savings are depleted.

Yes, self-employed individuals can claim income protection insurance if they're unable to work due to illness or disability. Income protection provides a regular income stream to replace lost earnings, helping self-employed individuals cover their living expenses and business costs during periods of incapacity.

The waiting period, also known as the elimination period, is the length of time you must wait after becoming unable to work due to illness or disability before you can start receiving benefits from your income protection insurance policy. Waiting periods typically range from 30 to 90 days, but longer waiting periods may result in lower premiums.

Income protection insurance is designed to provide financial support if you're unable to work due to illness or disability, not for redundancy. However, some policies may offer optional redundancy cover or unemployment cover as an additional benefit, providing a lump sum or monthly payments if you're made redundant.

The tax treatment of income protection insurance benefits depends on whether the premiums were paid with pre-tax or after-tax dollars. Benefits from policies funded with after-tax dollars are typically tax-free, while benefits from policies funded with pre-tax dollars may be subject to income tax. It's essential to consult with a tax advisor to understand the tax implications of your income protection insurance benefits.

Income protection insurance provides a regular income stream if you're unable to work due to illness or disability, while critical illness insurance provides a lump sum payment if you're diagnosed with a covered critical illness, such as cancer, heart attack, or stroke. Critical illness insurance offers financial support to cover medical expenses, living costs, or other obligations during your recovery.

Income protection insurance policies typically have a waiting period (also known as an elimination period) during which you do not receive benefits. If you become unable to work before this waiting period ends, you will not receive any income protection benefits until the waiting period has elapsed. It's important to have sufficient savings or other financial resources to cover your expenses during this initial period.

Many income protection insurance policies allow you to increase your coverage amount if your income rises, without the need for additional underwriting or medical examinations. This feature, sometimes called a 'guaranteed insurability option,' ensures that your coverage keeps pace with your increasing income and financial obligations.

The maximum age to purchase critical illness insurance varies depending on the insurer and the specific policy. While some insurers may offer critical illness insurance up to age 70 or beyond, others may have lower age limits. It's essential to check with insurers to determine their age eligibility criteria for purchasing critical illness insurance.

Whether you can get critical illness insurance if you have pre-existing conditions depends on the insurer's underwriting guidelines and the specific medical conditions. Some insurers may offer coverage with exclusions for pre-existing conditions, while others may decline coverage altogether. It's essential to disclose any pre-existing conditions when applying for critical illness insurance and discuss your options with insurers.

While health insurance provides coverage for medical expenses, critical illness insurance offers financial protection for broader expenses associated with a serious illness, such as lost income, household bills, and lifestyle changes. Critical illness insurance complements health insurance by providing additional financial support during a challenging time, ensuring that you can focus on recovery without worrying about financial burdens.

If you don't make a claim on your critical illness insurance during the policy term, you won't receive a benefit payout. However, having critical illness insurance provides peace of mind knowing that you're financially protected if you're diagnosed with a covered critical illness during the policy term. It's a form of financial preparation for unexpected events and offers valuable protection for you and your family.

If you outlive your critical illness insurance policy and don't make a claim for a covered critical illness during the policy term, the coverage will expire, and you won't receive a benefit payout. Critical illness insurance provides financial protection for a specific period, typically until a specified age or policy term, and offers peace of mind knowing that you're prepared for the unexpected.

Yes, many insurers offer optional riders or add-ons that you can add to your critical illness insurance policy for enhanced coverage. Common riders may include waiver of premium, which waives future premium payments if you become disabled, or return of premium, which refunds a portion of your premiums if you don't make a claim during the policy term. It's essential to review available riders with insurers to customise your coverage to meet your specific needs.

To make a claim on your critical illness insurance policy, you'll need to notify your insurer of your diagnosis and submit a claim form along with any required medical documentation, such as medical reports, test results, and physician statements. Once your claim is reviewed and approved by the insurer, you'll receive the lump sum benefit payment, which you can use to cover medical expenses, living costs, or other financial needs during your recovery.

As we age, the likelihood of encountering health complications increases for us all. In the event that you develop a severe medical condition, critical illness protection can assist with the expenses of crucial bills – enabling you to concentrate on recuperation or adjusting to your new health circumstance.

The typical expense of a Critical Illness protection policy will fluctuate based on aspects such as your age and medical background. As per our investigation, you can secure a policy starting from as low as £8 (for a non-smoking 21-year-old individual).

The most prevalent critical illnesses in the UK are cancer, cardiac arrest, and cerebrovascular accident (stroke).

Cancer is one of the primary causes for critical illness insurance claims in the UK. Cancer constitutes over 80% of critical illness cover claims for females and about 45% of critical illness claims for males.


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