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UK 2025 Shock Over 1 in 3 Britons Sacrifice Essential Health Due to Cost

UK 2025 Shock Over 1 in 3 Britons Sacrifice Essential...

UK 2025 Shock Over 1 in 3 Britons Sacrifice Essential Health Due to Cost

UK 2025 Shock Over 1 in 3 Britons Sacrifice Essential Health Due to Cost-of-Living Crisis, Fueling a £2.2 Million+ Lifetime Burden of Escalating Illness & Financial Ruin – Your PMI Pathway to Urgent Care & LCIIP Shielding Your Future & Your Familys Prosperity

A silent health crisis is unfolding across the United Kingdom. In 2025, hammered by persistent inflation and stagnant wage growth, a shocking one in three Britons are now actively sacrificing essential healthcare to make ends meet. This isn't just about skipping luxuries; it's about making devastating choices—delaying vital dental work, forgoing sight-saving eye tests, and even rationing prescription medication.

This national trend of health neglect, born from financial desperation, is creating a ticking time bomb. A simple, treatable issue ignored today metastasizes into a complex, life-altering condition tomorrow. The consequences are not just physical. They are catastrophically financial, capable of creating a lifetime burden of escalating illness and economic ruin that can exceed a staggering £2.2 million.

This figure represents the combined devastation of lost income, crippling private treatment bills, long-term care costs, and the financial ripple effect on an entire family. It's a future where your health and your wealth are intrinsically, and perilously, linked.

But there is a pathway to safety. This definitive guide will illuminate the stark reality of the UK's cost-of-living health crisis and reveal how a robust, personalised shield of Private Medical Insurance (PMI) and LCIIP (Life, Critical Illness, and Income Protection) is no longer a luxury, but an essential strategy for safeguarding your health, your finances, and your family's prosperity.

The Unseen Health Crisis: How Financial Strain is Sabotaging UK Health in 2025

The headlines are dominated by energy bills and food prices, but the most dangerous consequence of the cost-of-living crisis is the one happening behind closed doors, in cancelled appointments and ignored symptoms. Fresh 2025 data paints a grim picture of a nation's health being systematically undermined by financial pressure.

This isn't a vague statistic; it represents millions of individual stories of risk and sacrifice.

Dental Despair: A Nation Gritting Its Teeth

The most common casualty of cost-cutting is dental health. With NHS dentistry in crisis and private fees soaring, millions are resorting to dangerous alternatives.

  • Alarming Statistics: A 2025 YouGov poll found that 1 in 4 adults have delayed dental treatment due to cost. * The True Cost of Neglect: A simple filling costing £70 today can, if neglected, lead to a root canal and crown costing over £1,000. If the tooth is lost, a dental implant can set you back more than £2,500. A minor expense becomes a major financial blow.

Vision Blurred by Costs

Optician appointments are another 'non-essential' being axed from family budgets. The nominal cost of a test (around £25) is proving a barrier for many, with potentially devastating long-term consequences.

  • Risks Ignored: An eye test is not just for updating your prescription. It's a critical health screening that can detect early signs of glaucoma, cataracts, diabetes-related retinopathy, and even brain tumours.
  • A Growing Blind Spot: The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) estimates that in 2025, over 250,000 people are living with sight-threatening conditions that could have been managed or prevented with a timely diagnosis from a routine eye test.

The Prescription Predicament

For those living in England, the £9.90 prescription charge per item can be a significant barrier to managing chronic conditions.

  • A Painful Choice: The Prescription Charges Coalition reports that nearly 1 in 10 people have skipped collecting a prescription due to its cost in the past year. This includes medication for conditions like asthma, high blood pressure, and depression.
  • The Domino Effect: Failing to manage a condition like hypertension with a simple, low-cost medication dramatically increases the risk of a catastrophic and costly event like a heart attack or stroke.

The Crushing Mental Health Toll

Financial stress is a known accelerant for mental health issues like anxiety and depression. Yet, access to therapy and counselling—services crucial for managing these conditions—is also being sacrificed.

  • Access Denied: With NHS talking therapy waiting lists exceeding 18 weeks in many areas, private therapy is the only option for timely support. At £50-£150 per session, this is an impossible expense for millions, leaving them to struggle alone as their condition worsens.

This widespread health neglect creates a pipeline of escalating illness, feeding directly into an overwhelmed NHS and, for the individual, a potential financial abyss.

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The £2.2 Million Ticking Time Bomb: Calculating the True Lifetime Cost of Delayed Healthcare

The figure of £2.2 million might seem abstract, but it represents the very real, cumulative financial devastation that a single, serious illness—an illness that could have been caught earlier—can inflict upon a family over a lifetime.

Let's break down this catastrophic cost through a plausible, worst-case scenario:

Meet David, a 42-year-old marketing manager, husband, and father of two. He earns £60,000 per year.

David has been ignoring persistent fatigue and a nagging cough for six months, putting it down to stress and not wanting to take time off work. When he finally sees a doctor, the diagnosis is a shock: an aggressive form of lung cancer that has spread. Had it been caught earlier, the prognosis and treatment would have been simpler. Now, he faces a life-changing battle.

Here is how the £2.2 million+ lifetime financial burden accumulates:

Cost ComponentCalculation DetailsLifetime Financial Impact
Lost Earnings (David)Unable to work. £60k salary x 23 years to retirement (age 65).£1,380,000
Spouse's Lost EarningsHis wife, Sarah, reduces her work hours to become his primary carer, losing £15k/year for 10 years.£150,000
Private Treatment CostsTo access a promising new immunotherapy not yet on the NHS, the family uses their life savings and remortgages the house.£150,000
Long-Term Care CostsIn later stages, David requires specialist home care and hospice services not fully covered by the state. £60k/year for 5 years.£300,000
Home Modifications & ExpensesStairlift, accessible bathroom, wheelchair, increased energy bills, travel to specialist centres.£75,000
Lost Pension ContributionsCessation of David's and reduction in Sarah's pension contributions, impacting their retirement security.£200,000
Total Lifetime BurdenThe cumulative financial devastation inflicted on the family.£2,255,000

This harrowing scenario illustrates a crucial point: a serious illness isn't just a health event; it's an economic catastrophe that decimates a family's present and future. It erases savings, destroys careers, and steals a family's prosperity. This is the true price of a health system under strain and the risk millions are unknowingly taking.

Your First Line of Defence: Private Medical Insurance (PMI) as Your Urgent Care Pathway

While the NHS remains a national treasure, its resources are stretched to breaking point. In mid-2025, the official NHS waiting list in England hovers at a record 7.7 million treatment pathways, with many thousands waiting over a year for routine procedures. Private Medical Insurance (PMI) is the definitive solution to this challenge. It works alongside the NHS to provide you with speed, choice, and control over your healthcare.

Key Benefits of a Modern PMI Policy

  • Obliterate Waiting Lists: The core benefit of PMI is bypassing the queues. A consultation that could take months on the NHS can happen in days. A surgery with a year-long wait can be scheduled for the next month.
  • Choice and Control: You choose the specialist consultant you want to see and the hospital where you want to be treated, from a nationwide network of high-quality private facilities. Appointments are made to suit your schedule, not the other way around.
  • Access to Specialist Drugs & Treatments: PMI policies often provide cover for breakthrough drugs, therapies, and procedures that have been approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) but are not yet available on the NHS due to funding decisions. This can be life-changing, particularly in cancer care.
  • Enhanced Comfort and Privacy: A private en-suite room, flexible visiting hours, and better food can make a significant difference to your comfort and recovery during a stressful time.
  • Immediate Access to Digital GPs & Mental Health Support: Most leading PMI plans now include 24/7 digital GP services as standard. You can have a video consultation from your home or office, often within hours, getting immediate advice and referrals. They also include pathways to mental health support, directly tackling the therapy access crisis.

At WeCovr, we specialise in demystifying the world of PMI. We help you navigate the various options, comparing policies from Aviva, Bupa, AXA, Vitality and more to find a plan that secures your health without straining your budget.

NHS vs. PMI: A 2025 Head-to-Head Comparison

FeatureNHSPrivate Medical Insurance (PMI)
GP AppointmentDays or weeksSame-day or next-day (via Digital GP)
Specialist ReferralMonthsDays or weeks
Diagnostic Scans (MRI/CT)6-12+ weeks waitWithin 1-2 weeks
Surgery (e.g., Hip)40-60+ weeks waitWithin 4-6 weeks
Choice of HospitalLimited to your local trustNationwide choice of private hospitals
Choice of ConsultantNone - assignedYou choose your specialist
Cancer DrugsStandard NHS listAccess to wider range of specialist drugs
Hospital StayShared wardPrivate, en-suite room
Mental Health SupportLong waiting listsFast access to counselling & therapy

The contrast is stark. PMI provides a parallel system that offers the speed and choice the public system, for all its strengths, can no longer guarantee.

The Financial Safety Net: Shielding Your Future with LCIIP

While PMI deals with the immediate treatment of an illness, it doesn't pay your mortgage or replace your salary. That is the job of the 'LCIIP' trio: Life Insurance, Critical Illness Cover, and Income Protection. Together, they form a comprehensive financial shield against the devastation outlined in our £2.2 million scenario.

Life Insurance: Your Family's Foundation

Life Insurance is the bedrock of financial planning. It's a promise to your loved ones that they will be financially secure even if the worst happens to you.

  • What it is: A policy that pays out a tax-free lump sum to your beneficiaries upon your death.
  • Who needs it: Anyone with financial dependents (children, spouse), a mortgage, or significant personal debts.
  • How it protects prosperity: The payout can pay off the mortgage entirely, cover funeral costs, clear outstanding loans, and provide a substantial fund to replace your lost income, ensuring your family can maintain their standard of living and future aspirations, like university fees.

Critical Illness Cover (CIC): Your Shield Against Financial Ruin

Critical Illness Cover is the direct antidote to the financial chaos a serious diagnosis can cause. It’s designed to protect you while you are still alive.

  • What it is: A policy that pays out a tax-free lump sum if you are diagnosed with one of a list of predefined serious conditions.
  • How it helps: The money is yours to use as you see fit. You could use it to:
    • Pay your mortgage for a year or two while you recover.
    • Fund private medical treatment not covered by PMI or the NHS.
    • Adapt your home (e.g., install a ramp or stairlift).
    • Replace your lost income or allow your partner to take time off work to care for you.
    • Simply reduce financial stress, allowing you to focus 100% on your recovery.

The conditions covered are the ones most likely to have a major impact on your life and finances.

Top 5 Critical Illness Claims (UK 2024/25 ABI Data)Percentage of Claims
Cancer~60%
Heart Attack~12%
Stroke~7%
Multiple Sclerosis~4%
Benign Brain Tumour~3%

Income Protection (IP): Your Personal Salary Insurance

Often described by financial experts as the most essential insurance policy of all, Income Protection protects your single greatest asset: your ability to earn a living.

  • 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. It's not limited to a specific list of critical conditions. A bad back, stress, or any medical issue signed off by a doctor can trigger a claim.
  • The Power of IP: The UK's Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is just £116.75 per week (2024/25 rate)—barely enough to cover groceries, let alone a mortgage. An IP policy can replace up to 60-70% of your gross salary, paying out each month until you either return to work, the policy term ends, or you retire.
  • How it works: You choose a "deferral period" when you take out the policy—this is the time you're willing to wait before the payments start (e.g., 1 month, 3 months, 6 months). A longer deferral period means a lower premium.

Weaving Your Personalised Protection Quilt: How PMI and LCIIP Work Together

These policies are not mutually exclusive; they are designed to interlock, creating a seamless quilt of protection that covers you from every angle. Let's revisit our earlier scenario, but this time with a protection plan in place.

The Case of Mark, the Self-Employed Builder (With Protection)

Mark, 45, is a self-employed builder. He develops a persistent back pain but, unlike before, he has a plan.

  1. Immediate Action (PMI): He doesn't ignore the pain. He uses the 24/7 Digital GP service on his PMI policy. The GP suspects a disc issue and refers him immediately.
  2. Swift Diagnosis (PMI): Mark sees a private spinal consultant within a week. An MRI scan is booked for three days later, revealing a severely herniated disc requiring surgery. The surgery is scheduled in a private hospital for three weeks' time. The entire process takes less than a month, compared to a potential 18-month journey of pain and uncertainty on the NHS.
  3. Financial Stability (Income Protection): As a self-employed builder, Mark has no sick pay. However, his Income Protection policy has a 4-week deferral period. From week 5, it starts paying him £2,500 a month (60% of his average income), tax-free. His mortgage and bills are paid, and the family finances remain stable while he is unable to work.
  4. Catastrophe Averted (Critical Illness Cover): Let's imagine the MRI had revealed a spinal tumour (a specified critical illness). His CIC policy would pay out a £100,000 tax-free lump sum. This money would give his family incredible breathing space, allowing them to clear their credit card debt and car loan, removing all financial pressure during the most stressful time of their lives.
  5. Ultimate Peace of Mind (Life Insurance): Throughout this ordeal, Mark knows that if his condition were to become terminal, his Life Insurance policy would pay off the mortgage and leave his family with a significant inheritance, securing their future.

In this scenario, a health crisis is still a health crisis, but it is not a financial one. The family's prosperity is shielded. This is the power of a holistic protection strategy.

Making Protection Affordable: A Guide to Managing Costs

In a cost-of-living crisis, the idea of paying for insurance can seem counterintuitive. However, it's about re-framing the cost: it's a small, manageable monthly expense designed to prevent a catastrophic, unmanageable future debt. And there are many ways to make it affordable.

Cost-Saving Strategies

  • Choose Your Level: You don't need the most expensive, all-inclusive plan. For PMI, you could choose a plan that only covers diagnostics and surgery, relying on the NHS for initial consultations. For LCIIP, some cover is infinitely better than no cover.
  • Adjust Your Excess: Just like with car insurance, agreeing to pay a higher excess (the initial part of a claim) on your PMI policy can significantly reduce your monthly premiums.
  • The 6-Week Wait Option (PMI): This clever option can cut PMI premiums by up to 30%. If the NHS can treat you within six weeks for a specific condition, you use the NHS. If the wait is longer, your private cover kicks in. It's a safety net for when the NHS is under most pressure.
  • Fine-Tune Your Deferral Period (IP): If you have good employer sick pay or could survive on savings for 6 months, choosing a 6-month deferral period for your Income Protection will make it far cheaper than a 1-month period.
  • Guaranteed vs. Reviewable Premiums: For Life and Critical Illness cover, 'guaranteed' premiums are fixed for the life of the policy. They start slightly higher but offer long-term certainty. 'Reviewable' premiums start lower but can increase over time. Choosing the right one depends on your budget and long-term view.

The Invaluable Role of an Expert Broker

Navigating these options alone is complex and time-consuming. This is where an expert, independent broker like WeCovr becomes your most powerful ally. We don't just give you a list of prices.

  • We take the time to understand your unique circumstances, budget, and concerns.
  • We compare policies and features from across the entire UK market, explaining the jargon and the trade-offs.
  • We leverage our expertise to structure a multi-product package that provides maximum protection for your budget, ensuring there are no gaps.

What's more, as part of our commitment to our clients' long-term wellbeing, we provide complimentary access to our AI-powered nutrition app, CalorieHero. We believe in proactive health, and this is just another way we go beyond the policy to support your entire health journey.

Your Next Steps to a Secure and Healthy Future

The connection between the cost-of-living crisis and the nation's health is undeniable and dangerous. Ignoring a health concern today is a gamble on your future, risking not only your well-being but your entire financial stability.

The good news is that you have the power to take control. You can build a fortress around your health and your wealth. The solution is proactive, affordable, and accessible.

  1. Acknowledge the Risk: Understand that the £2.2 million burden is not hyperbole. It is the potential reality of a health crisis turning into a financial catastrophe. Your income is your biggest asset; protect it.
  2. Assess Your Situation: Look at your mortgage, your debts, your savings, and the people who depend on you. What would happen if your income stopped tomorrow?
  3. Take Action: Don't wait for a health scare. The best time to arrange protection is when you are young and healthy, as this is when premiums are at their lowest.

The path to a secure future begins with a simple conversation. Contact our friendly team at WeCovr today for a no-obligation chat. Let us help you build your personalised shield, securing not just your health, but your family's entire financial future.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Isn't the NHS enough? Why do I need PMI?

The NHS is essential for accidents, emergencies, and chronic condition management. However, for non-urgent diagnostics and elective surgery, it is facing unprecedented strain, resulting in long and often painful waits. PMI is your pathway to bypass these queues, offering speed, choice, and access to a wider range of treatments, ensuring a health issue is resolved quickly before it can escalate.

I'm young and healthy. Do I really need this cover?

This is the absolute best time to get it. Insurance premiums are calculated based on risk, so the younger and healthier you are, the lower your premiums will be for the entire term of the policy. Securing a policy now locks in that low price and protects you against the unexpected illnesses and accidents that can happen at any age.

Can I afford Life Insurance, Critical Illness and Income Protection?

It is almost certainly more affordable than you think. A healthy 30-year-old can often get significant life and critical illness cover for the price of a few weekly coffees. An expert broker can design a blended package that prioritises your biggest risks and fits within a monthly budget you are comfortable with. Even a small amount of cover is infinitely better than having none at all.

What's the difference between Critical Illness Cover and Income Protection?

They serve two different but complementary purposes. Critical Illness Cover pays a one-off, tax-free lump sum on the diagnosis of a specified major illness, ideal for clearing debts or funding large one-off costs. Income Protection pays a regular, tax-free monthly income if you're unable to work due to any illness or injury, designed to replace your salary and cover ongoing living costs. Many people benefit from having both.

How does a broker like WeCovr help?

An expert broker saves you time and money. Instead of you approaching individual insurers, we use our knowledge and technology to scan the entire market in minutes. We provide impartial advice, explain the complex differences between policies, help you with the application forms, and fight your corner to ensure you get the best possible cover at the most competitive price. Our service is focused on finding you the right value, not just the cheapest price.


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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