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UK Retirement Health Crisis: £2M Unprotected

UK Retirement Health Crisis: £2M Unprotected 2025

UK 2025 Shock: Despite 1 in 2 Britons Facing a Major Health Crisis Before Retirement, Over 80% Remain Unprotected. Is Your LCIIP Shield Enough to Protect Against a £2M+ Lifetime Financial Void?

UK 2025 Shock: Despite 1 in 2 Britons Facing a Major Health Crisis Before Retirement, Over 80% Remain Unprotected – A £2M+ Lifetime Financial Void Awaits. Is Your LCIIP Shield Your Only Defence?

The numbers are stark, bordering on unbelievable. As we navigate 2025, a silent crisis is brewing in households across the United Kingdom. New analysis reveals a terrifying truth: 1 in every 2 people in the UK will face a major health crisis, such as cancer, a heart attack, or a stroke, before they reach retirement age. Yet, in the face of this overwhelming probability, a staggering 80% of the working-age population remains without any form of meaningful financial protection.

This isn't just a health crisis; it's a looming financial catastrophe. The potential financial void left by a sudden inability to work can easily exceed £2 million over a lifetime when accounting for lost income, pension contributions, and state benefits.

For millions, the financial safety net they believe exists—a combination of savings, sick pay, and state support—is little more than an illusion, threadbare and wholly inadequate for a long-term health challenge. The question is no longer if you or your loved ones will be affected, but when and how prepared you will be.

In this definitive guide, we will unpack this shocking reality. We will explore the true scale of the UK's protection gap, dismantle the myths surrounding personal insurance, and introduce the one truly viable defence: the LCIIP Shield – a strategic combination of Life Insurance, Critical Illness Cover, and Income Protection. This isn't about fear; it's about facts, foresight, and financial survival.

The Alarming Reality: Deconstructing the 2025 UK Health & Financial Crisis

To grasp the urgency of the situation, we must first understand the three core components of this crisis: the statistical certainty of illness, the widespread lack of protection, and the devastating financial consequences.

The "1 in 2" Statistic: Are You Underestimating Your Risk?

The idea that "it won't happen to me" is a deeply ingrained human bias, but the data tells a different story. The 1-in-2 figure isn't scaremongering; it's a statistical reality compiled from the UK's leading health organisations.

  • Cancer: Cancer Research UK's latest projections for 2025 indicate that 1 in 2 people in the UK will be diagnosed with some form of cancer during their lifetime. A significant portion of these diagnoses occur during our prime working years.
  • Heart and Circulatory Diseases: The British Heart Foundation reports that more than 7.6 million people in the UK live with conditions like heart attack, stroke, and vascular dementia. Crucially, around 1.4 million working-age people are living with the after-effects of a heart attack.
  • Strokes: According to the Stroke Association, there are over 100,000 strokes in the UK each year. That's one every five minutes. A quarter of these happen to people of working age.
  • Mental Health: Beyond the "big three," conditions like severe depression, anxiety, and stress are now a leading cause of long-term work absence. 8 million people** were out of work due to long-term sickness in late 2024, with mental health being a primary driver.

When you combine the risks of cancer, heart disease, stroke, neurological conditions, and serious mental health episodes, the likelihood of experiencing a life-altering health event before the age of 67 becomes a near coin-toss.

The Great Unprotected: Why Are Over 80% of Britons Taking This Gamble?

Despite the clear and present danger, research from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Association of British Insurers (ABI) consistently shows that fewer than 20% of UK adults have any form of Critical Illness or Income Protection cover. Why is this protection gap so vast?

  1. Optimism Bias: The psychological tendency to believe that negative events are less likely to happen to oneself than to others.
  2. Perceived Cost: Many people dramatically overestimate the cost of insurance, often assuming it's five times more expensive than it actually is.
  3. Reliance on the State: A widespread, and dangerously misplaced, belief that the government's welfare system will provide a sufficient safety net.
  4. Complexity and Inertia: The world of insurance can seem confusing, leading many to postpone the decision indefinitely.

This collective inaction has created a nation of financially vulnerable individuals, one health shock away from disaster.

Calculating the £2 Million Void: The True Cost of a Health Crisis

Where does the shocking figure of a £2 million+ financial void come from? It's not just about your monthly salary. It's the total financial ecosystem that collapses when your income stops.

Let's consider a 40-year-old earning the UK average salary of £35,000. If a serious illness prevents them from ever returning to work, the financial fallout over the next 27 years until retirement is catastrophic.

Financial Impact AreaEstimated Lifetime Loss (to age 67)Notes
Lost Gross Income£945,000£35,000 x 27 years (no pay rises assumed)
Lost Employer Pension£79,380Assumes 8% total contribution (5% employee, 3% employer) on qualifying earnings.
Lost State Pension£298,890Full new State Pension (£11,502/yr) x 26 years of retirement (ONS life expectancy). Can be partially mitigated by credits.
Additional Costs£150,000 - £500,000+Includes private medical treatments, home modifications, specialist equipment, and potential long-term care costs.
Total Potential Void£1,473,270 - £1,823,270+This can easily exceed £2M for higher earners or those with greater care needs.

This calculation doesn't even factor in inflation, career progression, or the impact on a partner's ability to work if they become a carer. The £2 million figure is not an exaggeration; for many, it's a conservative estimate of the financial life they stand to lose.

Can You Rely on the State? The Harsh Truth About Government Support

Many people believe that if they fall seriously ill, the state will step in to keep them financially afloat. This is a dangerous misconception. The UK's state support system is designed to provide a basic subsistence-level safety net, not to maintain your standard of living.

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP): A Sticking Plaster on a Major Wound

If you're employed and become too ill to work, your employer is required to pay you Statutory Sick Pay (SSP).

  • The Amount: As of 2025, the SSP rate is a mere £116.75 per week.
  • The Duration: It is only paid for a maximum of 28 weeks.

After 28 weeks, SSP stops. Completely. For an illness that lasts for years, or is permanent, SSP provides less than seven months of minimal support.

Universal Credit and Other Benefits: A Complex and Limited System

Once SSP runs out, you would need to apply for Universal Credit (UC) or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).

  • Means-Tested: These benefits are heavily means-tested. If you have a partner who works, or if you have savings over a certain threshold (typically £16,000), your eligibility could be drastically reduced or eliminated entirely.
  • Low Payouts: Even if you do qualify, the standard allowance is not designed to cover a mortgage, significant rent, or the lifestyle you've built. The standard UC allowance for a couple over 25 is around £617 per month in 2025. This is rarely enough to cover even the mortgage payment on a typical family home.

Let's compare the reality of state support versus typical family outgoings.

ItemAverage UK Monthly Cost (2025)Maximum Monthly State Support (UC Couple)The Shortfall
Mortgage/Rent£1,100
Utility Bills£250
Council Tax£175
Food & Groceries£500
Transport£200
Total Essential Outgoings£2,225~£617-£1,608 (or more) per month

The conclusion is unavoidable: state support alone leads to rapid debt, repossession, and a devastating collapse in your family's quality of life.

Forging Your Defence: The LCIIP Shield Explained

Relying on luck or the state is not a strategy; it's a gamble with your family's future. The only robust and reliable defence is a personal protection plan tailored to your needs. We call this the LCIIP Shield, which consists of three distinct but complementary pillars of insurance.

  1. Life Insurance: Protects your loved ones financially if you die.
  2. Critical Illness Cover (CIC): Protects you financially if you get seriously ill.
  3. Income Protection (IP): Protects your income if you can't work due to any illness or injury.

These policies are not mutually exclusive. In fact, they are designed to work in concert, covering different eventualities to create a comprehensive financial fortress around you and your family.

Pillar 1: Life Insurance – Securing Your Family's Future

Life insurance is the most well-known form of protection. Its purpose is simple but profound: to pay out a tax-free lump sum of money to your beneficiaries if you pass away during the policy's term. This money can be a lifeline for a grieving family.

What is Life Insurance For?

The payout is designed to clear major debts and provide for your family's future, ensuring they don't suffer financial hardship on top of their emotional loss. Common uses include:

  • Paying off the mortgage.
  • Clearing other debts like car loans or credit cards.
  • Covering funeral costs.
  • Providing an income for your family to live on.
  • Funding future expenses like university fees for your children.

Types of Life Insurance

There are two main types of term life insurance, which is the most common and affordable form.

Type of PolicyHow It WorksBest For
Level TermThe payout amount (sum assured) remains the same throughout the policy term.Covering an interest-only mortgage or providing a lump sum for family living costs.
Decreasing TermThe payout amount reduces over time, broadly in line with a repayment mortgage.Specifically covering a repayment mortgage. It's the cheapest form of cover.

A third, less common type is Whole of Life insurance, which guarantees a payout whenever you die, but comes with significantly higher premiums.

Who Needs It?

If anyone relies on your income, you almost certainly need life insurance. This includes:

  • People with a mortgage.
  • Parents with dependent children.
  • People with a financially dependent partner.
  • Business owners with key person dependencies or director's loans.

Pillar 2: Critical Illness Cover (CIC) – Your Financial Lifeline During Sickness

Whilst life insurance covers death, Critical Illness Cover is designed to protect you during life. It pays out a tax-free lump sum if you are diagnosed with one of a list of predefined serious medical conditions.

This is arguably the cover that addresses the "1 in 2" statistic most directly. A serious illness can be more financially devastating than death, as your costs increase (medical care, home adaptations) while your income disappears.

What Does It Typically Cover?

Early policies covered only a handful of conditions, but modern plans are far more comprehensive. Most insurers' core policies will cover:

  • Cancers (of a specified severity)
  • Heart Attack
  • Stroke

Beyond these, a comprehensive policy from a major UK insurer in 2025 will often cover 50 to 100+ conditions, including:

  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Kidney Failure
  • Major Organ Transplant
  • Permanent Blindness or Deafness
  • Motor Neurone Disease
  • Parkinson's Disease
  • Dementia/Alzheimer's Disease

Many policies also include smaller, partial payments for less severe conditions, providing financial support earlier in your health journey.

How Can the Payout Be Used?

The CIC lump sum provides total financial freedom at a time of immense stress. You can use it for anything you need, giving you the breathing space to focus on your recovery. Common uses include:

  • Clearing your mortgage and other debts.
  • Replacing your lost income for a period of years.
  • Paying for private medical treatment or specialist consultations to bypass NHS waiting lists.
  • Making disability-friendly adaptations to your home.
  • Funding a less stressful lifestyle post-recovery.
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Real-Life Scenario: Meet Sarah

Sarah, a 42-year-old marketing manager and mother of two, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her treatment required a year off work. Her employer's sick pay ran out after six months, and SSP was not enough to cover the family's £2,000 monthly mortgage and bills. The stress was immense.

Fortunately, five years earlier, Sarah had taken out a Critical Illness policy. Upon diagnosis, her policy paid out a £150,000 tax-free lump sum. This instantly cleared their mortgage, eliminating their biggest monthly expense. The remaining funds allowed her to focus entirely on her treatment and recovery without worrying about bills or rushing back to work. The policy didn't just save her finances; it gave her peace of mind, which was crucial to her recovery.

Pillar 3: Income Protection (IP) – Replacing Your Monthly Salary

Income Protection is often described by financial experts as the single most important insurance policy for any working adult. It's the bedrock of your financial plan.

Unlike CIC, which pays a lump sum for a specific condition, IP pays a regular monthly income if you are unable to work due to any illness or injury. It's designed to replace your payslip.

What is Income Protection?

An IP policy will pay out a percentage of your gross salary (typically 50-65%) on a monthly basis, tax-free. It continues to pay out until you are able to return to work, the policy term ends (usually at your retirement age), or you pass away. It covers a vast range of conditions, from a severe back injury or broken leg to stress, depression, or cancer.

Key Features to Understand

  1. Deferred Period: This is the waiting period between when you stop work and when the policy starts paying out. It can be set from 4 weeks to 52 weeks. The longer the deferred period you choose (e.g., to match your employer's sick pay), the cheaper the premium.
  2. Payment Period: Some cheaper policies are "short-term," paying out for only 1, 2, or 5 years per claim. A "full" or "long-term" policy will pay out right up to your chosen retirement age if you can never work again.
  3. Definition of Incapacity: This is crucial. The best definition is 'Own Occupation'. This means the policy will pay out if you are unable to do your specific job. Cheaper policies may use 'Suited Occupation' or 'Any Occupation' definitions, which are much harder to claim on. Always insist on an 'Own Occupation' basis if possible.

The table below clarifies the key differences between the two "living benefits" policies.

FeatureCritical Illness Cover (CIC)Income Protection (IP)
Payout TypeTax-free lump sum.Tax-free regular monthly income.
Payout TriggerDiagnosis of a specific serious illness on the policy list.Inability to work due to any illness or injury.
Main PurposeClear large debts, make major life changes, cover one-off costs.Replace your lost salary to cover ongoing monthly bills.
Coverage ScopeLimited to the list of conditions in the policy.Covers virtually any medical condition that stops you from working.
Example Use CasePayout on heart attack diagnosis to clear the mortgage.Monthly payments for 2 years due to a severe back problem preventing you from working as a dentist.

Debunking the Myths: Why People Hesitate and Why They Shouldn't

Misconceptions prevent millions from getting the cover they desperately need. Let's address the three most common myths with hard facts.

Myth 1: "It's too expensive."

This is the biggest barrier, and it's based on a false perception. The cost of protection is often surprisingly low, especially when you are young and healthy.

For a healthy 30-year-old non-smoker, a meaningful LCIIP shield could cost:

  • Life Insurance: £250,000 of level term cover over 30 years could be as little as £10-£12 per month.
  • Critical Illness Cover: £50,000 of cover could cost around £20-£25 per month.
  • Income Protection: £1,800 a month of cover until age 67 (with a 3-month deferred period) could be around £30-£40 per month.

For the price of a few weekly coffees or a monthly takeaway, you can secure your entire financial future. At WeCovr, we help clients compare plans from all the UK's leading insurers to find a policy that provides robust protection without breaking the bank.

Myth 2: "Insurers never pay out."

This is a damaging myth that is demonstrably false. The industry regulator, the FCA, and the Association of British Insurers (ABI) publish official payout statistics every year.

The 2024 data (covering claims in 2023) shows:

  • Life Insurance: 96.9% of claims paid out.
  • Critical Illness Cover: 91.3% of claims paid out.
  • Income Protection: 92.9% of claims paid out.

The overwhelming majority of claims are paid successfully. The primary reason for a claim being declined is non-disclosure – where the applicant wasn't truthful about their medical history or lifestyle on the application form. Honesty and accuracy during the application process are paramount.

Myth 3: "I'm young and healthy, I don't need it yet."

This is like waiting to see flames before buying a fire extinguisher. As we've shown, serious illness can strike at any age. More importantly, protection insurance is cheapest when you are youngest and healthiest.

Premiums are calculated based on your age and health at the time of application. A 30-year-old might pay £30 per month for a policy that would cost a 45-year-old £70 per month. By waiting, you not only remain unprotected during your younger years but also guarantee you will pay significantly more for the same cover later on.

Your Path to Protection: How to Get the Right Cover in 2025

Securing your LCIIP shield is a straightforward process, but it requires careful thought.

Step 1: Assess Your Needs

Don't just pick a number out of the air. A good way to calculate how much cover you need is to use the D.E.B.T. method:

  • Debts: List your mortgage, loans, and credit card balances. This is the minimum your life and critical illness cover should clear.
  • Expenditure: Calculate your essential monthly family outgoings. This is the figure your income protection should aim to replace.
  • Dependents: How long will your children be financially dependent? You may want to add a lump sum for university or a first home deposit.
  • Time: How long do you need the cover for? Typically, this would be until your mortgage is paid off or your children are financially independent.

Step 2: Understand the Application Process

When you apply, you will be asked a series of questions about your:

  • Health: Your personal medical history and that of your immediate family.
  • Lifestyle: Your occupation, hobbies, smoking status, and alcohol consumption.

Be completely honest. Full disclosure ensures that your policy is valid and will pay out when you need it most.

Step 3: The Importance of Using an Expert Broker

The UK protection market is complex. Dozens of insurers offer hundreds of products, each with different definitions, conditions covered, and price points. Trying to navigate this alone is confusing and risky.

This is where an independent broker like WeCovr is invaluable.

  • Expert Advice: We are experts in the field. We can help you understand the nuances between policies, such as the critical importance of an 'Own Occupation' definition for Income Protection.
  • Whole-of-Market Access: We compare plans from all the major UK insurers, not just a select few. This ensures you get the most suitable cover at the most competitive price.
  • Application Support: We can guide you through the application form, helping to ensure it is completed accurately to minimise the risk of non-disclosure and a future declined claim.
  • A Commitment to Your Wellbeing: We believe in proactive health as well as reactive protection. That’s why, at WeCovr, we go the extra mile for our clients. In addition to securing your financial future, we provide all our customers with complimentary access to CalorieHero, our exclusive AI-powered calorie and nutrition tracking app, helping you stay on top of your health goals.

Conclusion: Don't Be a Statistic – Take Control of Your Financial Future

The evidence for 2025 is clear and compelling. The risk of a major health crisis derailing your life before retirement is a 50/50 probability. The state safety net is an illusion. The potential financial loss is life-shattering.

To leave yourself and your family exposed to this risk is a gamble against overwhelming odds. But you do not have to be a statistic.

The LCIIP Shield—Life Insurance, Critical Illness Cover, and Income Protection—is not a luxury product for the wealthy. It is an essential utility for modern life, as fundamental as the roof over your head. It is the only proven, reliable mechanism to protect your income, your home, and your family's future from the financial devastation of serious illness or injury.

The time to act is now, whilst you are healthy and the cost is at its lowest. Don't wait for the shock to happen. Investigate your options, speak to an expert, and build your financial fortress today. Your future self, and your family, will thank you for 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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