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UK's 17-Year Health Gap

UK's 17-Year Health Gap 2025 | Top Insurance Guides

UK 2025 Shock New Data Reveals Britons Now Spend an Average of 17.5 Years in Poor Health, Fueling a Staggering £5 Million+ Lifetime Financial Catastrophe of Lost Earnings, Unfunded Care Costs & Eroding Quality of Life – Is Your LCIIP Shield Your Essential Protection Against Lifes Unhealthy Decades

A startling new report released in 2025 has cast a harsh light on the state of the nation's health and wealth. Ground-breaking analysis from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveals a deeply concerning trend: the average Briton can now expect to spend 17.5 years of their life in a state of poor health. This isn't just a health crisis; it's a looming financial catastrophe for millions of families across the UK.

This "17-Year Health Gap" – the chasm between our total lifespan and our healthy lifespan – is creating a devastating financial vortex. Our research indicates this period of ill health can trigger a lifetime financial loss exceeding a staggering £5 million for a higher-earning family, composed of lost income, spiralling private treatment and care costs, and a fundamental erosion of accumulated wealth and quality of life.

The dream of a long, healthy, and prosperous retirement is fading. In its place is the stark reality of decades spent battling illness, disability, and the immense financial strain that accompanies it. The question is no longer if you will be affected, but how you will protect your family from the fallout.

In this definitive guide, we will dissect this shocking new data, expose the true financial cost of long-term ill health, and reveal how a robust shield of Life, Critical Illness, and Income Protection (LCIIP) insurance is no longer a "nice-to-have," but an essential pillar of modern financial planning.

The £5 Million+ Catastrophe: Deconstructing the Cost of 17 Years in Poor Health

The figure of £5 million may seem astronomical, but when you break down the financial impact of nearly two decades of ill health, the numbers become frighteningly real. This isn't a single cost; it's a cascade of financial pressures that can dismantle a lifetime of hard work.

Let's examine the components for a household with two professional earners, one of whom is forced to stop working at age 50 due to a chronic condition.

1. Catastrophic Loss of Earnings: This is the single biggest driver of the financial crisis. A professional earning £70,000 per year who is forced out of the workforce at 50 loses 17 years of potential income.

  • Lost Gross Salary: 17 years x £70,000 = £1,190,000
  • Lost Employer Pension Contributions: (Assuming 8% employer contribution) 17 years x £5,600 = £95,200
  • Lost Career Progression & Bonuses: A conservative estimate could easily add another £250,000+ over that period.
  • Impact on the Second Earner: The healthy partner often has to reduce their hours or leave work entirely to become a carer, potentially doubling the loss of income.

Total Potential Lost Earnings: £1.5 Million - £3 Million+

2. The Spiralling Cost of Care & Treatment: Whilst the NHS is a lifeline, it does not cover everything. The financial burden of managing a long-term condition can be immense.

  • Social Care Costs: If residential care is needed, the average cost in the UK now exceeds £1,000 per week, or £52,000 per year. Over 10 years, that's over half a million pounds. Domiciliary (at-home) care can also run into tens of thousands annually.
  • Private Medical Costs: To bypass long NHS waiting lists for consultations, scans (MRI, CT), or specialist therapies (physiotherapy, psychotherapy), many are forced to go private. These costs can quickly accumulate.
  • Home Modifications: Installing stairlifts, walk-in showers, ramps, and other essential accessibility features can cost anywhere from £5,000 to £50,000.
  • Specialist Equipment: Wheelchairs, mobility scooters, and other aids represent significant ongoing expenses.

Total Potential Care & Treatment Costs: £250,000 - £1 Million+

3. The Hidden Costs & Erosion of Quality of Life: These are the expenses that chip away at your savings and decimate your retirement plans.

  • Increased Daily Expenses: Higher heating bills, specialised diets, and travel to hospital appointments add up.
  • Depletion of Savings & Investments: Families are forced to liquidate ISAs, sell shares, and raid their pensions early (often incurring tax penalties) just to stay afloat.
  • Inability to Help Children: Plans to help children with university fees or a house deposit vanish. This transfers the financial burden to the next generation.
  • Loss of 'Retirement Dream': The nest egg carefully built for travel, hobbies, and a comfortable retirement is consumed by basic living and care costs. The value of this lost quality of life is immeasurable.

The Financial Breakdown of the 17-Year Health Gap

The table below illustrates the potential cumulative financial impact on a typical professional family.

Financial Impact AreaLow-End EstimateHigh-End EstimateNotes
Lost Primary Earnings£1,200,000£2,500,000Incl. salary, pension, bonuses
Lost Partner's Earnings£0£1,000,000If partner becomes a full-time carer
Unfunded Care Costs£200,000£1,000,000Domiciliary or residential care
Private Medical & Mods£50,000£250,000Scans, therapies, home adaptations
Depleted Savings/Pension£100,000£500,000Using assets to cover shortfalls
Total Potential Loss£1,550,000£5,250,000Excludes inflation & lost investment growth

This stark calculation demonstrates why relying on hope and state provision alone is a high-stakes gamble with your family's future.

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What is Fuelling This National Health Crisis?

The decline in the UK's healthy lifespan isn't due to a single factor, but a perfect storm of societal and medical trends that are converging with dangerous consequences.

  • The Rise of Chronic Conditions: We are living longer, but not necessarily healthier. A 2025 NHS England report highlights an explosion in long-term conditions managed in the community. Conditions like Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal disorders (like arthritis), and respiratory illnesses are starting earlier and lasting for decades.
  • The Mental Health Epidemic: Data shows that nearly one in four adults in the UK now experiences a mental health issue each year. Anxiety, depression, and stress are leading causes of long-term work absence, directly impacting earning potential for prolonged periods.
  • Cancer Survival is a Double-Edged Sword: Incredible advances in medicine mean that more people than ever are surviving cancer. However, survival often comes with long-term side effects, the need for ongoing treatment, and a significant period of recovery, all of which prevent a return to full-time work.
  • An Ageing Population: As the baby boomer generation moves into their 70s and 80s, the prevalence of age-related conditions like dementia, stroke, and heart failure is placing unprecedented strain on both the NHS and family finances.
  • Lifestyle Factors: Despite public health campaigns, issues like obesity, poor diet, and sedentary lifestyles continue to contribute significantly to the burden of preventable diseases that manifest in middle age.

The NHS is Under Pressure: Why You Can't Rely Solely on State Support

The National Health Service is one of Britain's greatest achievements. Its doctors, nurses, and staff perform miracles every day. However, it was designed in the 1940s to treat acute illness, not to provide for the vast and complex financial needs created by decades of chronic poor health.

Relying solely on the NHS and state benefits to see you through the 17-Year Health Gap is a flawed strategy. Here’s why:

  • Record Waiting Lists: In 2025, NHS waiting lists for elective procedures remain stubbornly high. Waiting 18 months for a hip replacement or a year for a key diagnostic scan is not uncommon. This delay can turn a manageable condition into a debilitating one, prolonging time off work and causing immense pain.
  • The Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) Cliff Edge: SSP provides just £116.75 per week (2024/25 rate) for a maximum of 28 weeks. This is a safety net with a very large hole. It is simply not enough to cover a mortgage, bills, and food for any meaningful period.
  • Limited Access to 'Nice to Have' Treatments: The NHS must prioritise its budget. This means access to some of the latest drug therapies, specialised rehabilitation (like hydrotherapy), or advanced prosthetics can be restricted or unavailable.
  • No Financial Support for Lifestyle Costs: The NHS will mend your broken leg, but it won't pay your mortgage while you can't work. It will treat your cancer, but it won't pay to adapt your home or cover the lost income of your partner who is caring for you. This is the crucial gap that personal insurance is designed to fill.

The state provides a foundation, but it cannot and will not protect your financial world from the earthquake of a long-term health crisis. You must build your own fortress on top of that foundation.

Introducing the LCIIP Shield: Your Personal Financial Defence System

Faced with this daunting reality, how can you protect yourself and your loved ones? The answer lies in creating a personal financial defence system known as the LCIIP Shield.

LCIIP stands for Life Insurance, Critical Illness Cover, and Income Protection. These three policies are not interchangeable; they are distinct tools designed to work together to provide a comprehensive, multi-layered defence against the financial consequences of death, serious illness, and the inability to work.

Policy TypeWhat It DoesWhen It Pays OutHow It Protects You
Life InsuranceProvides a tax-free lump sum.Upon your death (or diagnosis of terminal illness).Clears mortgage/debts, provides for family.
Critical Illness CoverProvides a tax-free lump sum.Upon diagnosis of a specific serious illness.Covers one-off costs, replaces income, pays for care.
Income ProtectionProvides a regular, tax-free monthly income.When you can't work due to any illness/injury.Replaces your salary to pay ongoing bills.

Think of it like this:

  • Income Protection is your financial first aid, kicking in to replace your salary for day-to-day living.
  • Critical Illness Cover is your major trauma fund, providing a large lump sum for the big, immediate costs of a life-changing diagnosis.
  • Life Insurance is the ultimate backstop, ensuring your family is secure even in the worst-case scenario.

Let's take a deeper look at each component of the shield.

Deep Dive: Income Protection Insurance – Your Monthly Salary Lifeline

Often described by financial experts as the most important insurance you can own, Income Protection (IP) is the bedrock of any financial defence plan.

What is it? Income Protection insurance pays you a regular, tax-free monthly income if you are unable to work due to any illness or injury. It continues to pay out until you can return to work, your policy term ends (typically at your retirement age), or you pass away.

Key Features:

  • Covers 'Any Occupation': Unlike more restrictive policies, a good IP policy pays out if you are unable to do your own occupation. This is a crucial distinction.
  • Percentage of Salary: You can typically insure up to 60-70% of your gross annual salary. This is paid tax-free, making it broadly equivalent to your take-home pay.
  • The Deferment Period: This is the period you choose to wait between becoming unable to work and the policy starting to pay out. It can be anything from 1 day to 12 months. The longer the deferment period you choose (e.g., to align with your employer's sick pay), the lower your monthly premium.
  • Long-Term Support: This isn't a 12 or 24-month policy. True Income Protection can support you right up to your chosen retirement age (e.g., 67), providing years or even decades of financial security if you suffer a career-ending illness.

Who needs it? If you have bills to pay and your income would stop if you were sick or injured, you need Income Protection. This is especially critical for:

  • The self-employed with no access to employer sick pay.
  • Small business owners whose enterprise relies on them.
  • Anyone whose employer sick pay is limited (e.g., 3-6 months full pay).
  • Families who rely on every penny of their joint income to maintain their lifestyle.

Income Protection is the policy that directly tackles the biggest component of the £5 million catastrophe: lost earnings. It is the shield that keeps your financial world turning when your health stops you from working.

Deep Dive: Critical Illness Cover – Your Financial Shock Absorber

Whilst Income Protection deals with the ongoing loss of salary, Critical Illness Cover (CIC) is designed to deal with the immediate and massive financial shock of a serious diagnosis.

What is it? Critical Illness Cover pays out a one-off, tax-free lump sum if you are diagnosed with one of a list of predefined serious medical conditions.

What does it cover? Policies vary between insurers, but most will cover the "big three" – cancer, heart attack, and stroke – which account for the vast majority of claims. Comprehensive policies can cover 50, 100, or even more conditions, including:

  • Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
  • Motor Neurone Disease (MND)
  • Parkinson's Disease
  • Major organ transplant
  • Blindness or deafness
  • Loss of limbs
  • Dementia/Alzheimer's disease

How can the lump sum be used? The power of CIC is its flexibility. The money is yours to use as you see fit to reduce the financial and emotional stress of your illness. Common uses include:

  • Clearing Debts: Pay off your mortgage, car loans, or credit cards to drastically reduce your monthly outgoings.
  • Replacing Income: Provide a financial buffer for yourself or a partner to take time off work to support your recovery.
  • Funding Private Treatment: Pay for specialist consultations, treatments, or drugs not available on the NHS to speed up recovery.
  • Adapting Your Home: Widen doorways for a wheelchair, install a wet room, or build a downstairs bedroom.
  • Paying for a Stress-Free Convalescence: The peace of mind to recover without worrying about money is priceless.

Critical Illness Cover provides the capital to restructure your life and finances in the face of a life-altering event, giving you options and control when you need them most.

Deep Dive: Life Insurance – The Ultimate Family Protection

Life Insurance is the final and most fundamental layer of the LCIIP shield. It addresses the ultimate "what if" and ensures that the people you leave behind are not burdened with debt and financial hardship.

What is it? Life Insurance pays out a tax-free lump sum to your beneficiaries upon your death. Many policies also pay out early if you are diagnosed with a terminal illness and given less than 12 months to live.

There are two main types:

  1. Term Life Insurance: This is the most common and affordable type. It covers you for a fixed period (the "term"), such as 25 years to match your mortgage. If you pass away within the term, it pays out. If you outlive the term, the policy ends and has no value. It's designed to protect your family during your key working and child-rearing years.
  2. Whole of Life Insurance: This policy guarantees a payout whenever you die, as long as you keep paying the premiums. It is more expensive but is often used for specific purposes like covering a potential inheritance tax bill or leaving a guaranteed legacy.

Who needs it? You need life insurance if anyone depends on you financially. This includes:

  • Couples with a mortgage.
  • Parents with young children.
  • Business owners with financial partners.
  • Anyone who wants to leave a financial legacy for their loved ones.

Life insurance provides certainty in the most uncertain of times. It ensures that your mortgage is paid, your children's future is provided for, and your family can grieve without the added trauma of a financial crisis.

Building Your Shield with an Expert Broker like WeCovr

Navigating the complexities of the insurance market can be overwhelming. Policies have different definitions, terms, and prices. This is not a journey you should take alone. At WeCovr, we act as your expert guide, helping you build a bespoke LCIIP shield that is right for your unique circumstances.

As an independent broker, we are not tied to any single insurer. Our role is to represent you. We scan the entire market, comparing policies from all the UK's leading providers like Aviva, Legal & General, Zurich, and Royal London, to find the best cover at the most competitive price.

Our expert advisors take the time to understand your finances, your family's needs, and your health. We translate the jargon and explain the small print, ensuring you know exactly what you are covered for. We help you balance the "ideal" level of cover with what is affordable for your budget, ensuring your protection is sustainable for the long term.

Furthermore, we believe in supporting our clients' overall wellbeing. That's why every WeCovr customer receives complimentary access to our exclusive AI-powered health app, CalorieHero. This tool helps you track nutrition and make healthier lifestyle choices, demonstrating our commitment to not just insuring your health, but improving it. We go the extra mile because we know that proactive health management is the first line of defence.

Real-Life Scenarios: The LCIIP Shield in Action

Let's look at how this protection works for real people.

Case Study 1: David, the Self-Employed Electrician

David, 42, is married with two children. As a self-employed electrician, if he doesn't work, he doesn't get paid. He suffers a serious back injury falling from a ladder and is told he will be unable to work for at least 9 months.

  • Without Protection: David's income immediately stops. After a few weeks, the family's savings are gone. They fall behind on mortgage payments, build up credit card debt to pay for food, and the stress is immense.
  • With his LCIIP Shield: David had Income Protection with a 4-week deferment period. After one month, his policy kicks in, paying him £2,500 tax-free each month. This covers the mortgage and bills, allowing him to focus entirely on his physiotherapy and recovery without financial panic. His family's lifestyle is maintained.

Case Study 2: Sarah, the Marketing Manager

Sarah, 38, is diagnosed with breast cancer. She needs surgery, followed by six months of chemotherapy. The treatment leaves her exhausted and unable to work her high-pressure job.

  • Without Protection: Sarah gets 6 months' full pay from her employer, but this quickly runs out. She has to return to work before she is fully recovered, harming her long-term health. The family can't afford the home help needed during her treatment, so her husband uses up all his annual leave to care for her and the children.
  • With her LCIIP Shield: Sarah's £100,000 Critical Illness Cover pays out shortly after diagnosis. The family uses £30,000 to clear their car loan and credit cards, reducing their monthly outgoings. They use another portion to hire a cleaner and a nanny temporarily, reducing the strain on her husband. The remaining money gives Sarah the financial freedom to take a full year off work to recover completely, before phasing her return to work. The lump sum acted as a powerful stress-reducer, allowing her to focus on getting well.

The Cost of Inaction vs. The Price of Protection

It’s easy to postpone thinking about insurance, believing "it won't happen to me." But the data on the 17-Year Health Gap shows that for millions, it will. The cost of being unprotected is catastrophic. The cost of protection, by comparison, is a manageable monthly expense.

Consider a healthy, non-smoking 40-year-old. Here are some illustrative monthly costs for a robust LCIIP shield:

Policy TypeLevel of CoverIllustrative Monthly PremiumWhat it Achieves
Income Protection£2,500/month until age 67£45 - £65Replaces salary for 27 years if needed
Critical Illness Cover£75,000 lump sum£30 - £45Provides a major financial buffer on diagnosis
Life Insurance£250,000 decreasing term£15 - £25Clears a typical outstanding mortgage
**Total LCIIP ShieldComprehensive Protection£90 - £135Complete financial peace of mind

For the price of a few family takeaways or a premium TV subscription each month, you can erect a financial fortress around your family. When you weigh this against the potential £5 million+ financial catastrophe of long-term illness, the decision becomes clear.

Taking Control: Your Future is in Your Hands

The revelation of the 17.5-Year Health Gap is a wake-up call for every adult in the UK. It signals a fundamental shift in how we must plan for our lives and retirement. The old assumptions no longer hold true.

Relying on a combination of luck, the state, and your employer is no longer a viable strategy. The financial chasm created by long-term poor health is simply too vast to bridge without a dedicated, personal plan.

Building your LCIIP shield is the single most powerful step you can take to neutralise this threat. It is an act of responsibility to yourself and your loved ones – a declaration that you will not let illness or injury destroy the financial future you have worked so hard to build.

The time to act is now, whilst you are healthy and premiums are at their most affordable. Don't wait for a health scare to force your hand. Contact an expert advisor at WeCovr today. Let us help you analyse your needs, compare the market, and build the LCIIP shield that will stand guard over your family's finances, come what may. Protect your income, protect your assets, protect your future.


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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