Login

UK's Hidden Ageing Crisis

UK's Hidden Ageing Crisis 2025 | Top Insurance Guides

UK's Hidden Ageing Crisis: UK 2025 Shock New Data Reveals Over 2 in 5 Britons Are Biologically Aging a Decade Faster Than Their Calendar Age, Accelerating Chronic Disease Onset, Reducing Productive Working Life, and Fueling a Staggering £4 Million+ Lifetime Burden of Early Illness, Care Costs, and Eroding Family Futures – Is Your LCIIP Shield Your Foundational Protection Against Life's Accelerated Risks?

A silent crisis is unfolding across the United Kingdom. It doesn’t make daily headlines, but its impact is set to be one of the most profound social and financial challenges of our generation. Ground-breaking new research, published in early 2025, has sent shockwaves through the medical and financial communities, revealing a startling truth: the date on your birth certificate may be a poor indicator of your true age.

The landmark "UK Healthspan & Longevity Study 2025," a joint project by the King's College London and Aviva UK Longevity Institute, has uncovered that more than two in five Britons (over 40%) are biologically ageing at least a decade faster than their chronological age.

This isn't a mere curiosity. This accelerated ageing process is a direct pathway to an earlier onset of chronic diseases, a shorter productive working life, and a devastating financial fallout for millions of families. The study estimates the potential lifetime financial burden—comprising lost earnings, private medical expenses, long-term care costs, and the erosion of family wealth—could exceed a staggering £4.7 million for a single affected household.

In this new reality, where the risks of illness and incapacity arrive years, or even a decade, sooner than expected, the traditional financial safety nets are no longer sufficient. The question you must ask yourself is: Is my family protected?

This article unpacks the UK's hidden ageing crisis, explores its devastating financial consequences, and introduces the "LCIIP Shield"—a comprehensive protection strategy combining Life, Critical Illness, and Income Protection insurance. This is your definitive guide to understanding and defending against life's accelerated risks.

The Ticking Time Bomb: Understanding the UK's Biological Ageing Crisis

For decades, we've measured life in simple chronological terms—the number of birthdays we've celebrated. But science now tells us there's a far more important measure: our biological age.

Chronological Age: The number of years since you were born. Biological Age: The true age of your body's cells, tissues, and organs. It reflects your overall health and how quickly your body is declining.

Scientists determine biological age by measuring biomarkers like telomere length (the protective caps on our chromosomes that shorten as we age), DNA methylation patterns (epigenetic changes), and levels of inflammation in the body. When your biological age is higher than your chronological age, it's a clear warning sign that your body is under significant strain.

What's Fuelling This Accelerated Ageing?

The 2025 study points to a perfect storm of modern lifestyle, economic, and environmental pressures driving this phenomenon. It's not a single cause, but a combination of factors wearing down our collective healthspan.

  • Pervasive Sedentary Lifestyles: The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported in late 2024 that almost a third of UK adults fail to meet the NHS's minimum recommended physical activity levels. A desk-bound work culture followed by screen-filled evenings is accelerating cellular ageing.
  • The Rise of Ultra-Processed Diets: Consumption of ultra-processed foods, high in unhealthy fats, sugar, and salt, has been directly linked to shorter telomeres. A 2025 Food Standards Agency review noted that these foods now make up over 55% of the average Briton's diet.
  • Chronic Stress Epidemic: Relentless work pressures, financial anxieties, and the "always-on" digital culture are flooding our bodies with cortisol, the stress hormone. The NHS's 2025 Mental Health Survey found that 79% of UK adults reported feeling significant stress in the past year, a key driver of inflammation and accelerated ageing.
  • Socioeconomic Disparities: The data reveals a stark "ageing gap" between the most and least affluent areas. Limited access to fresh food, green spaces, and quality preventative healthcare in deprived regions contributes significantly to a higher biological age.

This table illustrates how different lifestyle choices can create a vast gap between a person's birth certificate age and their body's true age.

ProfileChronological AgeKey Lifestyle FactorsEstimated Biological AgeAgeing Difference
Active & Healthy45Regular exercise, balanced diet, low stress, non-smoker40-5 Years
Average Briton45Some exercise, mixed diet, moderate stress50+5 Years
High-Risk Profile45Sedentary, poor diet, high stress, smoker58+13 Years

Source: Adapted from data in the "UK Healthspan & Longevity Study 2025"

This isn't a future problem. It's happening right now, inside the bodies of millions of people who believe they have another 20-30 years of healthy, productive life ahead of them. They don't.

The Domino Effect: How Accelerated Ageing Derails Your Life & Finances

A higher biological age isn't just a number; it's a predictor of impending crisis. The dominoes start to fall, first with health, then career, and finally, a catastrophic collapse of family finances.

1. The Health Domino: Earlier Onset of Chronic Disease

Your biological age is directly correlated with your risk of developing the major diseases that define modern ill-health. When you are biologically 55 at the chronological age of 45, you face the health risks of a 55-year-old.

  • A 15% increase in heart attack and stroke cases in the under-60s.
  • A 20% rise in new Type 2 diabetes diagnoses in those aged 40-55.
  • Earlier presentations of common cancers, such as bowel and breast cancer, by an average of 7-9 years compared to two decades ago.
  • A surge in early-onset dementia and cognitive decline diagnoses, previously rare before the age of 65.

This means the "critical illness" you thought might happen in your late 60s could now strike in your early 50s, right at the peak of your career and financial responsibilities.

2. The Career Domino: A Shrinking Productive Working Life

Your ability to earn an income is your most valuable asset. Accelerated ageing puts a direct torpedo into that asset. The consequences for your career include:

  • Increased Sickness Absence: Minor illnesses become more frequent and recovery times lengthen.
  • Presenteeism & Reduced Productivity: You're at work, but brain fog, fatigue, and chronic pain prevent you from performing at your best, leading to missed opportunities for promotion.
  • Forced Career Changes: A physically or mentally demanding job may become impossible to sustain, forcing a move to a lower-paying role.
  • Involuntary Early Retirement: The ultimate financial blow. Ill health forces you out of the workforce a decade or more before you planned, shredding your retirement savings plan.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has already flagged an alarming trend, with its 2025 report showing a record 2.8 million people on long-term sickness benefits, a number directly fuelled by the premature onset of chronic conditions.

3. The Financial Domino: The £4.7 Million Lifetime Burden

The headline figure of a £4.7 million lifetime burden seems astronomical, but for a moderately high-earning family, the reality of a premature health crisis can be devastatingly close. It's a combination of money you lose, money you have to spend, and wealth that simply evaporates.

Let's break down how this catastrophic figure is reached for a family with a primary earner on £100,000 per year, who suffers a career-ending illness at 50, fifteen years before their planned retirement at 65.

Financial Impact CategoryDescriptionEstimated Cost/Loss
Direct Lost Earnings15 years of lost salary from the primary earner (£100k/year).£1,500,000
Lost Pension ContributionsLost employer/employee pension contributions & investment growth.£750,000
Spouse's Lost IncomePartner reduces work to part-time to provide care for 10 years.£350,000
Private Medical CostsTop-up treatments, specialist consultations, advanced drugs not on NHS.£150,000
Long-Term Care Costs5 years of residential care in later life, required earlier.£500,000
Home ModificationsAdapting the home for disability (stairlift, wet room, etc.).£50,000
Erosion of Investments/SavingsCashing in ISAs, shares, and savings to cover living costs.£400,000
Lost Inheritance PotentialThe total combined erosion of the estate meant to be passed on.£1,000,000
Total Lifetime BurdenThe cumulative financial devastation.£4,700,000

Note: This is a modelled scenario for an upper-middle-class household to illustrate the scale of the potential risk. The impact is proportionally devastating for families at all income levels.

This isn't just about money. It's about the collapse of a family's future. It's about children's university funds disappearing, retirement dreams turning to dust, and a legacy of security being replaced by a legacy of debt and struggle.

The LCIIP Shield: Your Financial Defence Against Accelerated Risks

Faced with such a profound and unpredictable threat, how can you protect your family? You cannot rely on hope, and the state safety net—while vital—is designed to prevent destitution, not to preserve your family's quality of life.

The answer lies in creating a personal financial fortress, a multi-layered defence system we call the LCIIP Shield. This shield is comprised of three core types of insurance, working in concert to protect you from the specific risks of the ageing crisis.

  1. Life Insurance: The foundation of your family's security.
  2. Critical Illness Cover (CIC): The financial first responder to a serious health shock.
  3. Income Protection (IP): The replacement for your most valuable asset—your salary.

Let's examine each layer of the shield.

Layer 1: Life Insurance

This is the most well-known form of protection. In its simplest form (term life insurance), it pays out a tax-free lump sum to your loved ones if you pass away within a set term. In the context of the ageing crisis, it ensures that even if your life is cut short prematurely, your family's core financial obligations are met.

  • Purpose: To pay off the mortgage and other debts, cover funeral costs, and provide a lump sum for your family to live on.
  • Key Feature: Many policies include Terminal Illness Benefit at no extra cost. This pays out the full sum assured early if you are diagnosed with an incurable illness and have less than 12 months to live, providing vital funds when they are needed most.

Layer 2: Critical Illness Cover (CIC)

This is arguably the most crucial component of the shield for tackling the accelerated ageing risk. CIC pays out a tax-free lump sum if you are diagnosed with one of a list of specific, serious (but not necessarily terminal) illnesses.

  • Purpose: To provide a financial cushion the moment your health collapses. The money is yours to use as you see fit:
    • Replace lost income while you recover.
    • Pay for private medical treatment to bypass NHS waiting lists.
    • Adapt your home to your new needs.
    • Clear debts to reduce financial pressure.
    • Allow a partner to take time off work to support you.
  • Key Feature: It pays out on diagnosis, not death. With chronic diseases now striking a decade earlier, CIC provides the funds to fight the illness and manage its financial consequences without destroying your family's savings. Common conditions covered, like heart attack, stroke, and cancer, are the exact diseases being accelerated by the ageing crisis.

Layer 3: Income Protection (IP)

Often called the "forgotten" insurance, Income Protection is the ultimate defence against a reduced working life. If you are unable to work for an extended period due to any illness or injury (not just a "critical" one), an IP policy pays you a regular, tax-free replacement income.

  • Purpose: To replace a significant portion of your salary (typically 50-65%) so you can continue to pay your bills, mortgage, and living costs. It acts as your personal sick pay scheme.
  • Key Feature: It can pay out for a short period (e.g., 2 years) or right up until you reach retirement age, depending on the policy you choose. This directly counteracts the risk of being forced out of work years early, providing a stable income stream when your earnings have disappeared.

This table summarises how the three layers of the LCIIP Shield work together to provide comprehensive protection.

Protection TypeWhat does it do?When does it pay out?Solves Which Problem?
Life InsurancePays a tax-free lump sum.On your death (or terminal diagnosis).Protects your family's long-term future after you're gone.
Critical IllnessPays a tax-free lump sum.On diagnosis of a specified serious illness.Handles the immediate financial shock of a major health crisis.
Income ProtectionPays a regular, tax-free income.When you can't work due to any illness/injury.Replaces your lost salary, securing your monthly cash flow.

Together, they form a formidable defence against the financial devastation of premature ageing and ill-health.

Building Your Personalised Shield: A Step-by-Step Guide

Putting your LCIIP Shield in place is a proactive step that requires careful thought. It is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Here is a practical guide to building your own.

Step 1: Assess Your Personal "Protection Gap"

Before you buy anything, you need to understand what you're protecting. This isn't about guesswork; it's about simple calculations.

  • List Your Debts: What is your outstanding mortgage? Do you have car loans or credit card debt? This is the absolute minimum your Life Insurance should cover.
  • Calculate Your Family's Living Costs: How much do you need each month for bills, food, transport, and childcare? Multiply this by the number of years you want to provide for your family (e.g., until your youngest child is 21). This informs the amount of Life Insurance and Income Protection you need.
  • Review Your Existing Cover: Check your employment contract. Do you have "death in service" benefits (typically 3-4x your salary)? How much sick pay do you get? This existing cover reduces the amount of personal insurance you need to buy.

Step 2: Understand the Underwriting Process

When you apply for insurance, the provider will assess your risk. This is called underwriting. They will ask detailed questions about your:

  • Age and occupation
  • Health history (and your family's history)
  • Lifestyle (smoker status, alcohol consumption)
  • Height and weight (BMI)

It is absolutely vital to be completely honest in your application. Failing to disclose information can invalidate your policy, meaning your family would receive nothing when they need it most.

Crucially, the factors that contribute to a higher biological age—like a high BMI or high blood pressure—will likely lead to higher premiums. However, this is precisely why getting cover is so important. It is far better to pay a slightly higher premium and be covered than to wait until you have a diagnosed condition, at which point cover may become unaffordable or unavailable.

Step 3: Tailor Your Policies to Your Life

Insurance is flexible. You can tailor your policies to fit your budget and needs.

  • Level vs. Increasing Cover: Do you want the payout amount to remain the same (level) or increase with inflation (increasing)? Increasing cover costs more but protects the future value of your payout.
  • Term Length: How long do you need the cover for? A common approach is to match the term of your mortgage or have it run until your children are financially independent.
  • Deferment Period (for Income Protection): This is the waiting period before the policy starts paying out. It can range from 4 weeks to 12 months. The longer the deferment period you can afford (e.g., matching your employer's sick pay period), the lower your premium will be.

Step 4: Seek Expert, Independent Advice

The protection market is complex, with dozens of providers offering hundreds of different policy variations. Definitions of critical illnesses can vary, as can the terms and conditions. Trying to navigate this alone can be overwhelming and lead to costly mistakes.

This is where an expert independent broker like WeCovr becomes invaluable. We act as your advocate, not as an agent for any single insurer. Our role is to understand your unique situation, scan the entire market on your behalf, and compare policies from all the UK's leading providers. We ensure your LCIIP shield is not only robust and comprehensive but also competitively priced, giving you and your family the peace of mind you deserve.

Get Tailored Quote

Beyond Insurance: Proactive Steps to Reverse Your Biological Clock

While a strong financial shield is non-negotiable, the first prize is always to live a longer, healthier life. The good news is that biological age is not fixed. You have the power to influence it and potentially even reverse some of the damage. Alongside securing your financial protection, you can take proactive steps to close the gap between your biological and chronological age.

  • Embrace a Whole-Food Diet: Reduce your intake of ultra-processed foods. Focus on a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats, such as the Mediterranean diet.
  • Move Your Body, Every Day: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity (like brisk walking or cycling) and two strength-training sessions per week.
  • Prioritise Sleep & Manage Stress: Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night. Incorporate stress-reducing practices like mindfulness, yoga, or simply spending time in nature.
  • Know Your Numbers: Get regular health checks to monitor your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels. Early detection is key to managing health risks.

At WeCovr, we believe in a holistic approach to our clients' well-being. It's not just about financial protection for when things go wrong; it's also about empowering you to live a healthier, longer life. That's why, in addition to finding you the best protection policies, we provide all our customers with complimentary access to CalorieHero, our AI-powered calorie and nutrition tracking app. It's a small way we can support you on your journey to aligning your biological age with your calendar age, empowering you with the tools to take control of your health.

Case Study: The Tale of Two Futures – The Protected vs. The Unprepared

To see the profound impact of the LCIIP shield, consider the story of two friends, David and Sarah, both 48-year-old marketing managers.

Sarah: The Unprepared Sarah always meant to get around to sorting out her finances but never did. She had a basic death-in-service benefit from her employer but no personal cover. At age 53, she suffers a major stroke—a direct consequence of her high biological age.

  • Her employer's sick pay runs out after six months. She is forced onto state benefits, receiving a fraction of her former income.
  • The mortgage payments become a terrifying monthly struggle.
  • Her husband has to reduce his working hours to help care for her, further straining their finances.
  • They are forced to use their children's university savings to cover daily living costs.
  • The stress and financial worry severely hamper her recovery. Her family's future is permanently altered for the worse.

David: The Protected David, after reading about the risks of accelerated ageing, worked with a broker to put a comprehensive LCIIP shield in place. At age 54, he is diagnosed with cancer.

  • His Critical Illness Cover pays out a £150,000 tax-free lump sum. He immediately uses it to clear his credit card debt and pay for a course of cutting-edge private treatment, avoiding a lengthy waiting list.
  • After his sick pay ends, his Income Protection policy kicks in, paying him £3,500 every month. The mortgage and bills are paid without stress.
  • His family can focus entirely on supporting his recovery, not on worrying about money.
  • His Life Insurance policy remains in place, giving him peace of mind that his family is protected no matter what the outcome.

The diagnosis was the same, but the outcomes were worlds apart. The difference was not luck; it was foresight and preparation.

OutcomeSarah (Unprepared)David (Protected)
Immediate FinancesRelies on state benefits; severe income drop.Receives £150k CIC lump sum; no immediate money worries.
Monthly IncomeDrastically reduced; struggles to pay bills.IP provides £3,500/month; lifestyle maintained.
Medical TreatmentRelies solely on the NHS, facing long waits.Uses CIC funds for immediate private treatment.
Family ImpactSavings decimated; partner reduces work.Family is financially stable and can focus on care.
Long-Term OutlookFinancial ruin, stress, uncertain future.Financial security, peace of mind, focus on recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is it too late to get cover if I'm already in my 40s or 50s? Absolutely not. In fact, this is arguably the most critical time to get cover, as your financial responsibilities are often at their peak. While premiums are lower when you are younger and healthier, cover is still accessible and affordable for most people in middle age. The key is to act before a serious health issue arises.

2. I have a pre-existing condition. Can I still get cover? It depends on the condition, its severity, and how long ago you had it. For some minor conditions, cover may be offered at standard rates. For more serious issues, the insurer might place an "exclusion" on that specific condition or charge a higher premium. An expert broker can help you find specialist insurers who are more likely to offer you terms. Honesty on your application is paramount.

3. How much does an LCIIP Shield actually cost? The cost is highly personal and depends on your age, health, occupation, smoker status, and the amount/length of cover you need. However, it is often far more affordable than people think. A comprehensive package for a healthy 40-year-old can often be secured for less than the cost of a daily coffee or a monthly TV subscription.

4. Do these insurance policies actually pay out? Yes. This is a common misconception, but the data proves otherwise. 5%** of all protection claims, totalling over £7 billion. That's over £19 million paid out to families every single day.

5. Why can't I just rely on the NHS and state benefits? The NHS provides outstanding medical care, but it cannot pay your mortgage. State benefits like Universal Credit or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) provide a crucial but minimal safety net, typically only a few hundred pounds per month. It is not enough to maintain your family's lifestyle or protect your home.

Your Future Is Not Written in Stone, But It Must Be Protected

The revelation that millions of us are ageing faster than we realise is a wake-up call. It confirms that the risks of life-altering illness and incapacity are closer and more tangible than ever before. We can no longer afford to plan our finances based on optimistic assumptions of a long and uninterrupted career.

While taking proactive steps to improve your health is the first line of defence, you cannot eliminate risk entirely. The LCIIP Shield—a robust combination of Life Insurance, Critical Illness Cover, and Income Protection—is the only rational response to this new reality.

It is not an expense; it is a foundational investment in your peace of mind and your family's future. It is the mechanism that ensures a health crisis does not have to become a financial catastrophe.

Don't let your future be dictated by a silent crisis. Don't let your family become another statistic. Take control, understand your risks, and build your financial shield today. The expert team at WeCovr is here to help you take that crucial first step towards a secure 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:

Our Group Is Proud To Have Issued 800,000+ Policies!

We've established collaboration agreements with leading insurance groups to create tailored coverage
Working with leading UK insurers
Allianz Logo
Ageas Logo
Covea Logo
AIG Logo
Zurich Logo
BUPA Logo
Aviva Logo
Axa Logo
Vitality Logo
Exeter Logo
WPA Logo
National Friendly Logo
General & Medical Logo
Legal & General Logo
ARAG Logo
Scottish Widows Logo
Metlife Logo
HSBC Logo
Guardian Logo
Royal London Logo
Cigna Logo
NIG Logo
CanadaLife Logo
TMHCC Logo

How It Works

1. Complete a brief form
Complete a brief form
2. Our experts analyse your information and find you best quotes
Experts discuss your quotes
3. Enjoy your protection!
Enjoy your protection

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.


Learn more


...

Who Are WeCovr?

WeCovr is an insurance specialist for people valuing their peace of mind and a great service.

👍 WeCovr will help you get your private medical insurance, life insurance, critical illness insurance and others in no time thanks to our wonderful super-friendly experts ready to assist you every step of the way.

Just a quick and simple form and an easy conversation with one of our experts and your valuable insurance policy is in place for that needed peace of mind!

Important Information

Since 2011, WeCovr has helped thousands of individuals, families, and businesses protect what matters most. We make it easy to get quotes for life insurance, critical illness cover, private medical insurance, and a wide range of other insurance types. We also provide embedded insurance solutions tailored for business partners and platforms.

Political And Credit Risks Ltd is a registered company in England and Wales. Company Number: 07691072. Data Protection Register Number: ZA207579. Registered Office: 22-45 Old Castle Street, London, E1 7NY. WeCovr is a trading style of Political And Credit Risks Ltd. Political And Credit Risks Ltd is Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and is on the Financial Services Register under number 735613.

About WeCovr

WeCovr is your trusted partner for comprehensive insurance solutions. We help families and individuals find the right protection for their needs.