Login

Beyond Ambition: The Protected Path to Growth

Beyond Ambition: The Protected Path to Growth 2025

In an Unpredictable World, Discover How Safeguarding Your Health and Income Isn't Just Insurance, But the Essential, Overlooked Foundation for Unstoppable Personal Mastery, Fortified Relationships, and a Lasting Legacy.

We live in an age of ambition. The modern Briton is driven, dynamic, and dedicated to growth. We build careers, launch businesses, raise families, and strive for self-improvement. We map out our five-year plans, set audacious goals, and pour our energy into climbing the next peak. But in this relentless pursuit of 'more', we often overlook the single greatest threat to our ascent: the fragility of our own health and our ability to earn an income.

An unexpected illness or injury can do more than just pause our progress. It can shatter it. It can unravel years of hard work, drain savings, strain relationships, and turn a carefully constructed future into a landscape of uncertainty.

This is not a conversation about fear. It's a conversation about strategy. It's about understanding that the most successful individuals, the most resilient families, and the most enduring businesses are built not just on ambition, but on a bedrock of security. This is the story of how financial protection—life insurance, critical illness cover, and income protection—is not a mere expense, but the ultimate investment in your potential. It is the silent partner that empowers you to take risks, the safety net that allows you to leap higher, and the foundation upon which true, lasting success is built.


The Modern Briton's Paradox: Rich in Ambition, Vulnerable in Reality

The United Kingdom is a hub of innovation and aspiration. From the tech start-ups of Shoreditch to the skilled tradespeople powering our infrastructure, the drive to succeed is palpable. Yet, beneath this veneer of ambition lies a worrying vulnerability.

The reality is that for many, financial resilience is precariously thin. The pressure to maintain a certain lifestyle, coupled with rising living costs, has left millions walking a financial tightrope.

Consider these sobering facts from the UK's financial landscape:

  • Precarious Savings: The Financial Conduct Authority's (FCA) 2023 Financial Lives survey revealed that a staggering 11% of UK adults (approximately 6 million people) had less than £100 in savings. A further 33% had between £100 and £1,999, an amount that would barely cover a month's rent or mortgage payment in many parts of the country.
  • The Sickness Impact: In 2023, an estimated 185.6 million working days were lost because of sickness or injury in the UK, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This was the highest figure since records began in 1995, highlighting the very real and frequent risk of being unable to work.
  • The Sick Pay Illusion: While many believe their employer will support them, Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) offers a minimal safety net. For the 2024/25 tax year, it stands at just £116.75 per week, for a maximum of 28 weeks. For most households, this is a catastrophic drop in income that would make covering essential bills impossible.

This chasm between our aspirations and our financial preparedness is known as the "protection gap." It's the void into which families fall when the primary earner can no longer work, when a critical illness strikes, or when a life is cut tragically short.

Closing this gap isn't about pessimism; it's about pragmatism. It's about acknowledging the risks so you can neutralise them, freeing you to focus entirely on your path to growth.


Deconstructing the Pillars of Protection: What Are We Really Talking About?

The world of insurance can seem complex, filled with jargon and acronyms. But at its heart, it’s about providing the right money, to the right people, at the right time. Let's demystify the core products that form the foundation of a robust financial safety net.

1. Income Protection Insurance

Often considered the bedrock of personal finance, Income Protection (IP) is designed to replace a portion of your monthly income if you are unable to work due to any illness or injury.

  • How it Works: It pays out a regular, tax-free monthly sum until you can return to work, reach retirement age, or the policy term ends, whichever comes first.
  • Key Feature: The 'any occupation' or 'own occupation' definition is crucial. 'Own occupation' is the gold standard, as it means the policy will pay out if you are unable to do your specific job.
  • Who Needs It: Essential for everyone who relies on their monthly salary, but particularly vital for the self-employed and freelancers who have no access to employer sick pay.

2. Critical Illness Cover (CIC)

This cover provides a one-off, tax-free lump sum if you are diagnosed with one of a list of specified serious illnesses.

  • How it Works: Upon diagnosis of a condition like cancer, a heart attack, or a stroke (the "big three," which account for the vast majority of claims), the policy pays out its full sum. This money can be used for anything – to clear a mortgage, pay for private treatment, adapt your home, or simply give you financial breathing space to recover without stress.
  • Key Feature: The number and quality of conditions covered can vary significantly between insurers. It's not just about the number, but the clarity and fairness of the definitions.
  • Who Needs It: Anyone with significant financial commitments, like a mortgage, or who wants the peace of mind that a serious diagnosis won't also trigger a financial crisis.

3. Life Insurance (or Life Protection)

The most well-known form of protection, Life Insurance pays out a lump sum to your loved ones if you pass away during the policy term.

  • How it Works: You choose a level of cover and a term (e.g., £250,000 over 25 years to match your mortgage). If you die within that term, your beneficiaries receive the money.
  • Key Feature: It’s typically very affordable, especially when taken out at a young age. It provides certainty that your debts will be cleared and your family provided for.
  • Who Needs It: Anyone with dependents (children, a partner) or significant debts (like a mortgage) that would fall to others to pay.

4. Family Income Benefit

This is a clever and often more affordable alternative to standard life insurance.

  • How it Works: Instead of a single lump sum, this policy pays out a regular, tax-free monthly or annual income to your family from the time of your death until the policy's end date.
  • Key Feature: It’s designed to directly replace your lost salary, making budgeting much simpler for your family. Because the total potential payout decreases over time, the premiums are often lower than for an equivalent lump-sum policy.
  • Who Needs It: Young families on a budget who need to ensure school fees, bills, and living costs are covered month by month.

Comparing Your Core Protection Options

To make it clearer, here’s a simple table comparing these essential products:

FeatureIncome ProtectionCritical Illness CoverLife InsuranceFamily Income Benefit
PurposeReplace lost earningsCover costs of illnessPay off debts/provide for familyReplace lost salary
PayoutRegular monthly incomeTax-free lump sumTax-free lump sumRegular tax-free income
TriggerUnable to work (illness/injury)Diagnosis of a specified illnessDeathDeath
Ideal ForEveryone who worksMortgage holders, familiesAnyone with dependents/debtsYoung families, budget-conscious

The Unseen ROI: How Protection Fuels Personal Mastery

We often frame insurance in terms of what it prevents: financial ruin, debt, and hardship. But its true power lies in what it enables. The return on investment (ROI) isn't just financial; it's psychological, emotional, and professional.

The Freedom to Be Bold

Imagine you’re considering a career change, launching a business, or going freelance. The biggest barrier is often fear. "What if I get sick and have no income? How will I pay the mortgage?"

With a robust income protection policy in place, this fear diminishes. You have a guaranteed backstop. This financial security provides the psychological freedom to take calculated risks. It transforms a terrifying leap into a manageable step, empowering you to pursue the path that truly aligns with your ambitions, not just the one that feels safest.

Enhanced Focus and Performance

Financial stress is a notorious killer of productivity and creativity. When you're worried about money, a significant portion of your mental energy is diverted. You're less present, less focused, and less capable of the deep work required for true mastery.

By removing the existential threat of a financial shock, protection insurance frees up this cognitive bandwidth. You can dedicate your full attention to your work, your craft, and your personal development. Lower stress is linked to better sleep, improved decision-making, and greater resilience—all essential ingredients for high performance.

Health as a Proactive Asset

Modern insurance is evolving. Many leading insurers now offer extensive wellness programmes and value-added benefits as part of their policies. These can include:

  • Discounted gym memberships
  • Access to remote GP services 24/7
  • Mental health support and counselling sessions
  • Second medical opinion services from global experts
  • Nutrition and lifestyle coaching

This shifts the dynamic from a reactive safety net to a proactive partnership in your health. It encourages you to view your wellbeing as your most valuable asset and gives you the tools to maintain it.

At WeCovr, we believe so strongly in this proactive approach that we go a step further. We provide all our protection clients with complimentary access to CalorieHero, our own AI-powered calorie and nutrition tracking app. It's our way of investing in your long-term health, helping you build positive habits that not only reduce your insurance risk but, more importantly, enhance your quality of life.

Get Tailored Quote

For the Self-Starters: A Business Owner's Guide to Bulletproofing Success

If you're a company director, business owner, self-employed professional, or freelancer, you are the engine of your enterprise. Your health and ability to work are not just personal assets; they are critical business assets. Standard personal protection is vital, but there are also specialist tools designed to protect the business itself.

The Sole Trader's and Freelancer's Dilemma

When you work for yourself, you lose the safety net of an employer. There is no company sick pay, no death-in-service benefit, and no one to pick up the slack if you're out of action. This makes personal protection non-negotiable.

  • Income Protection: This is your replacement sick pay scheme. It's the policy that keeps your personal bills paid and your household afloat if you can't work.
  • Personal Sick Pay: For those in riskier, hands-on jobs like electricians, plumbers, and construction workers, some insurers offer specific "Personal Sick Pay" policies. These are essentially short-term income protection plans, often with shorter deferment periods (the time you wait before the payout starts), designed for immediate financial needs.

The Limited Company Director's Toolkit

For directors of limited companies, you can leverage the company itself to provide protection in a highly tax-efficient manner.

Key Person Insurance

Who is indispensable to your business? It might be you, a co-founder with unique technical skills, or a top salesperson. If their sudden death or critical illness would cause a significant financial loss to the company, you need Key Person Insurance.

  • How it works: The company takes out and pays for a policy on the 'key person'. If that person dies or suffers a critical illness, the insurance pays a lump sum directly to the business.
  • What it's for: The funds can be used to recruit a replacement, cover lost profits during the disruption, repay business loans, or reassure investors and clients that the business can continue.

Executive Income Protection

This is a way for a business to provide high-quality income protection to its directors and valued employees.

  • How it works: The company pays the premiums for an individual income protection policy for an employee.
  • The benefit: The premiums are typically treated as a legitimate business expense, making them deductible against corporation tax. Unlike a salary increase to cover a personal plan, it's not usually considered a P11D benefit-in-kind, so there are no extra tax implications for the employee. It's a tax-efficient way to provide a first-class benefit.

Relevant Life Cover

For small businesses that don't have a full group death-in-service scheme, a Relevant Life Plan is a fantastic, tax-efficient alternative.

  • How it works: It’s a company-paid death-in-service policy for an individual employee or director. The company pays the premiums, which are an allowable business expense.
  • The benefit: The payout goes into a discretionary trust for the employee's family, so it doesn't form part of their estate for Inheritance Tax purposes. Crucially, the premiums are not treated as a benefit-in-kind, unlike most other medical or insurance benefits.

Personal vs. Business Protection: A Tax Snapshot

PolicyWho Pays?Who Receives Payout?Tax Treatment of Premiums
Personal Income ProtectionIndividual (from net pay)The individualNo tax relief
Executive Income ProtectionThe Limited CompanyThe individualAllowable business expense
Key Person InsuranceThe Limited CompanyThe Limited CompanyOften an allowable business expense
Relevant Life CoverThe Limited CompanyEmployee's family (via a trust)Allowable business expense

Navigating these options can be complex. The structure has significant tax implications, so seeking expert advice is paramount. At WeCovr, we specialise in helping business owners find the most efficient and effective combination of personal and business protection.


Building a Legacy: Protection as the Cornerstone of Family and Financial Planning

Your ambition isn't just for you. It's for your family, your children, and the future you want to build for them. Protection insurance is the tool that ensures your vision survives, no matter what.

Fortifying Relationships Under Pressure

A serious illness or the death of a partner is an immense emotional trial. When financial pressure is added to this, it can become unbearable. Arguments over money, the stress of mounting bills, and the fear of losing the family home can poison the time when a family most needs to come together.

By having cover in place, you remove money from the equation.

  • Critical Illness Cover allows a family to focus on recovery, not on how to pay the mortgage that month.
  • Life Insurance gives a grieving partner the space to mourn without the immediate, terrifying pressure of financial collapse.

This protection is an act of love. It's a gift of peace of mind to the people who matter most, ensuring that a health crisis doesn't become a relationship crisis.

Protecting Your Biggest Asset: Your Home

For most UK families, their home is their largest asset and their biggest liability. A mortgage is a 25-year promise, and your ability to earn is what underpins it. A life or critical illness policy is often called "mortgage protection" for a reason—it's designed to ensure that promise is kept.

A lump-sum payout can clear the outstanding mortgage balance in full, ensuring your family keeps their home, their stability, and their community, whatever happens to your income.

Leaving a Lasting, Tax-Efficient Legacy

Beyond simply clearing debts, life insurance is a powerful estate planning tool. It can provide a tax-free inheritance to your children, fund their future education, or set them up in life. By placing your life insurance policy in a simple trust, the payout typically falls outside of your estate for Inheritance Tax (IHT) purposes, meaning your beneficiaries receive 100% of the funds, quickly and without a 40% tax deduction.

The Specialist's Tool: Gift Inter Vivos Insurance

For those engaging in more advanced IHT planning, a lesser-known but highly effective product exists: Gift Inter Vivos insurance.

  • The Scenario: You make a large gift to a loved one, for example, a £100,000 deposit for a house. Under UK law, this is a "Potentially Exempt Transfer" (PET). If you live for 7 years after making the gift, it becomes fully exempt from IHT. However, if you die within 7 years, the value of the gift is added back into your estate and could be subject to IHT at 40%.
  • The Solution: A Gift Inter Vivos policy is a specific type of life insurance designed to cover this potential tax liability. It's a term insurance policy, often with a decreasing level of cover that mirrors the "taper relief" on the IHT liability between years 3 and 7. It guarantees that your gift reaches your loved one in full, without an unexpected tax bill.

This demonstrates how protection can be tailored to solve very specific, sophisticated financial planning needs, securing your legacy with precision.


Debunking the Myths: Common Misconceptions About Protection Insurance

Misinformation can be the biggest barrier to getting the cover you need. Let's tackle some of the most common myths head-on with facts.

Myth 1: "It's too expensive."

Reality: The cost of protection is highly flexible and depends on your age, health, lifestyle, and the amount of cover you need. A healthy, 30-year-old non-smoker can often secure £250,000 of life cover for less than the cost of a few weekly coffees. Family Income Benefit is an even more budget-friendly option. The real question is not "can I afford the premium?" but "could my family afford to live without my income?".

Myth 2: "Insurers never pay out."

Reality: This is demonstrably false. The Association of British Insurers (ABI) publishes annual statistics that paint a very different picture. In 2022 (the latest full-year data available), UK insurers paid out over £6.85 billion in protection claims.

  • 97.3% of all claims were paid.
  • 98% of life insurance claims were paid.
  • 91.6% of critical illness claims were paid.
  • 85.8% of income protection claims were paid.

The small percentage of claims that are declined are almost always due to "non-disclosure"—where the applicant wasn't truthful about their health or lifestyle on the application form. Honesty is the best policy.

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

Reality: While you may feel invincible, statistics show that illness can strike at any age. According to Cancer Research UK, around 35,500 people aged 25-49 are diagnosed with cancer each year in the UK. The best time to buy protection is when you are young and healthy. This is when premiums are at their absolute lowest, and you can lock in that price for the entire term of the policy. Waiting until you have a health scare is often too late, or far more expensive.

Myth 4: "I have sick pay from work."

Reality: You need to check your contract very carefully. While some employers offer generous sick pay schemes, many only provide the legal minimum: Statutory Sick Pay (SSP). As of 2024/25, SSP is just £116.75 per week and lasts for a maximum of 28 weeks. Could your family survive on less than £500 a month? For a long-term illness that keeps you off work for a year or more, SSP is wholly inadequate. An income protection policy is designed to bridge this gap for the long haul.


Your Action Plan: A Step-by-Step Guide to Securing Your Future

Feeling motivated? Here is a clear, actionable plan to turn that motivation into a robust financial foundation.

  • Step 1: Audit Your Reality.

    • Income: What is your monthly take-home pay?
    • Outgoings: List all your essential costs: mortgage/rent, utilities, food, transport, childcare.
    • Debts: What do you owe on your mortgage, loans, and credit cards?
    • Savings: How much do you have in accessible savings? How many months of outgoings would it cover?
    • Existing Cover: Dig out your employment contract. How much sick pay do you get, and for how long? Do you have any death-in-service benefits?
  • Step 2: Define Your "Why".

    • What are you trying to protect? Is the priority clearing the mortgage? Replacing your income for your family? Leaving an inheritance? Providing for your children's education? Protecting your business? Your "why" will determine the type and level of cover you need.
  • Step 3: Understand Your Health.

    • Be ready to answer questions honestly about your medical history, your family's medical history, your height, weight, and any lifestyle factors like smoking or alcohol consumption. This information is essential for accurate underwriting.
  • Step 4: Explore Your Options.

    • Review the different types of cover discussed in this guide. Think about which ones align with your "why" and your budget. Consider a combination of policies for comprehensive cover.
  • Step 5: Seek Expert Advice.

    • This is the most critical step. The UK protection market is vast, with dozens of insurers and hundreds of policy variations. An independent expert broker, like WeCovr, doesn't work for an insurer; we work for you. We can analyse your needs, compare the entire market to find the policies with the best definitions and the right price, and guide you through the application process. We handle the complexity so you can have clarity and confidence.

Conclusion: From Ambition to Achievement, The Protected Path is the Only Path

Your ambition is a powerful force. It drives you to build, to create, to learn, and to grow. But like a powerful engine, it requires a solid chassis to handle the road ahead, with all its unexpected twists and turns.

Financial protection is that chassis. It is the quiet, unwavering foundation that allows your ambition to flourish without fear. It ensures that a pothole—an injury, an illness, a tragedy—doesn't wreck the entire journey. It provides the stability to be daring, the security to be creative, and the peace of mind to be truly present in your life and with your loved ones.

Safeguarding your health and income isn't a distraction from your goals; it is an integral, strategic part of achieving them. It is the essential, overlooked ingredient for transforming personal ambition into a lasting legacy.


Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a medical examination to get protection insurance?

Generally, for most people taking out a standard amount of cover, a medical exam is not required. Insurers will rely on the answers you provide on your application form and may write to your GP for more information (with your permission). However, for older applicants, those with significant pre-existing health conditions, or those applying for very large amounts of cover, an insurer may request a medical screening, such as a nurse visit to check your blood pressure, height, weight, and take a blood or urine sample.

Can I get cover if I have a pre-existing medical condition?

Yes, in many cases you can. It is vital that you fully and honestly disclose any pre-existing conditions. The insurer's decision will depend on the nature and severity of the condition. They may offer cover on standard terms, charge an increased premium (a "loading"), or place an exclusion on the policy relating to that specific condition. In some cases, they may decline to offer cover. An expert broker can help you approach the insurers most likely to offer favourable terms for your specific condition.

How much cover do I actually need?

There is no single answer, as it's entirely based on your personal circumstances. For life insurance, a common rule of thumb is to seek cover for 10 times your annual salary, but a more precise method is to calculate your outstanding debts (mortgage, loans), future family living costs, and any specific goals like university fees. For income protection, you can typically cover 50-65% of your gross annual income. For critical illness, covering your mortgage and 1-2 years of income is a good starting point. The best way to determine the right amount is to conduct a full financial review with an advisor.

What is the difference between 'reviewable' and 'guaranteed' premiums?

This is a crucial distinction.
Guaranteed premiums mean the price you pay is fixed for the entire life of the policy. It may start slightly higher, but you have absolute certainty about the future cost.
Reviewable premiums may start cheaper, but the insurer has the right to review and increase your premiums at set intervals (e.g., every 5 years). These increases can be based on your age or the insurer's general claims experience, and they can sometimes become unaffordable over time. For long-term policies, guaranteed premiums are almost always recommended for peace of mind and long-term affordability.

Should I put my life insurance policy in a Trust?

For the vast majority of people, placing a life insurance policy in a trust is highly advisable. It is a simple legal arrangement, usually free to set up by the insurer, that offers two major benefits. Firstly, the policy payout goes directly to your chosen beneficiaries via the trust, avoiding the lengthy and complex probate process. This means your family gets the money much faster. Secondly, the payout from a policy in trust does not typically form part of your legal estate, meaning it is not liable for Inheritance Tax. This ensures your loved ones receive the full amount intended.

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.