Login

Future-Proofing Potential: Grow, Thrive, Protect

Future-Proofing Potential: Grow, Thrive, Protect 2025

In an era where personal growth gurus abound, we often overlook the most fundamental bedrock of true advancement: unshakeable security. Imagine a life where major health crises or financial shocks don't derail your journey, but rather become navigable challenges. This isn't just about insurance; it's about strategically future-proofing your potential.

By 2025, health statistics paint a stark picture: Macmillan Cancer Support projects that 1 in 2 UK individuals will face a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime, and the Mental Health Foundation estimates a quarter of adults are expected to experience a common mental health disorder annually. For those in physically demanding jobs like tradespeople, nurses, and electricians, the risk of an income-stopping illness or injury is a constant shadow.

Private health insurance offers a vital escape route from overwhelming NHS waiting lists, granting immediate access to diagnostics, specialist care, and tailored recovery plans, accelerating your return to full capacity and life goals. We reveal how Family Income Benefit, Income Protection, Personal Sick Pay, Life and Critical Illness Cover, and Gift Inter Vivos are not merely financial products, but empowerment tools. They bridge the gap between aspirational living and practical resilience, ensuring that unexpected illness or death doesn't devastate your family's future or your ability to pursue your passions. Discover how strategic protection isn't a cost, but an investment in the freedom to truly live, grow, and thrive – unburdened by the 'what ifs'.

The Uncomfortable Truth: Navigating the UK's Health Headwinds in 2025

While we focus on career ladders, personal development, and life experiences, a powerful undercurrent is reshaping the landscape of our lives: our health. The statistics for 2025 are not abstract numbers; they represent the real-life challenges faced by our friends, families, colleagues, and ourselves. Understanding this reality is the first step toward building genuine, lifelong resilience.

  • The Cancer Challenge: The projection from Macmillan Cancer Support that half of the UK population will be diagnosed with cancer at some point is a sobering reality check. While medical advancements have vastly improved survival rates, treatment can be a long, arduous journey involving significant time off work and unforeseen expenses.
  • The Mental Health Crisis: The strain of modern life is taking its toll. The Centre for Mental Health predicts that nearly 10 million people per year will need new or additional support for their mental health. Conditions like anxiety and depression are leading causes of long-term work absence, affecting not just income but overall quality of life.
  • The Physical Toll of Work: For millions in the UK, work is physically demanding. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reports that hundreds of thousands of workers suffer from work-related musculoskeletal disorders each year. For a self-employed electrician, a plumber, or a busy nurse, a back injury or a broken bone isn't an inconvenience—it's a direct threat to their livelihood.
  • The Pressure on the NHS: Our National Health Service is a source of immense national pride, but it is under unprecedented strain. As of early 2025, NHS England waiting lists for routine treatments remain stubbornly high, with millions waiting for appointments. While emergency care is world-class, the wait for diagnostics, specialist consultations, and elective surgery can stretch for many months, leaving people in pain, unable to work, and their lives on hold.
  • The Rise of Long-Term Sickness: Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows a significant increase in the number of people out of the workforce due to long-term sickness. This trend not only impacts individual households but also has broader economic consequences.

These trends converge to create a perfect storm of uncertainty. Relying solely on state support and the goodwill of employers is no longer a viable strategy for anyone serious about their long-term security and personal growth. The foundation of a thriving life is one where these potential health shocks have been anticipated and planned for.

From 'What If' to 'What's Next': The Psychological Freedom of Financial Security

The true value of financial protection isn't just the money it pays out; it's the peace of mind it provides today. It's about liberating your mental energy from the persistent, low-level anxiety of "what if?" and redirecting it towards "what's next?".

Think of it as cognitive load. Every worry about money—how you'd pay the mortgage if you were seriously ill, how the family would cope if you weren't around, whether you could afford to take time off to recover from an injury—consumes mental bandwidth. This is the same bandwidth you need for creativity, strategic thinking, learning new skills, and being present with your loved ones.

When you build a financial safety net, you offload that cognitive burden. You create a psychological space where you can:

  • Be More Ambitious: A self-employed consultant with a robust Income Protection policy might feel more confident pitching for a larger, more career-defining project, knowing their essential bills are covered even if the project has a slow start.
  • Take Calculated Risks: An entrepreneur can invest more boldly in their business, knowing their family's home and lifestyle are secured by Life and Critical Illness cover, separate from the business's fortunes.
  • Prioritise Recovery: Someone diagnosed with a serious illness can focus 100% on getting better, without the compounding stress of watching their savings dwindle. A lump sum from a Critical Illness policy can pay for private treatment, home modifications, or simply replace lost income.
  • Live More Fully: You can book that dream holiday, start that passion project, or switch to a more fulfilling but initially less stable career path, because your fundamental security isn't tied to a single, fragile monthly paycheque.

Financial protection transforms your mindset from defensive to offensive. Instead of constantly guarding against disaster, you are empowered to pursue opportunity. It is the invisible scaffolding that allows you to build a taller, more magnificent life.

Your Personal Protection Toolkit: A Guide to the Core Policies

Navigating the world of insurance can feel daunting, but it's simpler when you think of it as a toolkit. You select the right tools for the specific risks you want to manage. Here are the foundational policies that form the bedrock of personal financial resilience.

Life Insurance: The Cornerstone of Legacy

Life Insurance pays out a sum of money upon your death. It's not for you; it's for the people you leave behind. Its primary purpose is to replace your financial contribution, ensuring your loved ones aren't left with a legacy of debt.

  • Who needs it? Anyone with dependents (children, a partner who relies on your income) or significant debts (a mortgage).
  • Key Types:
Policy TypeHow It WorksBest For
Level TermPays a fixed lump sum if you die within a set term (e.g., 25 years).Covering an interest-only mortgage or providing a general family lump sum.
Decreasing TermThe payout amount reduces over time, usually in line with a repayment mortgage.The most affordable way to ensure your mortgage is paid off.
Family Income BenefitPays a regular, tax-free monthly or annual income instead of a lump sum.Replacing a lost salary to cover ongoing family living costs. Often more affordable.
Whole of LifeGuarantees a payout whenever you die, as long as you keep paying premiums.Covering a definite future cost, like an inheritance tax bill or funeral expenses.

Example: Sarah and Tom have two young children and a £250,000 repayment mortgage. They take out a joint Decreasing Term policy for that amount over 25 years. They also take out a small Family Income Benefit policy to provide £2,000 a month until their youngest child is 21. This dual approach ensures the house is safe and daily life can continue without financial hardship.

Critical Illness Cover (CIC): Your Financial First Responder

This policy pays out a tax-free lump sum if you are diagnosed with one of a list of specific serious illnesses, such as some types of cancer, heart attack, or stroke. It's designed to provide a financial cushion during a period of significant health trauma.

  • Who needs it? Almost every working adult. A serious illness can be more financially devastating than death, as you are still alive with bills to pay but potentially no income.
  • How it helps:
    • Replace lost income: Allows you and your partner to take time off work.
    • Pay for private treatment: Access specialists and therapies not available on the NHS.
    • Adapt your home: Install a ramp or downstairs bathroom.
    • Clear debts: Pay off a mortgage, loans, or credit cards to reduce monthly outgoings.
    • Fund your recovery: Pay for anything that makes life easier, from childcare to a recuperative holiday.

When considering CIC, the details matter. Insurers cover different conditions and have varying definitions. This is where working with an expert adviser from a brokerage like WeCovr is invaluable. We can compare the intricate details of policies from across the market to find the one with the most comprehensive definitions for the conditions that concern you most.

Get Tailored Quote

Income Protection (IP): The Ultimate Career Shield

Often described by financial experts as the one policy every working person should consider, Income Protection is arguably the most important of all. It's designed to replace a portion of your monthly income if you are unable to work due to any illness or injury.

  • Who needs it? Anyone who relies on their income to pay their bills. This is especially critical for the self-employed and those in the gig economy who have no access to employer sick pay.
  • Key Features:
    • The 'Any Occupation' Myth: Unlike less comprehensive policies, a good IP policy pays out if you cannot do your own specific job. This is a crucial definition to look for.
    • Deferred Period: This is the waiting period before the policy starts paying out (e.g., 4, 13, 26, or 52 weeks). The longer the period you can wait (covered by savings or sick pay), the lower the premium.
    • Long-Term Support: IP can pay out right up until you return to work, retire, or the policy term ends, potentially for many years. This is a key difference from short-term sick pay policies.

Example: Mark is a 35-year-old graphic designer earning £45,000 a year. He develops severe repetitive strain injury (RSI) and is signed off work by his doctor. His employer sick pay runs out after three months. Thankfully, his Income Protection policy, which has a 13-week deferred period, kicks in. It pays him £2,250 a month (60% of his gross income, tax-free) while he undergoes physiotherapy. This allows him to pay his rent and bills without stress, focusing fully on his recovery.

Private Medical Insurance (PMI): Your Fast-Track to Recovery

While the other policies provide a financial payout, PMI provides direct access to healthcare. With NHS waiting lists at historic highs, PMI is becoming less of a luxury and more of a necessity for those who cannot afford to wait months for diagnosis or treatment.

  • Who needs it? Individuals and families who want to bypass NHS queues, have more choice over their specialist and hospital, and get faster access to care.
  • Core Benefits:
    • Prompt Diagnosis: Get swift access to scans (MRI, CT) and consultations.
    • Specialist Access: Choose your consultant and hospital.
    • Comfort and Privacy: Recover in a private room.
    • Mental Health Support: Many modern policies include extensive cover for therapies and counselling.
    • Advanced Treatments: Access to drugs or treatments not yet approved for NHS use.

For many, the primary driver is getting back to work and life faster. A self-employed builder waiting six months for a knee operation is losing six months of income. With PMI, that wait could be reduced to just a few weeks.

Tailored Fortresses: Protection for Every Walk of Life

Your protection needs are as unique as you are. A one-size-fits-all approach doesn't work. The right strategy depends on your career, family structure, and financial goals.

For the Self-Employed and Freelancers

You are your business's most critical asset. If you can't work, the income stops. There is no statutory sick pay, no compassionate employer, no safety net other than the one you build yourself.

  • Priority No. 1: Income Protection. This is non-negotiable. It is your replacement sick pay scheme. Opt for an 'own occupation' definition and a deferred period that matches your cash reserves.
  • Priority No. 2: Critical Illness Cover. A lump sum payout provides breathing space to recover without draining your business or personal savings.
  • Priority No. 3: Private Medical Insurance. Minimising downtime is everything. PMI gets you diagnosed and treated faster, getting you back to earning.

For Tradespeople, Nurses, and Physical Professionals

Your body is your primary tool. The risk of an income-stopping injury is statistically higher than for an office worker.

  • Robust Income Protection: Again, this is essential. Insurers will look at the specific risks of your trade, so be prepared for detailed questions. Full transparency is key.
  • Personal Sick Pay Policies: These are a simpler, often more affordable alternative to full IP. They typically pay out for a shorter period (1 or 2 years) and can be a good starting point, especially for those in higher-risk jobs who find full IP premiums prohibitive. They are designed to cover you for accidents and sickness.
  • Fracture Cover: Many modern Life and Critical Illness policies allow you to add 'fracture cover' for a small additional premium, providing a small lump sum for specific broken bones—a common risk in manual trades.

For Young Families

Protecting your children's future is the primary motivation for many. The goal is to ensure their world remains stable even if the worst happens.

  • Family Income Benefit (FIB): This is often a better and more affordable choice than a large lump-sum life insurance policy. It provides a steady, tax-free income stream that mirrors a lost salary, making budgeting simple for the surviving partner. It's designed to cover the expensive childhood and university years.
  • Joint Life, First Diagnosis Critical Illness Cover: This covers both partners but pays out on the first person to be diagnosed with a critical illness. It's a cost-effective way to ensure financial support is there when either parent needs to stop work to care for the other or recover themselves.

For Astute Planners: Mitigating Inheritance Tax with Gift Inter Vivos

As you accumulate wealth, your thoughts may turn to estate planning. Inheritance Tax (IHT) can take a 40% bite out of assets you leave to loved ones above a certain threshold.

  • The 'Gift Inter Vivos' Problem: You can gift assets away during your lifetime to reduce your estate's value. However, if you die within seven years of making the gift, it may still be subject to IHT on a sliding scale. This can create an unexpected tax bill for the recipient.
  • The Solution: A 'Gift Inter Vivos' insurance policy is a specific type of life insurance designed to cover this potential IHT liability. It's a term assurance policy, typically for seven years, with a decreasing payout that mirrors the reducing tax liability. It ensures your gift is received in full, as you intended.

The Business Imperative: Protecting Your Company's Most Valuable Assets

For company directors and business owners, the line between personal and business finance can be blurred. Protecting the business is a way of protecting yourself and your family. Smart use of business protection policies can be incredibly tax-efficient.

Key Person Insurance

Who is indispensable to your business? Your star salesperson who brings in 40% of the revenue? The technical genius who created your core product? Key Person Insurance is a policy taken out and paid for by the business on the life or health of a critical employee.

  • How it works: If the key person dies or suffers a critical illness, the policy pays a lump sum to the business.
  • What it's for:
    • Covering loss of profits during the disruption.
    • Recruiting and training a replacement.
    • Reassuring lenders and investors.
    • Paying off business loans.

Executive Income Protection

This is a way for a company to provide Income Protection for its directors and employees, paid for by the business.

  • The Tax Advantage: Premiums are typically an allowable business expense, and the benefits are paid to the company, which then pays them to the employee through PAYE. This is often more tax-efficient than a director paying for a personal policy from their post-tax income.
  • Higher Limits: It can often provide a higher level of cover than personal IP policies, sometimes up to 80% of earnings.

Relevant Life Cover

This is a tax-efficient death-in-service benefit for individual employees or directors, paid for by the company. It's particularly useful for small businesses that don't have enough employees for a full group scheme.

  • How it works: It's a life insurance policy written into a discretionary trust. The business pays the premiums, which are typically an allowable business expense.
  • The Benefit: If the employee dies, the payout goes into the trust and is paid to their family, completely free of IHT. It does not form part of the employee’s lifetime pension allowance, which is a major advantage for high earners.
Business PolicyWho Pays?Who Benefits?Primary Purpose
Key PersonThe BusinessThe BusinessProtect business continuity & profits.
Exec. Income ProtectionThe BusinessThe Employee (via the business)Provide tax-efficient income replacement.
Relevant Life CoverThe BusinessEmployee's Family (via trust)Provide a tax-efficient death benefit.

Beyond the Policy: Investing in Your Holistic Wellbeing

True future-proofing isn't just about financial safety nets; it's about proactively investing in your health to reduce the chances of needing them. The best insurance claim is the one you never have to make. A healthy lifestyle is your first and most important line of defence.

  • Sleep: Prioritise 7-9 hours of quality sleep. It's crucial for cognitive function, immune response, and mental health.
  • Nutrition: A balanced diet rich in whole foods reduces the risk of numerous chronic diseases, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers.
  • Activity: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, as recommended by the NHS. This includes everything from brisk walking to cycling and strength training.
  • Mindfulness: Practices like meditation and spending time in nature can significantly reduce stress, a major contributor to both mental and physical illness.

At WeCovr, we believe in this holistic approach. Our commitment to our clients' wellbeing extends beyond just finding the right policy. That's why we provide our customers with complimentary access to CalorieHero, our proprietary AI-powered calorie and nutrition tracking app. We see it as our way of helping you build a stronger, healthier foundation for the future you're protecting.

Many modern insurance policies also come with valuable 'value-added' benefits that support your wellbeing today, such as:

  • Virtual GP Services: 24/7 access to a GP via phone or video call.
  • Mental Health Support: Access to counselling sessions and support lines.
  • Second Medical Opinions: Get an expert review of a diagnosis or treatment plan.
  • Fitness & Nutrition Programmes: Discounts on gym memberships and access to wellness apps.

When choosing a policy, don't just look at the price; look at the overall value and the support it provides for a healthier life.

Building Your Shield: A Practical Guide to Getting Protected

Feeling motivated to act is the first step. Here’s a simple, practical process to turn that motivation into meaningful protection.

  1. Assess Your Reality: Get a clear picture of your finances. Use a simple budget to understand your monthly income and outgoings. What are your non-negotiable costs (mortgage/rent, utilities, food)? This number is the absolute minimum your protection policies need to cover.
  2. Identify Your Gaps: What would happen if your income stopped tomorrow? How long would your savings last? Do you have sick pay from an employer, and if so, for how long? The answers to these questions will determine the 'deferred period' on an Income Protection policy and the amount of cover you need.
  3. Don't Go It Alone – Seek Expert Advice: The protection market is complex. Definitions, exclusions, and policy features vary wildly between insurers. Trying to compare them yourself is time-consuming and risky. An independent broker's job is to do this for you.
  4. Embrace Independent Comparison: At WeCovr, we are not tied to any single insurer. We use our expertise and sophisticated technology to scan the entire market, from major household names to specialist providers. We present you with clear, unbiased options, explaining the pros and cons of each, ensuring you get the most comprehensive cover for your specific needs and budget.
  5. Be Honest and Thorough: When you apply for insurance, you will be asked detailed questions about your health, lifestyle, and occupation. Be completely transparent. Withholding information, even accidentally, could invalidate your policy precisely when you need it most. An adviser can help guide you through this process to ensure your application is accurate.

Building your financial fortress is one of the most empowering actions you can take. It’s a profound act of care for your future self and your family. It clears the path, removes the obstacles of worry, and gives you the ultimate permission to focus on what truly matters: living a life of purpose, growth, and joy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is financial protection really necessary if I'm young and healthy?

Absolutely. In many ways, it's *more* important when you're young and healthy. Firstly, premiums are significantly lower when you're younger and have fewer health issues. You lock in that low price for the life of the policy. Secondly, your financial value to your family is at its peak; you have a whole career of future earnings to protect. Accidents and illnesses can happen to anyone at any age, and being prepared is a sign of financial maturity, not pessimism.

How much cover do I actually need?

There's no single answer, as it's entirely personal. A common rule of thumb for life insurance is to cover 10 times your annual salary, but a more accurate method is to calculate your specific needs: clear your mortgage and any other debts, provide for your children's education, and replace your income for a set number of years. For Income Protection, you can typically cover 50-70% of your gross annual income. A financial adviser can help you perform a detailed needs analysis to arrive at the right figure for you.

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

In many cases, yes. It's crucial to declare any pre-existing conditions fully on your application. The insurer will then make a decision. There are three likely outcomes: 1) You are offered cover on standard terms. 2) You are offered cover but with an exclusion for your specific condition. 3) You are offered cover but with an increased premium (a 'loading'). In some cases, cover may be declined. An experienced broker can help you approach specialist insurers who are more likely to offer favourable terms for certain conditions.

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

This is a common point of confusion. They cover different risks.
  • Critical Illness Cover pays a one-off, tax-free lump sum if you are diagnosed with a specific condition listed on the policy (e.g., cancer, stroke). It's designed for a major health event.
  • Income Protection pays a regular, tax-free monthly income if you're unable to work due to any illness or injury (e.g., back pain, stress, depression) after a pre-agreed waiting period. It's designed to replace your salary.

They are not mutually exclusive; in an ideal world, you would have both, as they serve different but complementary purposes.

Is Private Medical Insurance worth it if we have the NHS?

The NHS provides excellent emergency and critical care. PMI is not a replacement for the NHS but a supplement to it. Its primary value lies in providing speed, choice, and convenience for non-emergency conditions. If being able to bypass long waiting lists for diagnosis and treatment—thereby reducing pain, anxiety, and time off work—is important to you, then PMI can be extremely worthwhile. It's about regaining control over your health journey and getting back to your life faster.

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.