WeCovr.

Getting Critical Illness Cover with a Family History of Alzheimers

WeCovr Editorial Team · experienced insurance advisers
Last updated Mar 14, 2026
📚 Recommended reads

Life Insurance Guide

Read

Best Life Insurance Providers

Read

Term Life Insurance Guide

Read
Getting Critical Illness Cover with a Family History of...

TL;DR

At WeCovr, our expert advisers help UK residents with a family history of Alzheimer's find affordable Critical Illness Cover by demystifying how insurers assess genetic risk and comparing the entire market for you.

Key takeaways

  • A family history of Alzheimer's does not automatically prevent you from getting Critical Illness Cover.
  • Insurers focus on the age of onset and number of first-degree relatives affected, not just the diagnosis.
  • You are not required to disclose predictive genetic test results under the ABI Code on Genetic Testing & Insurance.
  • Dementia and Alzheimer's are standard conditions on most modern UK Critical Illness policies, but terms can vary.
  • Working with an expert broker significantly improves your chances of finding fair and affordable cover.

How underwriters assess genetic risks for dementia when setting CI premiums

Watching a family member navigate the challenges of Alzheimer's disease is a deeply personal and often distressing experience. It's natural for this to prompt questions about your own future, not just in terms of health, but also financial security. One of the most common questions we hear at WeCovr is: "Can I still get critical illness cover if dementia runs in my family?"

The short answer is yes, it is often possible. However, insurers need to understand the specific details of your family's health history to assess the level of risk. This process, known as underwriting, can feel opaque and intimidating.

This guide will demystify how UK insurance underwriters assess a family history of Alzheimer's and other dementias when you apply for critical illness cover. We will provide the clarity you need to make informed decisions and secure the right financial protection for you and your loved ones.

Understanding the Basics: Critical Illness Cover and Dementia

Before diving into the underwriting specifics, it's essential to understand what Critical Illness Cover (CIC) is and how it relates to dementia.

What is Critical Illness Cover? Critical Illness Cover is a type of insurance policy that pays out a tax-free lump sum if you are diagnosed with one of a list of specific serious medical conditions during the policy term.

The core purpose of this payout is to provide a financial cushion at a time of immense personal stress. You can use the money for anything you need, such as:

  • Paying off a mortgage or other debts
  • Covering lost income if you or a partner have to stop working
  • Funding private medical treatment or specialist care
  • Making necessary adaptations to your home
  • Reducing financial stress so you can focus on your health and family

How Modern Policies Cover Dementia and Alzheimer's A key point of reassurance is that "Dementia including Alzheimer's disease" is now a standard condition on virtually all comprehensive Critical Illness policies in the UK.

The typical definition requires a confirmed diagnosis by a specialist consultant and evidence of permanent, irreversible symptoms that necessitate you having supervision to protect yourself or others.

While the inclusion of dementia is standard, the precise wording can vary between insurers. This is one of the many reasons why comparing policies with the help of an expert adviser is so important. An adviser can scrutinise the Key Features documents to ensure the definition is robust and fair.

Real-Life Scenario: Sarah, a 52-year-old graphic designer, is diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's. Her £150,000 critical illness policy pays out. This allows her husband to reduce his working hours to care for her, pay for home help, and clear their outstanding mortgage. The financial safety net removes a huge burden, allowing them to navigate the future with greater security and dignity.

The Underwriter's View: How Your Family History is Assessed

When you apply for critical illness cover, you complete a detailed health and lifestyle questionnaire. If you declare a family history of Alzheimer's, an insurance underwriter will carefully review the information. Their goal is not to predict your health, but to make a statistical assessment of risk based on established medical and actuarial evidence.

Here are the crucial factors they analyse:

  1. The Relationship to You: Insurers are primarily concerned with first-degree relatives – your biological parents and siblings. A condition in a grandparent, aunt, or uncle (second-degree relatives) carries significantly less weight and often has no impact on your application.

  2. The Age of Onset: This is the single most important factor. Underwriters draw a clear line between early-onset and late-onset dementia.

    • Late-Onset (Typically 65+): If your parent or sibling was diagnosed over the age of 65, insurers generally do not consider this to have a significant genetic link for underwriting purposes. In most cases, it will not affect your premiums or cover.
    • Early-Onset (Typically under 65): A diagnosis in a first-degree relative before the age of 65 is considered more genetically significant. This is the scenario that will trigger a more detailed assessment and is more likely to impact the terms of your policy.

  3. The Number of Affected Relatives: The risk profile changes dramatically depending on whether one or multiple family members have been diagnosed.

    • One affected first-degree relative: This will be assessed based on their age of onset.
    • Two or more affected first-degree relatives: This is a major red flag for underwriters, regardless of the age of onset, as it suggests a much stronger potential genetic predisposition.

A Summary of Likely Underwriting Outcomes

To give you a clearer picture, the table below outlines the most common underwriting decisions based on different family history scenarios. These are general guidelines, and the final decision can vary between insurers.

Family History ScenarioTypical Underwriting Outcome for Critical Illness Cover
One 2nd-degree relative (e.g., grandparent) at any ageStandard Rates. Almost always accepted with no change in premium or terms. This is considered a very low risk.
One 1st-degree relative (e.g., parent) diagnosed at age 65+Standard Rates. Most UK insurers will offer you cover at their standard price with no exclusions.
One 1st-degree relative (e.g., parent) diagnosed at age 60-64Premium Loading. You will likely be offered cover, but with an increased premium (a 'loading'), typically between +50% and +100%.
One 1st-degree relative (e.g., sibling) diagnosed at under age 60Exclusion or Decline. A dementia-specific exclusion is highly likely. Some insurers may decline the application for critical illness cover altogether.
Two or more 1st-degree relatives at any ageDecline. It is very difficult to get critical illness cover in this scenario. Most insurers will decline the application.

The Takeaway: For the vast majority of applicants, whose family members were diagnosed in their 70s or 80s, a family history of Alzheimer's will not be a barrier to getting standard critical illness cover. The focus is squarely on early-onset cases in immediate family.

Genetic Testing and Insurance: Your Rights Under the ABI Code

A common and understandable fear is whether you will be forced to take a genetic test or disclose the results of one you've already taken.

The answer is a firm and reassuring no.

The UK insurance industry operates under a strict agreement with the Department of Health and Social Care called the Code on Genetic Testing and Insurance. This code provides crucial consumer protection.

Here's what you need to know:

  • No Obligation to Test: Insurers cannot ask you or force you to undergo a predictive genetic test to get insurance.
  • Predictive Test Results are Private: For most policies, you do not have to disclose the result of a predictive genetic test. A predictive test is one taken when you have no symptoms to gauge your future risk (e.g., testing for the APOE4 gene, which is associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer's).
  • High-Value Policy Thresholds: You are not required to disclose predictive test results for:
    • Life insurance policies up to £500,000.
    • Critical illness cover policies up to £500,000.
    • Income protection policies of any value.

Since most people buy cover below these thresholds, the vast majority of applicants never have to worry about disclosing predictive test results.

Diagnostic vs. Predictive Tests It's vital to understand the difference. The Code protects predictive test results. If you develop symptoms of a condition and a doctor uses a genetic test to reach a diagnosis, you must disclose the diagnosis itself, just as you would for any other medical condition.

Your Duty of Disclosure While the Code protects your genetic privacy, you still have a legal duty to answer all questions on the application form fully and truthfully. This includes questions about your family medical history. You must provide accurate details on:

  • Which relatives were diagnosed.
  • What the condition was.
  • The age they were at diagnosis.

Withholding or misrepresenting this information constitutes 'non-disclosure' and could lead to your policy being cancelled and any future claim being denied. An expert adviser can help you navigate the application form to ensure you meet your disclosure duties without volunteering unnecessary information.

Get Tailored Quote

What if Your Application is Declined or Comes with an Exclusion?

Receiving a decline or a policy with altered terms can be disheartening, but it is not the end of the story. You have several alternative strategies to ensure you still have a robust financial safety net.

1. Don't Accept the First "No" - Approach the Whole Market

Insurers have different appetites for risk. Their underwriting manuals, known as 'philosophies', are not identical. An insurer who declines an application might be more conservative than another who would accept it with a premium loading.

This is where an independent broker like WeCovr becomes invaluable.

Instead of you applying to insurer after insurer and leaving a trail of applications, we can use our market knowledge and relationships with underwriters to:

  • Identify Lenient Insurers: We know which providers are historically more flexible regarding specific family histories.
  • Conduct Anonymous Enquiries: We can discuss your case with underwriters on a 'pre-application' basis without using your name, gauging the likely outcome before a formal application is made.
  • Secure the Best Possible Terms: Our goal is to find you the most comprehensive cover at the most competitive price the market can offer.

2. Consider an Exclusion

If you are offered critical illness cover but with an exclusion for "dementia and other neurodegenerative disorders," should you take it?

Often, the answer is yes. While you would not be covered for dementia, the policy would still provide a vital payout for all the other major conditions, including:

  • Cancer (the most common reason for a CIC claim)
  • Heart Attack
  • Stroke
  • Multiple Sclerosis

A policy that covers dozens of other serious conditions is far better than having no cover at all.

3. Pivot to Other Types of Protection

If comprehensive critical illness cover proves unattainable or too expensive, you can build a powerful safety net using other, often more accessible, insurance products.

  • Income Protection: This is arguably the most fundamental cover of all. It pays a replacement monthly income if any illness or injury prevents you from working. Underwriting for income protection is less focused on specific conditions and more on your ability to do your job. A family history of Alzheimer's has a much smaller impact on an income protection application than a CIC application.
  • Life Insurance: Getting life cover is almost always easier and cheaper than getting critical illness cover. A family history of early-onset Alzheimer's might result in a small premium increase, but a decline is rare. This ensures your family is protected from debts and financial hardship if you pass away.
  • Family Income Benefit: This is a type of life insurance that pays out a regular, tax-free monthly income to your family upon your death, rather than a single lump sum. It's an affordable way to replace your lost income for your dependents.

Special Considerations for Business Owners and the Self-Employed

If you run your own business or are self-employed, the financial consequences of a critical illness diagnosis are magnified. You have no employer sick pay to fall back on, and the health of your business is often tied directly to your own.

The Self-Employed and Freelancers For a sole trader, a critical illness diagnosis can halt income overnight. A critical illness payout provides essential breathing room to manage your health without the immediate pressure of bills and business expenses. It becomes your primary emergency fund.

Company Directors For directors of limited companies, protection planning goes beyond personal cover and extends to the business itself. A family history of Alzheimer's will be assessed in the same way for these business policies.

  • Key Person Insurance: This is a life or critical illness policy owned and paid for by the business, insuring a vital director or employee. If that 'key person' is diagnosed with a critical illness like dementia, the payout goes directly to the business. The funds can be used to hire a replacement, cover lost profits, or reassure lenders, ensuring the business can survive the disruption.
  • Shareholder Protection: This uses critical illness policies to fund a buy-sell agreement between business partners. If a shareholder is diagnosed with a specified condition, the policy payout provides the funds for the remaining shareholders to buy out their shares at a pre-agreed price. This prevents the shares from passing to a family member who may have no interest or skill in running the business, ensuring a smooth and fair transition.
  • Executive Income Protection: This is a company-owned income protection policy for a director or key employee. Premiums are a legitimate business expense, making it a highly tax-efficient way to secure an income. As with personal income protection, it is often easier to secure than critical illness cover when there's a family history of dementia.

Advanced Planning: The Role of Whole of Life Insurance

As you consider your long-term financial health, especially in light of potential care needs later in life, other forms of insurance become relevant. Whole of Life assurance is a powerful tool, particularly for estate planning.

It is crucial to understand how modern policies work, as they are very different from the complex products sold decades ago.

Modern, Transparent Whole of Life Plans In modern UK protection planning, most whole of life policies are pure protection with no cash-in value. If you stop paying your premiums, the cover simply ends and you get nothing back.

These plans are designed to do one thing perfectly: provide a guaranteed, tax-free lump sum payout when you die, whenever that may be. Because the payout is certain, they are transparent, affordable, and ideally suited for two main purposes:

  1. Covering an Inheritance Tax (IHT) Bill: A Whole of Life policy written in an appropriate trust can pay out to your beneficiaries, who can then use the funds to pay the IHT bill on your estate, ensuring your home and other assets can be passed on intact.
  2. Leaving a Guaranteed Legacy: You can use a policy to leave a fixed sum to your children, grandchildren, or a chosen charity, completely separate from the rest of your estate.

How Older Policies Differed It is important not to confuse these modern plans with older investment-linked or with-profits whole of life policies. Those complex plans bundled life cover with an investment component. Part of your premium paid for the insurance, and the rest was invested. While they could build a 'surrender value', they were expensive, inflexible, and their performance was not guaranteed. Many people found that if they surrendered the policy early, the value they got back was less than the total premiums they had paid in.

At WeCovr, we focus on straightforward, guaranteed pure protection plans, comparing the market to find the most cost-effective cover for your needs.

Your Action Plan: 5 Steps to Securing Cover

Navigating the insurance market can be complex, but a structured approach makes it manageable.

  1. Gather Your Facts: Before you begin, get precise information on your family's medical history. Know which first-degree relative was diagnosed, with what specific condition, and their exact age at diagnosis. Accuracy is vital.
  2. Embrace a Healthy Lifestyle: While you can't change your family history, insurers assess your overall health. Factors like your BMI, smoking status, alcohol consumption, and blood pressure all affect your premiums. A healthier lifestyle can help offset other risks. WeCovr provides complimentary access to our CalorieHero AI-powered nutrition app to support our clients in their wellness goals.
  3. Do Not Go Direct to a Single Insurer: Applying directly and being declined can make it harder to get cover elsewhere. An insurer's decision is not the final word; it's just their decision.
  4. Speak to an Independent Protection Broker: This is the most important step. A specialist adviser acts as your advocate. We know the market, we can talk to underwriters on your behalf, and we will fight to get you the best terms available. Our service costs you nothing.
  5. Always Use a Trust: For any life insurance or critical illness policy that is not intended to pay off your mortgage, placing it in trust is essential. It's a simple legal arrangement that ensures the policy payout goes directly to your chosen beneficiaries quickly, without getting caught up in probate and without being liable for Inheritance Tax. We help all our clients with this, free of charge.

Protecting your family's financial future when you have concerns about your own health is a profound act of care. While a family history of Alzheimer's requires careful navigation, it is rarely an insurmountable barrier to obtaining the critical illness cover and financial security you deserve.

The key is to seek expert, independent advice. An adviser can turn a confusing and stressful process into a clear and successful one.

Ready to find out your options? Our friendly team of experts is here to help you compare quotes from across the UK market and find the right protection for your unique circumstances.

Do I have to tell insurers about a family history of Alzheimer's?

Yes, you have a legal duty to answer all questions on an insurance application form honestly and accurately. This includes declaring any diagnosed cases of Alzheimer's or dementia in your first-degree relatives (biological parents and siblings), along with their age at diagnosis.

Will a genetic test for the Alzheimer's gene affect my insurance application?

No. Under the UK's Code on Genetic Testing and Insurance, you do not have to disclose the results of a predictive genetic test for critical illness policies up to £500,000. Insurers are also forbidden from asking you to take such a test.

Is dementia always covered by Critical Illness policies?

Dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, is a standard condition on the vast majority of modern, comprehensive Critical Illness policies in the UK. However, the exact definition for a claim can vary, so it is vital to review the policy's terms and conditions with an adviser.

What's more important to an insurer: a parent with Alzheimer's or a grandparent?

A parent's diagnosis carries significantly more weight for underwriters as they are a first-degree relative. A grandparent is a second-degree relative, and their diagnosis will rarely impact your application. The most critical factor of all is the age of a first-degree relative at diagnosis.

Sources

  • Association of British Insurers (ABI)
  • Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
  • GOV.UK
  • NHS
  • Office for National Statistics (ONS)
  • Alzheimer's Research UK
  • Alzheimer's Society

Disclaimer: This is general guidance only and does not constitute formal tax or financial advice. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances, policy terms, and HMRC interpretation, which cannot be guaranteed in advance. Whenever applicable, businesses and individuals should always consult a qualified accountant or tax adviser before arranging such policies.

Related tools

Life Insurance CalculatorOpen →
Critical Illness CalculatorOpen →
Inheritance Tax CalculatorOpen →
Policy in Trust SaverOpen →
Back to Life Insurance & Protection hub

WeCovr is an FCA‑regulated insurance broker. We may earn a commission if you purchase a policy via us. This guide is written to be impartial and informational.

Flagship guides

Protection Score
Read now →
Life Insurance UK 2026 Buyer's Guide
Read now →
Term Life Insurance UK: Complete Guide
Read now →
Whole of Life Insurance UK Explained
Read now →

Explore insurance hubs

PMI Guides Hub
Life Insurance Guides Hub
Income Protection Guides Hub

Related guides

Getting Critical Illness Cover with a Family History of Bowel Cancer
Getting Critical Illness Cover with a Family History of Bowel Cancer
Read more →
Getting Critical Illness Cover with a Family History of Breast Cancer
Getting Critical Illness Cover with a Family History of Breast Cancer
Read more →
Getting Critical Illness Cover with a Family History of Ovarian Cancer
Getting Critical Illness Cover with a Family History of Ovarian Cancer
Read more →
Getting Critical Illness Cover After a Cancer Diagnosis
Getting Critical Illness Cover After a Cancer Diagnosis
Read more →
Getting Critical Illness Cover After a Heart Attack
Getting Critical Illness Cover After a Heart Attack
Read more →
Getting Critical Illness Cover for a Mortgage Decreasing vs Level Term
Getting Critical Illness Cover for a Mortgage Decreasing vs Level Term
Read more →

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 experienced 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 900,000+ 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!