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Growth's Unseen Shield: Thrive Securely

Growth's Unseen Shield: Thrive Securely 2026

Imagine a life where your personal growth isn't limited by fear of the unexpected. As one in two people in the UK will face a cancer diagnosis, and daily risks challenge our most vital workers – from tradespeople to nurses and electricians – true personal development demands more than ambition. Discover how strategic protection, including comprehensive income security, critical illness cover, and the swift access of private health insurance, isn't just a safety net but the empowering, unseen foundation that frees you to genuinely flourish, deepen relationships, and build your ultimate legacy.

We live in an age of self-improvement. We strive to learn new skills, advance our careers, nurture our relationships, and build a meaningful life. Yet, in our pursuit of growth, we often overlook the very foundation upon which it is all built: our health and our ability to earn an income.

This isn't about pessimism; it's about empowerment. True freedom to pursue your ambitions comes not from ignoring risks, but from strategically preparing for them. It’s about creating an "unseen shield" that protects you, your family, and your future from life's most challenging curveballs. Without this shield, our dreams are fragile, vulnerable to being derailed by a single diagnosis, accident, or unforeseen illness.

This comprehensive guide will explore how to build that shield. We'll delve into the real-world risks we face, demystify the core types of protection insurance available in the UK, and demonstrate how they serve as the crucial, often invisible, enabler of a life lived to its fullest potential.

The Illusion of Invincibility: Why We Neglect Our Financial Foundations

Human beings are hardwired with an optimism bias. We naturally tend to believe that negative events are more likely to happen to other people than to ourselves. While this outlook helps us get out of bed in the morning, it also creates a dangerous blind spot when it comes to financial planning.

We meticulously plan our careers, our holidays, and our fitness regimes, but we often fail to plan for the possibility of being unable to work. The thought of a serious illness or a debilitating injury is uncomfortable, so we push it aside, assuming "it'll never happen to me."

This gap between our ambitions and our preparedness is a significant vulnerability. Consider your financial world: your mortgage or rent, your utility bills, food, transport, and all the small things that constitute your standard of living. Now, imagine your income suddenly stops. For how long could you maintain that lifestyle?

According to a 2024 report from the Financial Conduct Authority, millions of UK adults have less than £1,000 in savings, leaving them acutely vulnerable to financial shocks. The reality is that for most, savings would last a matter of weeks, not the months or years that a serious illness can demand. Relying on hope is not a strategy. Building a secure foundation is.

The Modern Landscape of Risk: A 2025 Statistical Reality Check

To build an effective shield, we must first understand what we are shielding ourselves from. The risks to our health and income are not distant, abstract concepts; they are statistical certainties affecting millions in the UK every year.

Here are the unvarnished facts:

  • Cancer: The most profound statistic comes from Cancer Research UK, which projects that 1 in 2 people in the UK born after 1960 will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. This single fact underscores the widespread nature of critical illness.
  • Heart and Circulatory Diseases: The British Heart Foundation reports that around 7.6 million people in the UK live with heart and circulatory diseases. These conditions are a major cause of disability and death, with strokes alone affecting over 100,000 people each year.
  • Sickness Absence: The latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveals that millions of working days are lost to sickness each year. While minor illnesses are the most common reason for short-term absence, the primary causes for long-term absence are more severe.
  • Workplace Accidents: For those in manual professions, the risk is even more acute. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reports that tens of thousands of non-fatal injuries to employees are reported by employers each year, with the construction and manufacturing sectors among the highest risk.

Let's break down the leading causes of long-term work absence:

Cause of AbsenceKey Statistics & ImpactWho is Most Affected?
Musculoskeletal (MSK) IssuesAccount for a significant portion of all work-related ill health cases. Includes back pain, neck problems, and upper limb disorders.Tradespeople, nurses, warehouse staff, and even office workers with poor ergonomics.
Mental Health ConditionsHSE data consistently shows stress, depression, or anxiety as the number one cause of long-term sickness.Affects all professions, often exacerbated by high-pressure environments or financial worries.
CancerA cancer diagnosis and treatment can mean months or even years away from work, impacting both the patient and their family.Affects people of all ages, professions, and backgrounds.
Strokes & Heart AttacksSudden, life-altering events that often require extensive rehabilitation before a return to work is possible, if at all.Risk increases with age but can affect younger people, particularly with lifestyle factors.

This data paints a clear picture: the risk of being unable to work for an extended period due to illness or injury is real and significant. State support, while a crucial safety net, is often insufficient to cover a household's core expenses, making private protection a vital component of modern financial planning.

The Three Pillars of Protection: Your Shield Against Uncertainty

Just as a physical shield has layers of defence, a robust financial protection plan is built on several key pillars. The three primary forms of cover that work together to protect your health, income, and lifestyle are Income Protection, Critical Illness Cover, and Private Medical Insurance.

Think of them this way:

  • Income Protection (IP): Replaces your monthly income. It pays the bills.
  • Critical Illness Cover (CIC): Provides a one-off lump sum. It gives you options and eases financial burdens during a major health crisis.
  • Private Medical Insurance (PMI): Pays for your treatment. It gets you access to care quickly.

Let's explore each of these pillars in detail.

Pillar 1: Income Protection – The Lifeline for Your Lifestyle

Often described by financial experts as the most important protection policy you can own, Income Protection is the bedrock of any financial safety net.

What is it? Income Protection Insurance is a long-term policy designed to pay you a regular, tax-free monthly income if you are unable to work due to any illness or injury.

How does it work?

  • Benefit Amount: You can typically cover between 50% and 70% of your gross monthly income. This is designed to replace a significant portion of your take-home pay without disincentivising a return to work.
  • Deferment Period: This is the waiting period from when you stop working until the policy starts paying out. It can be anything from 1 day to 12 months. You align this with your employer's sick pay scheme or your savings. A longer deferment period means a lower premium.
  • Payment Period: This is how long the policy will pay out for. It can be for a fixed term (e.g., 2 or 5 years per claim) or, more comprehensively, right up until your chosen retirement age.
  • Definition of Incapacity: This is crucial. The best policies use an "own occupation" definition. This means the policy will pay out if you are unable to perform your specific job. Other, less robust definitions like "suited occupation" or "any occupation" may not pay out if the insurer believes you could do another type of work.

Why is it so vital? Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) in the UK is just over £116 per week (2024/25 rate) and is only paid by your employer for 28 weeks. After that, you would need to apply for state benefits like Universal Credit or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), which are unlikely to be enough to cover your mortgage, rent, and household bills.

A Tale of Two Scenarios

  • Without Income Protection: Alex, a 40-year-old project manager earning £50,000 a year, is diagnosed with a serious back condition requiring surgery and a 9-month recovery. His company sick pay covers him for 3 months at full pay. For the remaining 6 months, he has to rely on his savings, which quickly diminish. The financial stress impedes his recovery, and he feels pressured to return to work before he is fully ready.

  • With Income Protection: In the same situation, Alex has an IP policy with a 3-month deferment period. After his company sick pay ends, his policy starts paying him £2,500 a month tax-free. This covers his mortgage and bills, allowing him to focus entirely on his rehabilitation without financial anxiety. He can afford private physiotherapy to speed up his recovery and returns to work feeling healthy and secure.

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Pillar 2: Critical Illness Cover – A Financial Salve for a Health Crisis

While Income Protection replaces your ongoing income, Critical Illness Cover is designed to deal with the immediate and significant financial impact of a life-changing diagnosis.

What is it? Critical Illness Cover (CIC) pays out a tax-free lump sum if you are diagnosed with one of a list of predefined serious medical conditions. Policies can be taken out on their own or combined with a life insurance policy.

What does it cover? The number of conditions covered varies by insurer but all policies cover the "big three":

  • Cancer (of a specified severity)
  • Heart Attack
  • Stroke

Comprehensive policies today cover a wide range of other conditions, including multiple sclerosis, major organ transplant, kidney failure, and permanent loss of sight or hearing. Many policies also include partial payments for less severe conditions, providing a financial cushion even if the illness isn't life-threatening.

How can the lump sum be used? The beauty of CIC is its flexibility. The money is yours to use as you see fit to reduce financial pressure at a time of immense emotional stress. Common uses include:

  • Clearing or reducing a mortgage.
  • Covering lost income for you or a partner who takes time off to care for you.
  • Paying for specialist medical treatment or drugs not available on the NHS.
  • Making adaptations to your home (e.g., installing a ramp or stairlift).
  • Simply providing a buffer to allow you to recover without financial worry.

Real-World Impact: The Electrician's Story Consider Mark, a 42-year-old self-employed electrician and father of two. He suffers a major heart attack and needs a triple bypass. He is unable to work for at least six months, and due to the physical nature of his job, his future earning capacity is uncertain.

Thankfully, Mark had a £150,000 Critical Illness policy. The payout allowed his family to:

  • Clear their remaining £80,000 mortgage, drastically reducing their monthly outgoings.
  • Cover his wife's lost income for three months as she supported his initial recovery.
  • Invest the remainder to provide an income while Mark retrained for a less physically demanding role in electrical design.

Without the cover, the family would have faced immense financial hardship, potentially losing their home on top of dealing with a major health crisis.

Pillar 3: Private Medical Insurance – Swift Access When Time is Critical

The third pillar, Private Medical Insurance (PMI), addresses a different but equally important aspect of health security: the speed and quality of your care.

The NHS is a national treasure, but it is under undeniable strain. As of early 2025, NHS England waiting lists for consultant-led elective care stand at several million, with many patients waiting over a year for routine procedures.

What is it? PMI is a type of insurance policy that covers the cost of private medical treatment for acute conditions. 'Acute' means a condition that is curable and likely to respond to treatment. It doesn't typically cover chronic, long-term conditions like diabetes or asthma.

What are the key benefits?

  • Bypassing Waiting Lists: This is the primary driver for most people. Instead of waiting months for a diagnosis or surgery on the NHS, you can often be seen by a specialist and treated within weeks.
  • Choice: PMI gives you more control over your care, including the choice of hospital and specialist consultant.
  • Comfort and Privacy: You typically get a private room, more flexible visiting hours, and other amenities that can make a stressful experience more comfortable.
  • Access to Specialist Drugs and Treatments: Some policies provide access to new or experimental drugs and treatments that may not yet be available on the NHS due to cost.

The Link to Personal and Professional Growth For a driven professional, a freelancer, or a business owner, time is money. Being sidelined by a painful but non-urgent condition like a hernia or a knee problem needing an arthroscopy can mean months of lost productivity and income. PMI turns months of waiting into weeks of action, allowing you to get treated, recover, and get back to building your career and living your life.

Specialised Protection for the UK's Workforce

While the three pillars form the core of personal protection, the specific needs of individuals can vary dramatically based on their profession.

For the Self-Employed and Freelancers

If you are your own boss, you are also your own HR department and your own safety net. You have no employer sick pay to fall back on. For you, Income Protection is not optional; it is essential business equipment. It is the one policy that ensures your personal and business expenses can be paid if you're unable to generate revenue. Thinking about your financial health is as critical as delivering for your clients.

For Tradespeople, Nurses, and Electricians

Those in physically demanding or high-risk jobs face a double threat: a higher likelihood of injury and a direct link between their physical health and their ability to earn.

  • Personal Sick Pay: These are often shorter-term Income Protection policies, sometimes called Accident, Sickness & Unemployment cover. They might offer a 1 or 2-year payment period, making them more affordable but still providing a crucial cushion.
  • Importance of 'Own Occupation': For a nurse with a back injury or an electrician with a hand injury, being able to do "any" job is irrelevant. They need a policy that pays out if they can't do their job. This is where expert advice is critical.

For Company Directors and Business Owners

If you run a limited company, you have access to highly tax-efficient ways of arranging protection that also safeguard your business.

  • Executive Income Protection: This is an Income Protection policy owned and paid for by your company. The premiums are typically an allowable business expense, and it isn't treated as a P11D benefit-in-kind. This is a powerful way to protect your personal income using company funds.
  • Relevant Life Insurance: A death-in-service policy for directors and employees, paid for by the business. It provides a lump sum to your family but, crucially, the premiums are a business expense and it doesn't form part of your lifetime pension allowance.

Beyond the Individual: Protecting Your Business and Legacy

True security extends beyond your personal finances. For business owners and those with significant assets, a wider view is needed.

Key Person Insurance

What would happen to your business if your top salesperson, technical genius, or you yourself were unable to work for a year? Key Person Insurance is a policy taken out by the business on the life or health of a crucial individual. If that person dies or suffers a critical illness, the policy pays a lump sum to the business. This cash injection can be used to:

  • Recruit a replacement.
  • Cover lost profits during the disruption.
  • Reassure lenders and suppliers.
  • Repay a business loan.

Family and Inheritance Protection

  • Family Income Benefit: A thoughtful alternative to standard lump-sum life insurance. Instead of one large payout, this policy pays your family a regular, tax-free monthly or annual income from the time of your death until the end of the policy term. This can be easier to manage and replaces your lost income in a more direct way.
  • Gift Inter Vivos Insurance: A specialist plan for Inheritance Tax (IHT) planning. If you gift a large sum of money or an asset, it only becomes fully exempt from IHT if you survive for seven years. A Gift Inter Vivos policy is a life insurance plan that pays out a lump sum if you die within those seven years, giving your beneficiaries the funds to pay the resulting tax bill.

The Psychology of Security: How Protection Fuels Personal Growth

This brings us back to our central theme. Financial protection is about more than just money; it's about your mental and emotional wellbeing. It's about creating the psychological space needed for genuine growth.

Think of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. The foundational layers are physiological needs (food, water, shelter) and safety needs (personal security, financial security). You cannot meaningfully pursue the higher levels—love and belonging, esteem, and self-actualisation (personal growth)—if you are perpetually worried about the foundations crumbling.

By putting a robust protection plan in place, you:

  • Reduce Chronic Anxiety: The low-level background hum of "what if?" is silenced.
  • Free Up Mental Bandwidth: You can focus your energy on your career, your passions, and your relationships, rather than on financial contingency planning.
  • Make Bolder Decisions: Knowing your downside is protected allows you to take calculated risks, whether that's starting a new business, changing careers, or investing in yourself.
  • Strengthen Relationships: Financial strain is a leading cause of conflict in relationships. Removing that potential stress point protects your family as well as your finances.

In essence, your unseen shield of protection gives you the confidence to live a bigger, bolder life.

Wellness and Prevention: A Proactive Approach to a Flourishing Life

Modern insurance is no longer just about waiting for something to go wrong. The best insurers are now proactive partners in your health, offering a suite of wellness benefits designed to help you stay healthy.

These can include:

  • 24/7 access to a virtual GP.
  • Mental health support and counselling sessions.
  • Discounts on gym memberships and fitness trackers.
  • Nutritional advice and health screening services.

This shift aligns perfectly with the goal of personal growth. It's about building a holistic system that not only catches you when you fall but helps you avoid falling in the first place.

At WeCovr, we champion this holistic approach. We believe that supporting your daily health choices is as important as providing a financial safety net. This is why, in addition to finding you the most suitable protection policy, we provide our clients with complimentary access to CalorieHero, our proprietary AI-powered calorie and nutrition tracking app. It's our way of going the extra mile, helping you build healthy habits that form the very first line of defence.

The UK protection market is vast and complex, with dozens of providers offering hundreds of different policy variations. Choosing the right cover is not a simple case of finding the cheapest premium. The details in the small print—the definitions, the exclusions, and the built-in benefits—make all the difference at the point of claim.

This is where independent, expert advice is invaluable. A specialist adviser will:

  1. Understand Your World: Take the time to learn about your job, your family, your finances, and your goals.
  2. Quantify Your Needs: Help you calculate exactly how much cover you need and for how long.
  3. Search the Entire Market: Compare policies from all the UK's leading insurers to find the best fit.
  4. Explain the Jargon: Demystify the terms and conditions so you know exactly what you're buying.
  5. Manage the Application: Guide you through the application and underwriting process, ensuring full and proper disclosure to the insurer.

Navigating this landscape can be complex, which is where an expert broker like us at WeCovr comes in. We compare plans from all the UK's leading insurers to find cover that's tailored precisely to your life, your work, and your ambitions, ensuring you don't pay a penny more than you need to.

Conclusion: Build Your Unseen Shield for a Life Without Limits

Your capacity for personal growth—to learn, to achieve, to love, and to build a legacy—is your most precious asset. It deserves to be protected.

Thinking about illness and injury is uncomfortable, but ignoring the possibility is irresponsible. Strategic financial protection is not an admission of fear; it is an act of profound self-confidence and a gift to your future self and your family.

An Income Protection policy that keeps your household running, a Critical Illness plan that removes financial toxicity from a health crisis, and Private Medical Insurance that gets you back on your feet quickly are not mere expenses. They are investments in your potential.

Together, they form an unseen shield, a silent guardian that stands between you and the unexpected, empowering you to stop worrying about what could go wrong and start focusing on making everything go right. Build your shield, and thrive securely.


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

They serve two different purposes and are best used together. Income Protection pays you a regular monthly income if you can't work due to *any* illness or injury. It's designed to replace your salary and pay the bills. Critical Illness Cover pays a one-off, tax-free lump sum if you are diagnosed with a specific serious condition listed on the policy. It's designed to provide a capital sum to reduce major financial burdens, like clearing a mortgage or adapting your home.

Is protection insurance expensive?

The cost (premium) depends on several factors: your age, your health, your occupation, whether you smoke, the type of cover, the amount of cover, and the policy term. For a young, healthy non-smoker in a low-risk job, comprehensive cover can be surprisingly affordable, often costing less than a daily cup of coffee. The key is to get advice to tailor a plan to your budget. A good adviser can adjust deferment periods or term lengths to make cover affordable.

Do I need cover if I'm young and healthy?

This is actually the best time to get it. Premiums are at their lowest when you are young and healthy because the risk to the insurer is lower. By taking out a policy early, you lock in that lower premium for the life of the policy. Furthermore, accidents and illnesses like cancer can sadly affect people at any age. Getting cover when you're healthy ensures you are insurable before any potential future health issues arise.

What if I have a pre-existing medical condition?

You can still often get cover, but it depends on the condition, its severity, and when you last had symptoms or treatment. It is vital that you disclose all pre-existing conditions fully on your application. The insurer might offer cover on standard terms, charge a higher premium, or place an "exclusion" on the policy, meaning they won't pay out for claims related to that specific condition. An expert broker can help navigate this and find the insurer most likely to offer favourable terms for your situation.

Can I get cover if I'm self-employed?

Absolutely. In fact, cover is arguably more important for the self-employed as you have no employer sick pay to rely on. For Income Protection, insurers will typically look at your pre-tax profits over the last 1-3 years to determine the level of income you can insure. For company directors, tax-efficient options like Executive Income Protection are also available.

How much cover do I need?

This is a personal calculation based on your circumstances. For Income Protection, a good starting point is to list all your essential monthly outgoings (mortgage/rent, bills, food, etc.). For Life and Critical Illness Cover, a common approach is to calculate the amount needed to clear your mortgage and other large debts, plus provide a lump sum for your family to live on for a number of years. A financial adviser is best placed to help you perform a detailed needs analysis.

Do insurers actually pay out?

Yes. This is a common misconception, but the official industry data shows a very high payout rate. According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), in 2023, protection insurers paid out over 98% of all claims. The small number of declined claims are almost always due to either "non-disclosure" (the customer not providing accurate health and lifestyle information at the application stage) or the definition of the claim not being met. This is why honesty during the application and understanding the policy terms are so important.

Related guides

Why life insurance and how does it work?

What is Life Insurance?

Life insurance is an insurance policy that can provide financial support for your loved ones when you or your joint policy holder passes away. It can help clear any outstanding debts, such as a mortgage, and cover your family's living and other expenses such costs of education, so your family can continue to pay bills and living expenses. In addition to life insurance, insurance providers offer related products such as income protection and critical illness, which we will touch upon below.

How does it work?

Life insurance pays out if you die. The payout can be in the form of a lump sum payment or can be paid as a replacement for a regular income. It's your decision how much cover you'd like to take based on your financial resources and how much you'd like to leave to your family to help them deal with any outstanding debts and living expenses. Your premium depends on a number of factors, including your occupation, health and other criteria.

The payout amount can change over time or can be fixed. A level term or whole of life policy offers a fixed payout. A decreasing term policy offers a payout that decreases over the term of the cover.

With critical illness policies, a payout is made if you’re diagnosed with a terminal illness with a remaining life expectancy of less than 12 months. While income protection policies ensure you can continue to meet your financial commitments if you are forced to take an extended break from work. If you can’t work because you’ve had an accident, fallen sick, or lost your job through no fault of your own, income protection insurance pays you an agreed portion of your salary each month.

Income protection is particularly helpful for people in dangerous occupations who want to be sure their mortgage will always be covered. Income protection only covers events beyond your control: you’re much less likely to be covered if you’re fired from your job or if you injure yourself deliberately.

Questions to ask yourself regarding life insurance

Just ask yourself:
👉 Who would pay your mortgage or rent if you were to pass away or fall seriously ill?
👉 Who would pay for your family’s food, clothing, study fees or lifestyle?
👉 Who would provide for the costs of your funeral or clear your debts?
👉 Who would pay for your costs if you're unable to work due to serious illness or disability?

Many families don’t realise that life, income protection and critical illness insurance is one of the most effective ways to protect their finances. A great insurance policy can cover costs, protect a family from inheriting debts and even pay off a mortgage.

Many would think that the costs for all the benefits provided by life insurance, income protection insurance or critical illness insurance are too high, but the great news is in the current market policies are actually very inexpensive.

Benefits offered by income protection, life and critical illness insurance

Life insurance, income protection and critical illness insurance are indispensable for every family because a child loses a parent every 22 minutes in the UK, while every single day tragically 60 people suffer major injuries on the UK roads. Some people become unable to work because of sickness or disability.

Life insurance cover pays out a lump sum to your family, loved ones or whomever you choose to get the money. This can be used to secure the financial future of your loved ones meaning they would not have to struggle financially in the event of your death.

If it's a critical illness cover, the payout happens sooner - upon diagnosis of a serious illness, disability or medical condition, easing the financial hardship such an event inevitably brings.

Income protection insurance can be very important for anyone who relies on a pay check to cover their living costs, but it's especially important if you’re self-employed or own a small business, where your employment and income is a bit less stable. It pays a regular income if you can't work because of sickness or disability and continues until you return to paid work or you retire.

In a world where 1 in 4 of us would struggle financially after just four weeks without work, the stark reality hits hard – a mere 7% of UK adults possess the vital shield of income protection. The urgency of safeguarding our financial well-being has never been more palpable.

Let's face it – relying on savings isn't a solution for everyone. Almost 25% of people have no savings at all, and a whopping 50% have £1,000 or less tucked away. Even more concerning, 51% of Brits – that's a huge 27 million people – wouldn't last more than one month living off their savings. That's a 10% increase from 2022.

And don't even think about state benefits being a safety net. The maximum you can expect from statutory sick pay is a mere £109.40 per week for up to 28 weeks. Not exactly a financial lifeline, right?

Now, let's tackle a common objection: "But I have critical illness insurance. I don't need income protection too." Here's the deal – the two policies apply to very different situations. In a nutshell:

  • Critical illness insurance pays a single lump sum if you're diagnosed with or undergo surgery for a specified potentially life-threatening illness. It's great for handling big one-off expenses or debts.
  • Income protection, on the other hand, pays a percentage of your salary as a regular payment if you can't work due to illness or injury. It's the superhero that tackles those relentless monthly bills.

Types of life insurance policies

Common reasons for getting a life insurance policy are to:
✅ Leave behind an amount of money to keep your family comfortable
✅ Protect the family home and pay off the mortgage in full or in part
✅ Pay for funeral costs

Starting from as little as a couple of pounds per week, you can do all that with a Life Policy.

Level Term Life Insurance
One of the simplest forms of life insurance, level term life insurance works by selecting a length of time for which you would want to be covered and then deciding how much you would like your loved ones to receive should the worst happen. Should your life insurance policy pay out to your family, it would be in a lump sum amount that can be used in whatever way the beneficiary may wish.

Decreasing Term Life Insurance
Decreasing term life insurance works in the same way as level term, except the lump sum payment amount upon death decreases with time. The common use for decreasing term life cover is to protect against mortgage repayment as the lump sum decreases along with the principal of the mortgage itself.

Increasing Term Life Insurance
Increasing term life insurance aims to pay out a cash sum growing each year if the worst happens while covered by the policy. With increasing term life cover amount insured increases annually by a fixed amount for the length of the policy. This can protect your policy's value against inflation, which could be advantageous if you’re looking to maintain your loved ones’ living standards, continue paying off your mortgage in line with its repayment schedule and cover your children’s education fees.

Whole of Life Insurance
Whereas term life insurance policies only pay out if you pass away during their term, whole of life insurance pays out to your beneficiaries whenever this should happen. The most common uses for whole life insurance are to cover the costs of a funeral or as a vehicle for your family's inheritance tax planning.

Family Income Benefit
Family income benefit is a somewhat lesser-known product in the family of life insurance products. Paying out a set amount every month of year to your beneficiaries, it is the most cost-effective way of maintaining your family's living standards to an age where you'd expect them to be able to support themselves financially. The most common use would be for a family with children who are not working yet so are unable to take care of themselves financially.

Relevant Life Insurance
Relevant Life Insurance is a tax-efficient policy for a director or single employee. A simple level term life insurance product, it is placed in a specific trust to ensure its tax efficiency. The premiums are tax deductible and any benefit payable should a claim arise is also paid out tax free, which makes it an attractive product for entrepreneurs and their businesses.

Important Fact!

There is no need to wait until the renewal of your current policy.
We can look at a more suitable option mid-term!

Why is it important to get life insurance early?

👉 Many people are very thankful that they had their life, income protection, and critical illness insurance cover in place before running into some serious issues. Critical illness and income protection insurance is as important as life insurance for protecting your family's finances.

👉 We insure our cars, houses, bicycles and even bags! Yet our life and health are the most precious things we have.

Easily one of the most important insurance purchases an individual or family can make in their lifetime, the decision to buy life, income protection, critical illness and private medical health insurance can be made much simpler with the help of FCA-authorised advisers. They are the specialists who do the searching and analysis helping people choose between various types of life insurance policies available in the market, including income protection, critical illness and other types of policies most suitable to the client's individual circumstances.

It certainly won't do any harm if you speak with one of our experienced FCA-authorised insurance partner experts who are passionate about advising people on financial matters related to life insurance and are keen to provide you with a free consultation.

You can discuss with them in detail what affordable life, income protection, critical illness or private medical health insurance plan for the necessary peace of mind they would recommend! WeCovr works with some of the best advisers in the market.

By tapping the button below, you can book a free call with them in less than 30 seconds right now:

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Any questions?

Life, income protection, and/or critical illness insurance are safety nets, very important at a difficult time. If anything happened to you before your cover ends, your life or critical illness insurance would pay a lump sum to your family and/or you (if you took a critical illness or income protection cover) to help cover the losses. Being diagnosed with a critical illness can be devastating, and it won't help matters to be also worrying about how you would cope financially. With a life, income protection, or critical illness policy, you can choose how much cover you need, how you want the policy to pay out, and whether you want cover for both you and your partner. Income protection insurance pays you a regular income if you can't work because of sickness or disability and continues until you return to paid work or you retire. Also known as permanent health insurance, it is quite important for anyone who relies on a paycheck to cover their living costs, but it's particularly important if you're self-employed or own a small business, where your income might be a bit less stable.

Life, income protection, and critical illness insurance pay out millions to families every day. Your expert will explain to you that you need to be honest and open when applying for your insurance.

If you're single with no dependants then it may be that you don't need life assurance. However, if you were to become seriously ill and unable to work, you may benefit from a critical illness or income protection policy. They can help you keep up to date with your rent, bills, food, and other expenses.

It's free to use WeCovr to find life, income protection, and critical illness insurance - we never charge you for quotes. Critical illness, income protection, and life insurance is an investment that pays many times over for you and/or your loved ones.

Life, income protection, and critical illness insurance are important financial products that insurance companies take a lot of care and diligence, so speaking to real human beings ensures that they understand your requirements fully so that you can get the right cover.

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The cost of life insurance depends on several factors, including your age, occupation, health status, and the level of coverage you choose. Your life insurance policy is tailored to your needs, and the cost can vary based on the sum assured, policy term, and other factors.

Some life insurance policies offer an option to add critical illness cover as a rider or as a separate policy. This provides a lump sum payment if you are diagnosed with a critical illness covered by your policy, offering financial support during a difficult time.

Yes, life insurance is available to self-employed individuals to provide financial protection for their loved ones in the event of their death. It ensures that your family can maintain their standard of living and cover expenses such as mortgage payments, bills, and education costs.

If you outlive your life insurance policy and it expires without a claim, you will not receive any payout. Term life insurance policies are designed to provide coverage for a specific period, and once that period ends, the policy terminates without any residual value. However, you can typically renew or purchase a new policy if you still need coverage.

Critical illness insurance provides a lump sum payment if you're diagnosed with a serious illness covered by your policy, offering financial support during a difficult time. It can help cover medical expenses, mortgage payments, and other financial obligations while you focus on recovery.

Critical illness insurance covers a range of serious illnesses and medical conditions specified in your policy, such as cancer, heart attack, stroke, and organ failure. The lump sum payment can be used to cover medical treatment, ongoing care, and living expenses during your recovery.

The cost of critical illness insurance varies depending on factors such as your age, health status, lifestyle, and the level of coverage you choose. Our experts can provide personalised quotes to help you find affordable coverage.

Yes, you can have critical illness insurance alongside your health insurance coverage. Critical illness insurance provides additional financial protection specifically for serious illnesses, complementing your health insurance benefits.

Critical illness insurance policies typically have exclusions for pre-existing conditions and certain medical conditions not covered by the policy. It's essential to review the terms and conditions of your policy to understand what is and isn't covered.

Some critical illness insurance policies may provide coverage for recurring illnesses, while others may not. It's crucial to review the policy terms and understand the specific conditions under which you can make additional claims for recurring illnesses. Your insurer can provide more details on their coverage for recurring critical illnesses.

Yes, you can customise your life insurance policy to suit your individual needs and circumstances. Options may include choosing the sum assured, policy term, premium payment frequency, and additional riders for enhanced coverage.

If you miss a premium payment for your life insurance policy, your coverage may lapse, and your policy could be terminated. However, many insurers offer a grace period during which you can make the payment to keep your policy active. It's essential to contact your insurer to discuss your options if you're unable to make a payment.

Yes, you can typically change the beneficiary of your life insurance policy at any time by completing a beneficiary change form provided by your insurer. It's essential to keep your beneficiary designation up to date to ensure that the proceeds are distributed according to your wishes.

Term life insurance provides cover for a fixed period, such as 10, 20 or 30 years, and pays out a lump sum if you die during that time. It’s often chosen to protect a mortgage or to provide financial support while dependants still rely on your income. Whole-of-life insurance is designed to last for the rest of your life and guarantees a payout whenever you die, as long as premiums are maintained. It’s usually more expensive than term insurance and is sometimes used to help with inheritance tax planning or to leave a guaranteed legacy.

Some term life insurance policies offer the option to convert to a whole life insurance policy without the need for a medical exam or new underwriting. This conversion feature allows you to maintain coverage beyond the term of your policy and provides lifelong protection.

Some life insurance policies offer accelerated death benefits or living benefits that allow you to access a portion of the death benefit if you are diagnosed with a terminal illness. This feature provides financial assistance to help cover medical expenses and other costs during your final months.

While having savings can provide a financial cushion during tough times, income protection insurance offers additional security by replacing a portion of your income if you're unable to work due to illness or disability. It ensures that you can maintain your standard of living and cover essential expenses even if your savings are depleted.

Yes, self-employed individuals can claim income protection insurance if they're unable to work due to illness or disability. Income protection provides a regular income stream to replace lost earnings, helping self-employed individuals cover their living expenses and business costs during periods of incapacity.

The waiting period, also known as the elimination period, is the length of time you must wait after becoming unable to work due to illness or disability before you can start receiving benefits from your income protection insurance policy. Waiting periods typically range from 30 to 90 days, but longer waiting periods may result in lower premiums.

Income protection insurance is designed to provide financial support if you're unable to work due to illness or disability, not for redundancy. However, some policies may offer optional redundancy cover or unemployment cover as an additional benefit, providing a lump sum or monthly payments if you're made redundant.

The tax treatment of income protection insurance benefits depends on whether the premiums were paid with pre-tax or after-tax dollars. Benefits from policies funded with after-tax dollars are typically tax-free, while benefits from policies funded with pre-tax dollars may be subject to income tax. It's essential to consult with a tax advisor to understand the tax implications of your income protection insurance benefits.

Income protection insurance provides a regular income stream if you're unable to work due to illness or disability, while critical illness insurance provides a lump sum payment if you're diagnosed with a covered critical illness, such as cancer, heart attack, or stroke. Critical illness insurance offers financial support to cover medical expenses, living costs, or other obligations during your recovery.

Income protection insurance policies typically have a waiting period (also known as an elimination period) during which you do not receive benefits. If you become unable to work before this waiting period ends, you will not receive any income protection benefits until the waiting period has elapsed. It's important to have sufficient savings or other financial resources to cover your expenses during this initial period.

Many income protection insurance policies allow you to increase your coverage amount if your income rises, without the need for additional underwriting or medical examinations. This feature, sometimes called a 'guaranteed insurability option,' ensures that your coverage keeps pace with your increasing income and financial obligations.

The maximum age to purchase critical illness insurance varies depending on the insurer and the specific policy. While some insurers may offer critical illness insurance up to age 70 or beyond, others may have lower age limits. It's essential to check with insurers to determine their age eligibility criteria for purchasing critical illness insurance.

Whether you can get critical illness insurance if you have pre-existing conditions depends on the insurer's underwriting guidelines and the specific medical conditions. Some insurers may offer coverage with exclusions for pre-existing conditions, while others may decline coverage altogether. It's essential to disclose any pre-existing conditions when applying for critical illness insurance and discuss your options with insurers.

While health insurance provides coverage for medical expenses, critical illness insurance offers financial protection for broader expenses associated with a serious illness, such as lost income, household bills, and lifestyle changes. Critical illness insurance complements health insurance by providing additional financial support during a challenging time, ensuring that you can focus on recovery without worrying about financial burdens.

If you don't make a claim on your critical illness insurance during the policy term, you won't receive a benefit payout. However, having critical illness insurance provides peace of mind knowing that you're financially protected if you're diagnosed with a covered critical illness during the policy term. It's a form of financial preparation for unexpected events and offers valuable protection for you and your family.

If you outlive your critical illness insurance policy and don't make a claim for a covered critical illness during the policy term, the coverage will expire, and you won't receive a benefit payout. Critical illness insurance provides financial protection for a specific period, typically until a specified age or policy term, and offers peace of mind knowing that you're prepared for the unexpected.

Yes, many insurers offer optional riders or add-ons that you can add to your critical illness insurance policy for enhanced coverage. Common riders may include waiver of premium, which waives future premium payments if you become disabled, or return of premium, which refunds a portion of your premiums if you don't make a claim during the policy term. It's essential to review available riders with insurers to customise your coverage to meet your specific needs.

To make a claim on your critical illness insurance policy, you'll need to notify your insurer of your diagnosis and submit a claim form along with any required medical documentation, such as medical reports, test results, and physician statements. Once your claim is reviewed and approved by the insurer, you'll receive the lump sum benefit payment, which you can use to cover medical expenses, living costs, or other financial needs during your recovery.

As we age, the likelihood of encountering health complications increases for us all. In the event that you develop a severe medical condition, critical illness protection can assist with the expenses of crucial bills – enabling you to concentrate on recuperation or adjusting to your new health circumstance.

The typical expense of a Critical Illness protection policy will fluctuate based on aspects such as your age and medical background. As per our investigation, you can secure a policy starting from as low as £8 (for a non-smoking 21-year-old individual).

The most prevalent critical illnesses in the UK are cancer, cardiac arrest, and cerebrovascular accident (stroke).

Cancer is one of the primary causes for critical illness insurance claims in the UK. Cancer constitutes over 80% of critical illness cover claims for females and about 45% of critical illness claims for males.



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