WeCovr

How to Get Critical Illness Cover with a History of Melanoma

Worried about getting critical illness cover in the UK after melanoma? At WeCovr, our expert advisers help you navigate exclusions and compare specialist policies from leading insurers.

WeCovr Editorial Team · experienced insurance advisers
Last updated Mar 17, 2026

Editorial standards

We research and update guides regularly, keep commercial relationships separate from editorial rankings, and publish content for information only rather than personal advice.

Rated Excellent on Google & Trustpilot
900,000+ policies arranged
Expert guidance
How to Get Critical Illness Cover with a History of Melanoma

TL;DR

Worried about getting critical illness cover in the UK after melanoma? At WeCovr, our expert advisers help you navigate exclusions and compare specialist policies from leading insurers.

Key takeaways

  • A melanoma history often leads to a skin cancer exclusion on a critical illness policy, but cover for other conditions remains possible.
  • Insurers assess melanoma based on staging (Breslow thickness, Clark level), treatment, and time since remission.
  • Lower-stage melanomas (in-situ, Stage 1A) have a much higher chance of securing cover, sometimes with standard terms after a few years.
  • Disclosing your full medical history is non-negotiable; non-disclosure can void your policy at the point of claim.
  • Working with a specialist broker like WeCovr provides access to the whole market, increasing your chances of finding a suitable policy.

A melanoma diagnosis is a life-changing event. Beyond the immediate health concerns, it can create long-term uncertainty, particularly when it comes to your financial security. Many people assume that a history of cancer, including skin cancer, automatically disqualifies them from securing vital protection like Critical Illness Cover.

The reality, however, is more nuanced and often more hopeful.

While getting cover can be more complex, it is frequently possible to secure a comprehensive policy that protects you and your family from the financial impact of other major health events like a heart attack, stroke, or multiple sclerosis. The key lies in understanding how insurers view your specific diagnosis and working with specialists who know how to navigate the market.

This definitive guide explains everything you need to know about applying for critical illness cover, life insurance, and income protection after a melanoma diagnosis in the UK.

For most applicants with a history of melanoma, the most common outcome for a Critical Illness Cover application is securing a policy with a cancer exclusion.

It's crucial to understand what this means:

  • You ARE covered for a wide range of other serious conditions defined in your policy. This typically includes heart attacks, strokes, multiple sclerosis, major organ transplants, dementia, and dozens of other illnesses.
  • You are NOT covered for a cancer diagnosis of any kind. Sometimes this exclusion is limited specifically to skin cancer, but a total cancer exclusion is more common.

While this might seem like a significant compromise, the value of the remaining cover is immense. According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), while cancer is the most common reason for a critical illness claim, circulatory diseases (like heart attacks and strokes) and other conditions (like MS) account for a substantial proportion of payouts.

A policy with a cancer exclusion still provides a powerful financial safety net against the majority of other life-altering health shocks, protecting your mortgage, income, and family's lifestyle.

Understanding Melanoma's Impact on Insurance Underwriting

When you apply for protection insurance, an underwriter—a risk assessment specialist at the insurance company—will carefully evaluate your medical history to determine the level of risk you present. For a history of melanoma, they are not making a moral judgement; they are making a statistical calculation based on established medical data.

Their primary goal is to understand the likelihood of the melanoma recurring or a new cancer developing.

Here are the key factors they will assess:

The Crucial Role of Staging

The single most important factor is the stage of the melanoma at diagnosis. Insurers will request detailed information from your medical records, specifically focusing on:

Underwriting FactorWhat It MeansImpact on Application
TNM StagingThe globally recognised system (Tumour, Nodes, Metastasis). Stage 0 (in-situ) is best; Stage 4 is the most advanced.High: This is the primary determinant of the outcome.
Breslow ThicknessThe measurement in millimetres of how deep the tumour has penetrated the skin. Thinner is better.High: A thickness under 0.8mm is viewed far more favourably.
Clark LevelAn older system describing which layer of skin the melanoma has reached. (Level I to V).Medium: Now largely superseded by Breslow, but still sometimes referenced.
UlcerationWhether the surface of the melanoma was broken. The absence of ulceration is a positive sign.Medium: Non-ulcerated tumours have a better prognosis.
Lymph Node InvolvementWhether the cancer had spread to nearby lymph nodes (Stage 3).High: Any spread to lymph nodes makes securing cover significantly harder.
Time Since TreatmentThe number of years that have passed since you successfully completed all treatment and were declared in remission.High: The longer you have been clear, the lower the perceived risk.

Melanoma-in-situ (Stage 0): This is the earliest, non-invasive form where the cancer cells are confined to the top layer of the skin. Applicants with a history of melanoma-in-situ, especially if it was treated some years ago, have the best chance of securing cover, sometimes even at standard rates (no exclusions or premium increases).

Invasive Melanoma (Stage 1 onwards): For invasive melanoma, the details above become critical. A Stage 1A diagnosis (thin, non-ulcerated) treated five years ago will receive a much more favourable assessment than a Stage 2B diagnosis treated one year ago.

Critical Illness Cover After Melanoma: What to Expect

Based on the underwriting assessment, there are four potential outcomes for your application.

  1. Accepted with a Cancer Exclusion: This is the most frequent and often the best achievable outcome for those with a history of invasive melanoma. You get valuable cover for all other specified conditions.
  2. Postponement: The insurer may ask you to re-apply after a certain period has passed. This is common if your treatment was recent. For example, they might say, "We will reconsider your application 3 years after the end of your treatment." This allows more time to establish a clear period of remission.
  3. Premium Loading: Less common for critical illness cover with a melanoma history, but possible. A "loading" means your premium is increased by a set percentage (e.g., +150%) to reflect the higher risk. This may be offered alongside an exclusion.
  4. Decline: In cases of recent, advanced-stage melanoma (e.g., Stage 3 or 4) or metastatic disease, it is likely the application will be declined. Even in these situations, it's worth speaking to a specialist broker, as some avenues for other types of cover may remain open.

Real-Life Scenario: The Value of Excluded Cover

Meet David, a 48-year-old architect and father of two. Ten years ago, he was diagnosed with Stage 1A melanoma, which was successfully removed with a wide local excision. He has had clear check-ups ever since.

David wanted to secure a £150,000 critical illness policy to clear his mortgage and provide a buffer if he fell seriously ill. He was worried his history would make it impossible.

Working with a WeCovr adviser, he applied to an insurer known for its fair approach to skin cancer. The insurer offered him the full £150,000 policy with a total cancer exclusion. The premium was affordable.

Three years later, David suffered a severe heart attack requiring bypass surgery. Because "heart attack" was a specified condition on his policy, the insurer paid out the full £150,000 tax-free. The payout cleared his mortgage and gave his family complete financial peace of mind while he focused on his recovery. The cancer exclusion was irrelevant to his claim.

This scenario highlights why accepting a policy with an exclusion is often a very wise financial decision.

Get Tailored Quote

Is Life Insurance Easier to Get Than Critical Illness Cover?

Yes, in general, it is easier to get Life Insurance after melanoma than Critical Illness Cover.

The risk assessment is different.

  • Life Insurance pays out on death. Underwriters assess your mortality risk—the statistical likelihood of your lifespan being shortened.
  • Critical Illness Cover pays out on diagnosis of a serious illness. Underwriters assess your morbidity risk—the statistical likelihood of you becoming seriously ill during the policy term.

For many conditions, including early-stage melanoma, the risk of it shortening your natural lifespan is lower than the risk of it (or another cancer) occurring while you're alive.

Potential outcomes for a life insurance application after melanoma include:

  • Standard Rates: For very low-risk cases (e.g., melanoma-in-situ treated many years ago), you may be offered cover at the standard price with no changes.
  • Premium Loading: This is a more common outcome than for CI cover. The insurer might increase your premium for an initial period (e.g., for the first 5-10 years) or for the whole term. This reflects the slightly increased mortality risk.
  • Postponement or Decline: Only likely for very recent or advanced-stage cancers.

Family Income Benefit: A Smart Alternative

If a lump-sum life insurance policy proves too expensive, consider Family Income Benefit (FIB). Instead of paying a single lump sum on death, FIB pays out a regular, tax-free monthly or annual income to your family for the remainder of the policy term.

This is an exceptionally cost-effective way to replace your lost income and ensure ongoing bills are met. Underwriting is identical to standard life insurance, making it an accessible option for many.

What About Income Protection?

Income Protection (IP) is arguably the most fundamental protection policy for any working adult. It pays a regular, tax-free replacement income (typically 50-60% of your gross earnings) if you are unable to work due to any illness or injury.

How does a melanoma history affect an IP application?

The underwriting process is similarly rigorous to critical illness cover. An underwriter will want to see your full medical history, staging reports, and treatment details.

The most probable outcome is an offer of cover with an exclusion for any claim related to cancer.

This means if you are signed off work with back pain, a mental health condition like stress or depression, a broken leg, or a heart condition, your policy would pay out your monthly benefit after your chosen deferred period. However, if you were unable to work because your melanoma recurred, that claim would be excluded.

Given that musculoskeletal issues and mental health are two of the leading causes of long-term work absence in the UK, an income protection policy with a cancer exclusion still provides an incredibly robust safety net.

Key IP Terms to Understand:

  • Deferred Period: The waiting period between when you stop working and when the policy starts paying out. Options typically range from 4 to 52 weeks. A longer deferred period results in a lower premium.
  • Personal Sick Pay: These are a type of short-term income protection plan, often with a maximum claim period of 1, 2, or 5 years. They can be easier to secure and more affordable than full long-term IP.

The Specialist Broker Advantage: Why You Shouldn't Go It Alone

After a melanoma diagnosis, using a standard comparison website and applying directly to an insurer is one of the riskiest things you can do.

Here’s why:

  1. Every Insurer is Different: Each insurance company has its own underwriting manual and a different appetite for risk. An applicant who is declined by Insurer A might be accepted (with an exclusion) by Insurer B. You won't know which is which.
  2. A Decline Creates a Record: When you apply for insurance, you are typically asked, "Have you ever had an application for insurance declined, postponed, or offered on special terms?" A "yes" answer can prejudice future applications. Applying to the wrong insurer first can create a negative history.

This is where working with an independent, FCA-regulated protection broker like WeCovr provides a decisive advantage.

  • Market Knowledge: We work with all the major UK insurers day in, day out. We know which providers have more lenient or specialist underwriting for applicants with a history of melanoma.
  • Pre-Application Enquiries: We can approach underwriters on an anonymous basis with your medical details (stage, treatment, dates). This allows us to gauge the likely outcome before you submit a formal application, protecting you from an unnecessary decline on your record.
  • Expert Positioning: We ensure your application is presented accurately and in the most favourable light, supported by the correct medical evidence. We handle the complex forms and chase the GP reports.
  • No Extra Cost: Our service is paid for by the insurer on completion, so you receive expert advice and market access at no additional cost to you.

As part of our commitment to our clients' long-term wellbeing, we also provide complimentary access to CalorieHero, our AI-powered nutrition and calorie tracking app, to help you maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Protection Solutions for Business Owners and Directors

If you run your own business, a personal health crisis can quickly become a business crisis. A history of melanoma affects the underwriting for business protection in the same way it does for personal policies.

Key Person Insurance

This is a policy taken out and paid for by the business on a crucial member of staff (like a founder, top salesperson, or technical expert). If that person dies or is diagnosed with a qualifying critical illness, the policy pays a lump sum to the business. This cash injection helps the company manage the disruption, recruit a replacement, or repay loans.

If the key person has a history of melanoma, any critical illness component of the policy will almost certainly come with a cancer exclusion.

Shareholder Protection

For businesses with multiple owners, this is essential. It consists of life and/or critical illness policies linked to a legal agreement (a cross-option agreement). If one shareholder dies or becomes critically ill, the policy payout provides the funds for the remaining shareholders to buy the affected individual's shares at a pre-agreed valuation.

This ensures a smooth transition, keeps ownership within the desired group, and provides fair value to the departing shareholder or their family. Again, the individual's medical history, including melanoma, will be underwritten and likely result in a CI exclusion.

Executive Income Protection

This is an Income Protection policy owned and paid for by a limited company for an employee or director. From the individual's perspective, it works just like a personal policy, providing a replacement income on incapacity.

For the business, the premiums are typically classed as an allowable business expense, making it a tax-efficient way to offer a high-value benefit. The underwriting is on the individual, and a cancer exclusion is the standard outcome for someone with a history of melanoma.

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.

Whole of Life Insurance for Inheritance Tax (IHT) Planning

For some individuals, particularly those with significant assets, a Whole of Life policy can be a powerful tool for estate planning.

It's vital to understand how modern policies work, as they are very different from older, outdated products.

  • Modern Whole of Life (Pure Protection): These are the plans WeCovr focuses on. They are straightforward life insurance policies guaranteed to pay out a lump sum whenever you die. There is no cash-in or investment value. If you stop paying premiums, the cover ceases, and you get nothing back. Their simplicity and transparency make them an affordable and effective solution for covering a known Inheritance Tax liability or leaving a guaranteed legacy.

  • Older 'With-Profits' Policies: These were complex, expensive plans that bundled life cover with an investment element. Performance was opaque and often disappointing, and surrender values in the early years were frequently less than the premiums paid. These are rarely recommended in modern financial planning.

For a Whole of Life application, a history of melanoma will be assessed similarly to a term life insurance application. However, because the insurer is guaranteeing to pay out eventually, the underwriting can be stricter. A premium loading is a very common outcome.

Crucially, to be effective for IHT planning, the policy must be written into a suitable trust. This legal arrangement ensures the payout goes directly to your beneficiaries and does not fall into your own estate, thereby avoiding the very tax it was designed to cover.

Practical Steps to Applying for Cover

Feeling ready to explore your options? Follow this strategic process for the best chance of success.

  1. Gather Your Medical Information: Before you do anything else, get your facts straight. Find the letters from your consultant or contact your GP surgery. You need to know the exact date of diagnosis, the confirmed staging (Breslow thickness is key), and the dates and types of treatment you received.
  2. Do Not Use Comparison Sites to Apply: While useful for initial price discovery, do not click "apply" on a generic comparison site. This often leads to a blind application with an unsuitable insurer.
  3. Speak to a Specialist Broker: This is the most important step. Contact an independent protection adviser who has experience with pre-existing medical conditions. Explain your situation fully.
  4. Be Completely Honest and Thorough: When you proceed with an application, you are bound by the principle of 'utmost good faith'. You must disclose your full melanoma history and any other relevant medical details. Hiding information is classed as 'non-disclosure' and could lead to your policy being voided and any claim being rejected.
  5. Review the Offer Meticulously: Once an insurer provides their decision (the "offer of terms"), your adviser will review it with you. Pay close attention to the premium, the sum assured, and the precise wording of any exclusion or loading to ensure it meets your needs. You are not committed until you accept the terms and the policy goes live.

A melanoma diagnosis doesn't have to mean the end of your financial planning. By taking a strategic approach and seeking expert advice, you can often secure the valuable protection you and your family deserve, giving you peace of mind to focus on what truly matters.

Ready to find out what's possible for you? Our expert advisers are on hand to provide a free, no-obligation review of your circumstances.

Do I need to declare other, less serious skin cancers?

Yes, you must declare all types of skin cancer, including Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) and Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC). However, for a single, successfully treated BCC or SCC, the impact on your application is usually minimal. Many insurers will offer standard terms for life, critical illness, and income protection cover once treatment is complete.

What if my melanoma was diagnosed as 'in-situ'?

A diagnosis of 'melanoma-in-situ' (Stage 0) is the best-case scenario. As the cancer is non-invasive, the risk of recurrence is extremely low. After a short period following successful treatment, many applicants can secure life insurance and income protection at standard rates. For critical illness cover, you may be offered standard terms or, at worst, an exclusion specifically for skin cancer rather than all cancers.

Can I get any cover if my melanoma was Stage 3 or 4?

Securing cover after an advanced-stage melanoma diagnosis is very challenging, but not always impossible. For critical illness and income protection, insurers will almost certainly decline an application for a number of years post-treatment. For life insurance, after a significant period of clear remission (e.g., 5-10 years), some specialist insurers may consider an application, which would likely involve a significant premium loading. This is a situation where a specialist broker is essential.

Will my policy pay out for a different type of cancer if I have a cancer exclusion?

It depends on the specific wording of the exclusion. Some exclusions are for "skin cancer" only, meaning a new primary cancer elsewhere (e.g., breast or lung cancer) would be covered. However, the most common outcome is a "total cancer exclusion," meaning the policy will not pay out for the diagnosis of any cancer at all. It will, however, still cover all other non-cancer-related conditions listed in the policy.

Take the Next Step

A past health issue shouldn't dictate your family's future financial security. At WeCovr, we specialise in helping people with complex medical histories find the right protection. Our advisers provide confidential, expert guidance to help you secure the best possible terms from across the UK market.

Contact us today for a free, no-obligation chat about your protection needs.

Sources

  • Association of British Insurers (ABI)
  • NHS
  • Cancer Research UK
  • Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
  • gov.uk
  • Office for National Statistics (ONS)
Family protection check

Measure your family’s protection gap, then get the right life cover quote

Start with the score to see whether your family would face a real financial shortfall before moving on to life cover options.

Get My Free Protection ScoreGet Life Cover Quotes

Check what happens if someone dies too soon

See whether debt, dependants and mortgage risk are covered

Move into tailored life cover options after the score

📚 Recommended reads

Life Insurance Guide

Read

Best Life Insurance Providers

Read

Term Life Insurance Guide

Read

Get your score

Your next best move

Get your score in minutes, then decide what kind of protection help would be most useful.

1

Score your household protection

See how well your current setup protects dependants, debt and major commitments.

2

Find the shortfall

Know whether life cover, critical illness or income protection is the actual missing piece.

3

Continue to tailored life cover

If life cover is the gap, continue to tailored life cover options.

Get My Free Protection ScoreGet Life Cover Quotes

What you get

A quick view of your current protection position

A clearer idea of where the biggest gaps may be

A direct route to tailored help if you want it

See Plans

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 Alzheimers
Getting Critical Illness Cover with a Family History of Alzheimers
Read more →
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 →
1 in 3 Britons Face Major Health Crisis Why You Need Critical Illness Cover
1 in 3 Britons Face Major Health Crisis Why You Need Critical Illness Cover
Read more →
AIG Life vs Zurich Best Critical Illness Cover for Children
AIG Life vs Zurich Best Critical Illness Cover for Children
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!