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How to Get Income Protection if You Have a Pre-Existing Heart Condition

Getting UK income protection with a heart condition is challenging but achievable. With expert guidance from a specialist broker like WeCovr, you can navigate complex underwriting and secure valuable cover, often with an exclusion for your specific condition.

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

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How to Get Income Protection if You Have a Pre-Existing...

TL;DR

Getting UK income protection with a heart condition is challenging but achievable. With expert guidance from a specialist broker like WeCovr, you can navigate complex underwriting and secure valuable cover, often with an exclusion for your specific condition.

Key takeaways

  • Full, honest disclosure of your heart condition is a legal requirement. Hiding it will invalidate your policy.
  • Insurers assess the specific type, stability, and management of your condition, not just the general diagnosis.
  • A cardiovascular exclusion is a common outcome, providing affordable cover for all unrelated illnesses and injuries.
  • Specialist brokers can access insurers with more favourable underwriting rules for heart conditions, improving your chances of success.
  • Recent events, like a heart attack, may lead to a postponed decision, but cover can often be secured after a period of stability.

Living with a pre-existing heart condition brings its own set of daily considerations. But for many, an even greater source of anxiety is the financial uncertainty: what would happen to my income if I were unable to work? This concern is often magnified by the belief that securing income protection insurance is impossible.

The good news is that this belief is often mistaken. While obtaining income protection with a history of heart trouble is more complex, it is by no means a closed door. The key lies in understanding the underwriting process, presenting your case accurately, and working with a specialist who knows the market inside and out.

This comprehensive guide is designed to demystify the process. We will explore how UK insurers assess cardiovascular risk, the potential outcomes of an application, and the practical steps you can take to secure a policy that protects your financial future against a wide range of other illnesses and injuries.

Income protection is a financial safety net. Its purpose is to replace your earnings if you are sidelined by sickness or an accident. For someone with a known health condition, securing this protection against unrelated health events is a powerful and prudent financial planning step.

What is Income Protection and Why is it Essential?

Before diving into the complexities of underwriting, it’s vital to understand what income protection is and the crucial role it plays in a robust financial plan.

Income Protection is a policy that pays you a regular, tax-free monthly income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury.

Think of it as a replacement for your salary. It's designed to cover your essential outgoings—such as your mortgage, rent, bills, and food—while you focus on your recovery.

How Does Income Protection Work?

  1. You Choose Your Cover: You select the monthly benefit amount you'd need (typically up to 60-70% of your gross income), how long the policy should run for (the 'term', usually until your planned retirement age), and a 'deferred period'.
  2. You Pay a Monthly Premium: The cost is based on your age, health, occupation, smoker status, and the policy choices you make.
  3. The 'Deferred Period': This is a pre-agreed waiting period between when you stop working and when the policy starts paying out. Common options are 4, 8, 13, 26, or 52 weeks. The longer the deferred period, the lower the premium. You would typically align this with any sick pay you receive from your employer.
  4. Making a Claim: If you're signed off work by a doctor for a reason covered by the policy, and you remain unable to work beyond your deferred period, the monthly benefit payments begin.
  5. Payment Duration: Payments continue until you are well enough to return to work, you reach the end of the policy term, or you pass away, whichever happens first.

Who is Income Protection For?

Income protection is a suitable option for almost anyone whose lifestyle depends on their monthly earnings. This includes:

  • Employees: Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is just £116.75 per week (2024/25 rate) for up to 28 weeks. For most people, this is a fraction of what's needed to maintain their financial commitments.
  • Self-Employed & Freelancers: With no employer sick pay to fall back on, the financial shock of being unable to work is immediate and severe.
  • Company Directors: While you control your own salary and dividends, an extended illness can drain business resources and jeopardise both your personal and business finances.

Real-Life Scenario:

Mark is a 40-year-old architect. He takes out an income protection policy to pay a benefit of £3,000 per month with a 13-week deferred period. Two years later, he is diagnosed with a severe back problem requiring surgery and a long recovery. His employer's sick pay runs out after three months. At that point, his income protection policy kicks in, paying him £3,000 tax-free each month. This allows him to cover his mortgage and family expenses for the nine months he is off work, removing financial stress from his recovery.

The Underwriting Challenge: How Insurers View Heart Conditions

This is the heart of the matter. Underwriting is the risk assessment process every insurer undertakes before offering you a policy. When a pre-existing heart condition is declared, the underwriters' scrutiny intensifies.

Insurers view heart and circulatory diseases as a significant risk because they are a leading cause of long-term work absence and disability in the UK. Their job is to price the risk of you making a claim accurately.

An underwriter will never look at a disclosure of a "heart condition" and make a blanket decision. They will delve into the specifics, almost always by requesting a detailed medical report from your GP (a GPR).

Key Factors Underwriters Will Assess:

  • The Specific Diagnosis: What exactly is the condition? Angina, arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation, cardiomyopathy, congenital heart defect, or recovery from a myocardial infarction (heart attack) are all assessed very differently.
  • Dates: When were you diagnosed? When was your last symptom or event? A heart attack 10 years ago with no further issues is a much lower risk than one 10 months ago.
  • Treatment & Management: Are you on medication (e.g., statins, beta-blockers, blood thinners)? Have you had surgery (e.g., stents, bypass, pacemaker)? How regularly do you see a specialist?
  • Stability & Control: Is the condition considered stable and well-managed? Consistent medication use and regular check-ups demonstrating stability are positive factors.
  • Associated Conditions: Do you also have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes? These co-morbidities increase the perceived risk.
  • Test Results: Underwriters will pay close attention to the results of investigations like ECGs, echocardiograms (showing ejection fraction), stress tests, and angiograms.
  • Lifestyle Factors: Your age, BMI (Body Mass Index), and smoker status are always crucial, but even more so with a history of heart disease.

The golden rule is 100% full disclosure. Failing to mention your condition, or any related symptoms or treatments, is considered 'non-disclosure'. If this is discovered when you try to claim, the insurer is entitled to void your policy and refuse to pay, leaving you with no cover when you need it most.

Potential Underwriting Outcomes: From Standard Rates to Decline

Once the underwriter has reviewed your application and medical evidence, they will make a decision. It’s crucial to understand that "yes" or "no" are not the only answers. The outcome will typically be one of the following:

  1. Standard Rates (Accepted as Applied): This means you are offered the policy on standard terms with no modifications. For a significant heart condition, this is rare, but it may be possible for very minor issues from the distant past (e.g., a resolved childhood heart murmur).

  2. Premium Loading (A 'Rating'): The insurer offers you full cover, including for your heart condition, but at a higher monthly premium. The "loading" might be +50%, +75%, or +100% (or more) on top of the standard price. This reflects the increased statistical risk of a claim.

  3. Exclusion: The insurer offers you cover, often at standard or near-standard premiums, but adds an exclusion clause. This clause states that they will not pay out for any claim caused directly or indirectly by your specified heart condition or related circulatory issues.

  4. Postponement (or Deferral): The insurer decides not to offer terms right now, but invites you to re-apply in the future, typically in 6, 12, or 24 months. This is common following a recent major event like a heart attack or heart surgery, as they want to see a sustained period of stability and recovery.

  5. Decline: The insurer feels the risk is too high to offer any terms. This is most common for severe, unstable, or complex conditions. However, a decline from one insurer does not mean all will decline you.

This table gives a simplified overview of how different scenarios might be viewed, though individual outcomes will always vary.

Condition & ScenarioLikely Underwriting Outcome
Minor Arrhythmia (e.g., ectopic beats), fully investigated, no other symptoms.Standard rates or a small premium loading.
Stable Angina, well-managed with medication, no event in 2+ years.Premium loading or, more likely, a cardiovascular exclusion.
Post-Heart Attack (1 event), 3+ years ago, good recovery, non-smoker.Cardiovascular exclusion is a very likely outcome. A premium loading is also possible.
Post-Heart Attack, within the last 12 months.Postponement for 12-24 months is highly likely.
Atrial Fibrillation (AF), well-controlled on medication.Cardiovascular exclusion is the most common result.
Cardiomyopathy or Heart Failure.Often declined by standard insurers, but specialist advice is crucial as some may consider it.

The Power of an Exclusion: Why It's Often a Great Result

For many applicants with a pre-existing heart condition, the most realistic and valuable outcome is a policy with a cardiovascular exclusion.

At first, this might sound disappointing. Why buy a policy that won't cover your main health concern? This is a misunderstanding of the product's purpose.

You are insuring your income against the vast range of unknown future risks, not the one you are already aware of and managing.

An income protection policy with a heart exclusion will still cover you if you are unable to work due to:

  • Cancer
  • Mental health conditions (stress, anxiety, depression)
  • Musculoskeletal issues (back pain, joint problems, broken bones)
  • Neurological disorders (e.g., Multiple Sclerosis)
  • Any other accident or illness not related to your heart

According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), in 2023, cancer was the most common cause of an income protection claim, followed by musculoskeletal and mental health conditions. A policy with an exclusion still provides a huge, valuable safety net.

Scenario: The Value of an Exclusion

Anjali, a 50-year-old self-employed graphic designer, had a stent fitted five years ago after being diagnosed with coronary artery disease. She is now stable and on medication. She worries constantly that if she couldn't work, her family would struggle.

She applies for income protection through a specialist broker. The insurer offers her a policy at a standard monthly premium but with an exclusion for all cardiovascular conditions.

Eighteen months later, Anjali is diagnosed with breast cancer. The treatment is gruelling and she is unable to work for a full year. Because her claim is for cancer, it is completely unrelated to the exclusion. After her 13-week deferred period, her policy pays out, protecting her family's finances and allowing her to focus entirely on her recovery. The exclusion was the key that unlocked this vital protection.

Practical Steps to Apply for Income Protection with a Heart Condition

A strategic approach is essential. Simply entering your details into a price comparison website and choosing the cheapest quote is highly likely to lead to disappointment.

Get Tailored Quote

Here is a proven, step-by-step process for maximising your chances of success:

  1. Do Not Apply Directly or via Multiple Comparison Sites A formal application that results in a decline or a postponement is recorded. This can make subsequent applications with other insurers more difficult. It's far better to let a specialist do the research first.

  2. Gather Your Medical Information Before you speak to an adviser, get your facts straight. The more detail you can provide, the more accurately we can assess your situation.

    • Condition name: The exact medical term.
    • Dates: Diagnosis, last symptoms, surgeries, investigations.
    • Medication: Names and dosages.
    • Results: If you know them, your latest blood pressure, cholesterol levels, or echocardiogram results (e.g., ejection fraction).
    • Consultant: The name of your cardiologist.

  3. Engage a Specialist Protection Broker (like WeCovr) This is the single most important step. As an FCA-regulated specialist broker, we work for you, not the insurer. Our role is to:

    • Understand Your Needs: We conduct a full fact-find to understand your health, finances, and what you need the cover to do.
    • Market Knowledge: We know the underwriting stances of all the major UK insurers. We know which ones are more pragmatic about specific heart conditions.
    • Pre-Application Enquiries: Crucially, we can speak to senior underwriters on an anonymous basis before submitting a formal application. We can present the "case" and get an indicative decision, saving you from a formal decline on your record.
    • Application Support: We help you complete the application form accurately and honestly, ensuring your condition is presented in the clearest possible light.
    • No Extra Cost: Our service is paid for by the insurer on completion, so you get expert guidance without paying a fee.

  4. Be Patient with the Process Underwriting for a complex condition takes time. The insurer will almost certainly need to write to your GP for a medical report. This process alone can take 4-8 weeks, sometimes longer. A good adviser will keep you updated throughout.

  5. Consider Your Policy Options Strategically The structure of your policy can influence an underwriter's decision.

    • Deferred Period: Opting for a longer deferred period (e.g., 26 or 52 weeks) reduces the risk for the insurer and lowers your premium. If you have generous employer sick pay or savings, this is a sensible option.
    • Benefit Level: Be realistic about the amount of cover you need. Applying for a sensible amount to cover core expenses can be viewed more favourably than applying for the absolute maximum allowed.

Alternatives and Complementary Cover for All Circumstances

While income protection is a cornerstone of financial resilience, other types of cover are important to consider, especially for business owners or if income protection proves difficult to secure.

For Business Owners, Directors and the Self-Employed

Executive Income Protection

This is a powerful option for company directors.

  • What it is: An income protection policy owned and paid for by your limited company.
  • How it works: If you are unable to work, the benefit is paid to the company. The company can then use this money to continue paying you a salary through PAYE.
  • Key Advantage: The monthly premiums are typically treated as an allowable business expense, making it a highly tax-efficient way to arrange cover. The underwriting for your health is identical to a personal plan.

Key Person Insurance

This is different. It protects the business from the financial impact of losing a key individual to long-term illness or death. The payout goes to the company to cover lost profits, recruit a replacement, or clear debts.

Other Personal Protection Policies

Critical Illness Cover

  • What it is: Pays a tax-free lump sum on the diagnosis of a specific, defined serious illness (e.g., a heart attack, stroke, or cancer of a certain severity).
  • How it works: It's a list-based cover. You only get a payout if your condition meets the exact definition in the policy document.
  • With a Heart Condition: Getting critical illness cover after a heart event can be very challenging. A heart attack or stroke exclusion is almost certain. However, it can sometimes be secured to cover other risks like cancer.

Life Insurance

Securing life insurance is often significantly easier than getting income protection or critical illness cover after a heart diagnosis.

  • Term Life Insurance: This is usually available, often with a premium loading. It pays out a lump sum if you die within a set term, and is typically used to clear a mortgage and provide for a family.
  • Whole of Life Insurance: In modern UK protection planning, these are almost always pure protection policies with no investment element or cash-in value. They guarantee to pay out a lump sum whenever you die. They are primarily used to cover a future Inheritance Tax (IHT) liability or leave a guaranteed legacy. At WeCovr, we specialise in comparing these transparent, guaranteed plans. It is important to distinguish these from older, complex with-profits or investment-linked policies that built a surrender value but were often poor value.
  • Gift Inter Vivos Insurance: A specialist type of life insurance policy designed to cover the potential IHT bill on large gifts you make during your lifetime if you don't survive for seven years after making the gift.

As part of our commitment to our clients' long-term wellbeing, all WeCovr customers receive complimentary access to CalorieHero, our AI-powered nutrition and calorie tracking app, helping support the positive lifestyle changes that are key to managing health.

Case Study: Securing Cover for a Self-Employed Contractor

The Client: Robert, a 54-year-old self-employed project manager operating through his own limited company.

The History: Robert had a heart attack four years ago. He had two stents fitted and made an excellent recovery. He is a non-smoker, exercises regularly, and his condition is stable on daily medication.

The Problem: Robert’s income is the sole source of support for his family. He tried to get income protection via a comparison site but was immediately declined, leaving him feeling his situation was hopeless. He was concerned about what would happen if an unrelated illness, like cancer or a back injury, stopped him from working.

The WeCovr Solution:

  1. Detailed Consultation: We held an in-depth call with Robert to gather the full history of his heart attack, treatment, recovery, and current health status. We explained the benefits of an Executive Income Protection policy for tax efficiency.
  2. Anonymous Pre-Application: We took Robert's anonymised details to three separate insurers known for their expertise in cardiovascular risk.
    • Insurer A declined to offer terms.
    • Insurer B offered terms but with a very high premium loading (+200%).
    • Insurer C, a specialist provider, offered an Executive Income Protection policy with a full cardiovascular exclusion, but at a premium only slightly above the standard rate.
  3. Informed Application: We presented the options to Robert. He was delighted with the offer from Insurer C. An exclusion was a small price to pay for securing his income against the vast majority of other health risks.
  4. The Outcome: We helped Robert complete the formal application for the Executive Income Protection plan. After reviewing his GP report, Insurer C issued the policy on the terms indicated. Robert's company now pays the premiums, and he has peace of mind knowing his income is protected if he is unable to work due to cancer, an accident, or any other non-cardiac condition.

This case highlights why specialist advice is not just helpful, but essential. Without it, Robert would have given up after his first decline.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do I have to tell an insurer about my heart condition when applying for income protection?

Yes, absolutely. You have a legal duty to disclose all relevant medical information, including any diagnosis, symptoms, or treatment related to a heart condition. Failing to do so is known as non-disclosure and can result in your policy being cancelled and any future claim being rejected.

Can I get income protection after a heart attack?

Yes, it is often possible, but not immediately. Most insurers will postpone an application for at least 12 to 24 months after a heart attack to allow for a period of stable recovery. After this time, it is often possible to secure cover, most likely with an exclusion for cardiovascular conditions.
For most people, yes. An exclusion allows you to get affordable cover for the most common causes of long-term absence, such as cancer, mental health issues, and musculoskeletal problems. It provides a vital financial safety net against a huge range of unforeseen illnesses and accidents, protecting your income and your family's lifestyle.

Will my income protection premiums be more expensive if I have a heart condition?

There are two main possibilities. The insurer may apply a premium loading, which means you pay a higher monthly premium for full cover. Alternatively, and more commonly for heart conditions, they may apply an exclusion, which often allows you to get cover at or close to the standard premium. A specialist broker helps you find the most suitable and cost-effective outcome for your specific circumstances.

Conclusion: Take Control of Your Financial Security

Living with a pre-existing heart condition requires careful management, and the same is true of your financial planning. While the path to securing income protection is more complex, it is a journey worth taking.

The key takeaway is that an exclusion is not a failure; it is the enabler that often makes affordable and wide-ranging cover possible. By protecting your income against cancer, accidents, and a host of other conditions, you remove a significant source of financial anxiety from your life.

Navigating the nuances of different insurers' underwriting philosophies is a specialist skill. By working with an expert adviser, you transform the process from a game of chance into a strategic exercise, dramatically increasing your likelihood of a successful outcome.

Don't let a past health issue dictate your future financial security. Take the first step today to find out what options are available to you.

Contact WeCovr for a free, no-obligation discussion. Our expert advisers are ready to assess your situation and explore the market to find the protection you and your family deserve.

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.

Sources

  • NHS
  • Office for National Statistics (ONS)
  • Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
  • GOV.UK
  • Association of British Insurers (ABI)
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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:

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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.

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