Login

Life's Unseen Shield: Fueling Personal Growth

Life's Unseen Shield: Fueling Personal Growth 2026

The 2025 Health Reality Check: Why Strategic Financial Protection Is Your Ultimate Personal Growth Catalyst

The statistics are sobering. According to Cancer Research UK, an estimated 1 in 2 people in the UK will face a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime. Let that sink in. This isn't a distant, abstract risk; it's a profound reality check for ourselves, our families, and our colleagues. In this landscape, it’s easy to view financial protection as a simple defensive measure—a parachute for a worst-case scenario. But what if we've been looking at it all wrong?

Discover how proactive measures—from Family Income Benefit and Income Protection (critical for tradespeople, nurses, and electricians) to Life and Critical Illness Cover, Personal Sick Pay, and the empowering choice of Private Health Insurance—aren't just about surviving a crisis. They are the unseen bedrock for audacious career shifts, nurturing deeper relationships, and unlocking profound personal development. This is your guide to understanding how securing your finances against the unexpected is the ultimate catalyst for ensuring you truly thrive and build a lasting legacy, even when life delivers its toughest blows.

The Modern Paradox: Chasing Ambition in an Age of Uncertainty

We live in an era of unprecedented opportunity. The desire to grow, to pivot careers, to launch a side-hustle into a full-blown business, or to simply achieve a more meaningful work-life balance has never been stronger. We scroll through stories of success, attend webinars on personal development, and map out five-year plans filled with ambitious goals.

Yet, beneath this drive for growth lies a quiet, persistent anxiety. What if?

  • What if I get sick and can't work for six months?
  • What if my partner is diagnosed with a serious illness?
  • What if my business partner has an accident?

These are not hypothetical fears. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that in 2023, an estimated 185.6 million working days were lost because of sickness or injury in the UK. For the self-employed, who make up a significant and growing part of our workforce, there is no statutory sick pay. For those in physically demanding roles like electricians, plumbers, or construction workers, an injury can mean an immediate and total loss of income.

This underlying uncertainty acts as a powerful brake on our ambitions. It keeps us in jobs we don't love because they feel 'safe'. It stops us from investing in that new business idea because the mortgage needs paying. It prevents us from taking a well-deserved sabbatical to recharge because our savings feel too precious to touch.

Financial insecurity doesn't just impact our bank balance; it hijacks our mental bandwidth, stifles our creativity, and keeps our boldest life plans locked firmly in the 'one day' drawer. Strategic financial protection is the key that unlocks that drawer.

Deconstructing the Shield: Your 2025 Financial Protection Toolkit

Understanding the different types of protection available is the first step towards building a robust financial shield. These are not just insurance policies; they are specialised tools designed to address specific risks, giving you comprehensive peace of mind. Let's break them down.

Income Protection: Your Personal Salary Safety Net

Often confused with other covers, Income Protection (IP) is arguably the foundation of any personal protection plan.

What it is: IP pays you a regular, tax-free monthly income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury. This continues until you can return to work, retire, or the policy term ends—whichever comes first. It is designed to replace a significant portion of your lost earnings, typically 50-70%.

Who it's crucial for:

  • The Self-Employed & Freelancers: For the 4.3 million self-employed people in the UK, IP is not a luxury; it's a necessity. With no employer sick pay to fall back on, it's the only way to ensure the bills get paid during a period of ill health.
  • Tradespeople & Manual Workers: Electricians, plumbers, builders, and other tradespeople rely on their physical health to earn a living. An injury that might be an inconvenience for an office worker can be a financial catastrophe for them.
  • Nurses & Healthcare Professionals: While the NHS offers a sick pay scheme, it is tiered and has limits. An extended absence could see income drop significantly, making IP a vital top-up for maintaining financial stability.
  • Anyone without generous employer sick pay: Many private sector employees find their sick pay runs out after a few weeks or months. IP picks up where your employer's support ends.

Think of Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) as a sticking plaster. As of 2024/25, it's just £116.75 per week, and it only lasts for 28 weeks. Could your household survive on that?

SSP vs. Typical Income Protection Payout

FeatureStatutory Sick Pay (SSP)Income Protection (IP)
Weekly Amount£116.7550-70% of your gross salary
Payment DurationMax. 28 weeksUntil you return to work or retire
EligibilityEmployees earning over £123/weekAnyone with an income
PurposeBasic, short-term supportComprehensive lifestyle maintenance

Critical Illness Cover: A Financial Cushion for Major Health Crises

A serious diagnosis is emotionally devastating. The last thing you or your family need is the added trauma of financial collapse.

What it is: Critical Illness Cover (CIC) pays out a one-off, tax-free lump sum if you are diagnosed with one of a specific list of serious medical conditions defined in the policy. The 'big three'—cancer, heart attack, and stroke—are almost always included, but modern policies can cover over 50 different conditions.

How the lump sum empowers you:

  • Clear the mortgage: Removing the biggest monthly outgoing provides immense breathing room.
  • Fund private treatment: Access specialist care or therapies not available on the NHS, potentially speeding up recovery.
  • Adapt your home: Make necessary modifications, such as installing a ramp or a stairlift.
  • Replace lost income: Allow a partner to take time off work to become a carer.
  • Reduce stress: Simply knowing that money is not a worry allows you to focus 100% on your health and recovery.

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) reports that in 2022, insurers paid out over £1.2 billion in critical illness claims, supporting over 19,000 individuals and families. This isn't 'what if' money; it's real support for real people.

Life Insurance: The Ultimate Act of Care for Your Loved Ones

Life insurance (also known as Life Protection or Life Assurance) is the most well-known form of protection, and for good reason. It’s a promise to your family that they will be financially secure, even if you’re no longer there.

What it is: It pays out a lump sum upon your death. There are two main types:

  1. Term Life Insurance: Covers you for a fixed period (e.g., 25 years, until the mortgage is paid off). It pays out if you die during the term. This is the most common and affordable type.
  2. Whole of Life Insurance: Covers you for your entire life and guarantees a payout whenever you die. It is often used for estate planning and covering inheritance tax liabilities.

A common misconception is that life insurance is only for those with children. But it can also protect a partner who relies on your income to pay the rent or mortgage, cover funeral costs (which now average over £4,000 in the UK), or clear outstanding personal debts.

Get Tailored Quote

Family Income Benefit: A Smarter Way to Protect Your Family

For many families, especially those with young children, a huge lump sum can be daunting to manage. Family Income Benefit (FIB) offers an intelligent alternative.

What it is: Instead of a single lump sum, FIB pays out a regular, tax-free monthly or annual income from the time of a claim until the end of the policy term.

Why it's so effective:

  • Budget-friendly: It directly replaces the lost monthly salary, making household budgeting simple and stress-free.
  • Cost-effective: Because the total potential payout decreases as the policy term progresses, FIB is often cheaper than an equivalent level of lump-sum life cover.
  • Peace of mind: It removes the pressure of having to invest a large sum of money wisely during a time of immense grief.

Example: A 30-year-old couple with two young children takes out a 20-year FIB policy to provide £2,500 per month. If one of them were to die five years into the policy, the surviving partner would receive £2,500 every month for the remaining 15 years, providing a stable financial foundation until the children are older.

Private Health Insurance: Taking Control of Your Healthcare Journey

With NHS waiting lists remaining a significant concern, Private Health Insurance (PMI) has shifted from a 'luxury' to a pragmatic choice for many.

What it is: PMI (also known as Private Medical Insurance) is a policy that covers the costs of private medical treatment for acute conditions. It gives you faster access to specialists, diagnostic tests (like MRI and CT scans), and treatment in a private hospital.

The tangible benefits:

  • Speed: Bypass long waiting lists for consultations, scans, and surgery. This can mean a faster diagnosis and a quicker start to vital treatment.
  • Choice: Select the specialist, consultant, and hospital that best suits your needs.
  • Comfort: Recover in a private room with more flexible visiting hours.
  • Peace of Mind: Reduce the anxiety and uncertainty associated with waiting for care, allowing you to focus on getting better.

PMI doesn't replace the NHS—which remains world-class for emergency and chronic care—but it works alongside it, giving you a powerful option to take control when you need it most.

For the Trailblazers: Fortifying Your Business and Legacy

For company directors, business owners, and entrepreneurs, the line between personal and professional wellbeing is often blurred. An illness doesn't just affect you; it can destabilise the entire business you've worked so hard to build. Specialised business protection is designed to shield your enterprise from these shocks.

Key Person Insurance: Protecting Your Most Valuable Asset

Who is indispensable to your business? Is it the technical genius who wrote all your code? The charismatic founder who secures all the funding? The sales director with an unbeatable network?

What it is: Key Person Insurance is a policy taken out by the business on the life or health of a crucial employee. If that person dies or is diagnosed with a critical illness, the policy pays a lump sum directly to the business.

How it saves the business:

  • Covers the cost of recruiting and training a replacement.
  • Compensates for lost profits or a downturn in sales during the transition.
  • Reassures investors, lenders, and clients that the business is stable.
  • Helps to clear business loans or other debts that the key person may have guaranteed.

Executive Income Protection: A Tax-Efficient Perk for Leaders

This is a powerful and tax-efficient way for a business to provide top-tier income protection for its directors and senior staff.

What it is: The company pays the premiums for an Income Protection policy for an employee. If that employee is unable to work due to illness or injury, the benefit is paid to the company, which then pays it to the employee through the payroll system (as a salary).

The dual advantage:

  • For the Company: The premiums are typically classed as an allowable business expense, making it highly tax-efficient.
  • For the Employee: They receive a highly valuable benefit without being taxed on the premium as a 'benefit in kind'.

Gift Inter Vivos & Inheritance Tax (IHT) Planning

For those looking to build a lasting legacy, protecting your estate is paramount. If you gift a significant asset (like property or a large sum of money), it may still be subject to Inheritance Tax if you die within seven years.

A Gift Inter Vivos policy is a specific type of life insurance designed to cover this potential IHT liability. It's a simple, cost-effective way to ensure your gift reaches your loved ones in full, just as you intended.

Quick Guide: Who Needs What?

Your RolePrimary Protection NeedsSecondary/Business Needs
Self-Employed FreelancerIncome Protection, Critical Illness CoverPrivate Health Insurance, Life Insurance
TradespersonIncome Protection, Personal Sick PayCritical Illness Cover, PMI
Young FamilyLife Insurance, Family Income Benefit, IPCritical Illness Cover
Company DirectorExecutive Income Protection, CICKey Person Insurance, Relevant Life Cover
High Net Worth IndividualWhole of Life Insurance, CICGift Inter Vivos (IHT planning)

The Catalyst Effect: Igniting Your Personal Growth

Now we arrive at the heart of the matter. With a robust shield of financial protection in place, the world looks different. The background noise of financial anxiety fades, and you are left with the clarity and confidence to pursue a bigger, bolder life. This is the catalyst effect.

1. Fuelling Audacious Career Shifts

Have you ever dreamed of leaving your 9-to-5 to launch your own consultancy? Or taking a six-month career break to retrain in a new field? The number one thing holding people back is the fear of losing their steady income.

Income Protection and Critical Illness Cover dismantle this fear. They create a financial floor beneath you. Knowing that your mortgage and bills will be paid even if you get sick gives you the courage to take calculated risks. It transforms a terrifying leap of faith into a well-planned strategic move. The safety net allows you to climb higher.

2. Nurturing Deeper, More Resilient Relationships

Financial strain is a notorious cause of stress in relationships. When a health crisis strikes, this pressure is magnified a hundredfold. Arguments about money and the future can poison a time when emotional support and unity are most needed.

When a Critical Illness policy pays out, it does more than just cover bills. It buys time. It allows a partner to step back from work to provide care without financial penalty. It removes the suffocating stress of 'how will we cope?', replacing it with 'how can we best support each other?'. This financial resilience allows you to focus on what truly matters: love, care, and healing. It strengthens bonds in the face of adversity, rather than letting adversity break them.

3. Unlocking Profound Personal Development

Personal growth requires resources: time, energy, and money. A secure financial footing frees up all three.

  • Mental Space: When you aren't constantly worried about financial 'what ifs', your mind is free to learn, create, and explore.
  • Financial Freedom: A critical illness payout could be the very thing that funds a return to education, the purchase of an art studio, or the round-the-world trip you've always dreamed of. It can turn a health crisis into an unexpected opportunity for reinvention.
  • Energy and Focus: With PMI providing swift access to treatment, your energy is channelled into recovery and getting back to your passions, not languishing on a waiting list.

At WeCovr, we see this transformative power every day. We help clients move beyond a mindset of fear and into one of empowerment. By comparing plans from all the UK's leading insurers, we help you build the precise shield you need, not just to survive, but to truly flourish. As a thank you to our clients, we also provide complimentary access to our AI-powered calorie tracking app, CalorieHero, because we believe that proactive health management and strategic financial planning are two sides of the same coin.

Beyond the Policy: Cultivating a Proactive Health Mindset

Your greatest asset is your health. While insurance provides a financial shield, cultivating a proactive health mindset can strengthen your physical and mental resilience, reducing the likelihood you'll ever need to claim. It's a virtuous cycle: a healthier lifestyle can often lead to lower insurance premiums and, more importantly, a higher quality of life.

The Four Pillars of Resilience

  1. Nourish Your Body: You don't need a restrictive diet. Focus on a balanced intake of whole foods: lean proteins, healthy fats, complex carbohydrates, and a rainbow of fruits and vegetables. Small changes, like swapping sugary snacks for a piece of fruit or ensuring you're properly hydrated, can have a huge impact on your energy levels and immune system.
  2. Move with Purpose: The NHS recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity a week. This doesn't have to mean gruelling gym sessions. A brisk 30-minute walk each day, a weekend bike ride with the family, a dance class, or gardening all count. The key is consistency.
  3. Prioritise Sleep: Sleep is not a luxury; it is a biological necessity. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night. It's during sleep that your body repairs cells, consolidates memories, and regulates hormones. Create a restful environment: a dark, cool room, and no screens for an hour before bed.
  4. Manage Your Mind: Chronic stress is a silent enemy. Incorporate stress-management techniques into your daily routine. This could be a 10-minute mindfulness meditation, journaling, spending time in nature, or simply dedicating time to a hobby you love.

Making It Happen: Your Strategic Action Plan

Feeling motivated? Here’s how to translate that motivation into concrete action.

Step 1: Conduct a Personal Financial Audit Be honest with yourself. What do you have in place right now?

  • What is your employer's sick pay policy? How long does it last?
  • How much have you got in emergency savings? How many months' worth of expenses would it cover?
  • List your major monthly outgoings: mortgage/rent, utilities, food, transport, debt repayments.
  • Do you have any existing insurance policies? When did you last review them?

Step 2: Define Your 'Why' What are you trying to protect? This is your core motivation.

  • Is it ensuring your children can go to university?
  • Is it keeping your business afloat?
  • Is it giving yourself the freedom to change careers in five years?
  • Is it protecting your partner from financial hardship?

Your 'why' will determine the types and levels of cover that are right for you.

Step 3: Seek Expert, Independent Guidance The world of financial protection can seem complex, with hundreds of products and providers. This is not a journey you should take alone. A specialist broker can be your expert guide.

This is where we come in. The team at WeCovr lives and breathes this market. We don't work for an insurance company; we work for you. Our role is to understand your unique situation, your 'why', and your budget. We then search the entire market to find the most suitable and cost-effective solutions from the UK's most trusted insurers. We handle the paperwork and explain the jargon, making the process clear, simple, and empowering.

Your Future Self Will Thank You

Investing in strategic financial protection is one of the most profound acts of self-care and forward-planning you can undertake. It is not about dwelling on the negative; it is about liberating yourself to embrace the positive.

It is the unseen shield that allows you to be brave. It is the solid ground that gives you the confidence to leap. It is the quiet promise to yourself and your loved ones that no matter what challenges life presents, you have the resources to face them with strength, dignity, and a focus on what truly matters.

Don't leave your ambitions, your family's security, and your personal growth to chance. Build your shield, and unlock the freedom to live the audacious, fulfilling life you were meant to live.


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

This is a common and important question. Think of it this way:
  • Income Protection (IP) is designed to cover any illness or injury that stops you from working. It pays a regular monthly income to replace your salary. The focus is on your inability to earn, not on the specific diagnosis. It can pay out for a bad back just as it can for a more serious condition, and payments continue until you recover or the policy ends.
  • Critical Illness Cover (CIC) is designed for specific, severe medical events. It pays a one-off, tax-free lump sum upon diagnosis of a condition listed in the policy (e.g., cancer, heart attack, stroke). The focus is on the diagnosis itself. You receive the lump sum whether you are able to work or not.
They serve different purposes and work very well together to create a comprehensive safety net. IP protects your ongoing lifestyle, while CIC provides a capital sum to deal with the immediate financial impact of a major health crisis.

As a freelancer, what is the single most important insurance for me?

While a full protection portfolio is always best, if a freelancer or self-employed person were to choose only one policy, it would almost certainly be Income Protection. As a freelancer, you have no employer sick pay and often limited savings to fall back on. Your ability to earn an income is your single biggest asset. Income Protection is the only policy specifically designed to protect that asset. It ensures that if you're unable to work due to any illness or injury, your essential bills and living costs are still covered, preventing a health issue from becoming a financial disaster.

Will my pre-existing medical conditions prevent me from getting cover?

Not necessarily. It is crucial that you declare all pre-existing conditions fully and honestly during the application process. Non-disclosure can invalidate your policy. For many common conditions, insurers will offer cover but may place an 'exclusion' on that specific condition or related conditions. For example, if you have a history of back pain, they might insure you but exclude claims related to your back. In some cases, they may offer cover with an increased premium (a 'loading'). Only in cases of very severe or complex medical histories might an insurer decline cover altogether. An expert broker can be invaluable here, as they know which insurers are more sympathetic to certain conditions and can help you find the best possible terms.

How much cover do I actually need?

The amount of cover you need is unique to your personal circumstances. There is no one-size-fits-all answer. To determine the right level, you should consider:
  • For Life Insurance: Think about your outstanding debts (mortgage, loans), future family costs (education, childcare), and how much income your dependents would need to replace. A common rule of thumb is 10 times your annual salary, but a detailed needs analysis is better.
  • For Critical Illness Cover: Consider a sum that could clear your mortgage and provide an income buffer for 1-2 years. This would give you significant financial breathing space.
  • For Income Protection: Look at your essential monthly outgoings. You can typically cover up to 70% of your gross income, which after tax, should be enough to maintain your current standard of living.
A financial adviser or specialist insurance broker can help you perform a detailed calculation to ensure you are neither under-insured nor paying for cover you don't need.

Is Private Medical Insurance a substitute for Income Protection?

No, they perform completely different and complementary roles. Private Medical Insurance (PMI) pays for the costs of your private medical treatment. Its goal is to get you diagnosed and treated quickly. It does not provide you with any money to live on. Income Protection (IP) pays you a replacement salary if you are too ill or injured to work. It does not pay for your medical bills. You can have a condition that stops you from working but doesn't require acute private treatment, in which case PMI would be no help, but IP would be essential. Conversely, PMI could get you swift surgery for an issue, but you'd still need IP to cover your bills while you recover. Ideally, they work together: PMI helps you get better faster, and IP protects your finances while you do.

Related guides

Why life insurance and how does it work?

What is Life Insurance?

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

How does it work?

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

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

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

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

Questions to ask yourself regarding life insurance

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

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

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

Benefits offered by income protection, life and critical illness insurance

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Types of life insurance policies

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Important Fact!

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

Why is it important to get life insurance early?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.



...

Who Are WeCovr?

WeCovr is an insurance specialist for people valuing their peace of mind and a great service.

👍 WeCovr will help you get your private medical insurance, life insurance, critical illness insurance and others in no time thanks to our wonderful super-friendly experts ready to assist you every step of the way.

Just a quick and simple form and an easy conversation with one of our experts and your valuable insurance policy is in place for that needed peace of mind!

Important Information

Since 2011, WeCovr has helped thousands of individuals, families, and businesses protect what matters most. We make it easy to get quotes for life insurance, critical illness cover, private medical insurance, and a wide range of other insurance types. We also provide embedded insurance solutions tailored for business partners and platforms.

Political And Credit Risks Ltd is a registered company in England and Wales. Company Number: 07691072. Data Protection Register Number: ZA207579. Registered Office: 22-45 Old Castle Street, London, E1 7NY. WeCovr is a trading style of Political And Credit Risks Ltd. Political And Credit Risks Ltd is Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and is on the Financial Services Register under number 735613.

About WeCovr

WeCovr is your trusted partner for comprehensive insurance solutions. We help families and individuals find the right protection for their needs.