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The Growth Paradox: Secure Your Potential

The Growth Paradox: Secure Your Potential 2025

You're building your best life, but what protects it from the unforeseen? With over 1 in 2 UK residents projected to face a cancer diagnosis by 2025, and high-risk careers from tradespeople to nurses facing unique vulnerabilities, discover how essential protection like Income Protection, Critical Illness Cover, Family Income Benefit, Personal Sick Pay, and private health insurance aren't just policies, but the foundational pillars enabling fearless personal development, financial resilience, and a lasting legacy for your loved ones through options like Life Cover and Gift Inter Vivos.

You're on a journey of growth. Every day, you invest time, energy, and passion into building a better future. You’re climbing the career ladder, launching your own business, raising a family, or perfecting your craft. You meticulously plan your finances, save for a mortgage, and invest for retirement. You insure your car, your home, and even your phone.

But what about the engine driving it all? What about you?

This is the Growth Paradox. We spend our lives building and acquiring assets, yet we often overlook the most critical one of all: our ability to earn an income and be there for our loved ones. In a world of increasing uncertainty, this oversight can be financially and emotionally devastating.

The statistics paint a stark picture. Projections from Cancer Research UK suggest that 1 in 2 people in the UK will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. Each year, over a million people find themselves out of work for more than four weeks due to sickness, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). For the UK's millions of self-employed workers, tradespeople, and those in physically demanding roles like nursing, an injury or illness doesn't just mean a few sick days; it can mean a total loss of income overnight.

This article is your definitive guide to dismantling the Growth Paradox. We will explore the essential protection products that act as a financial safety net, allowing you to pursue your ambitions with confidence and security. This isn't just about insurance; it's about empowering your potential.

The Growth Paradox: Why Your Greatest Asset Is Uninsured

Think about your most valuable financial assets. Your home might come to mind, or perhaps your pension pot. But the reality is, for most of us, our single greatest asset is our ability to generate an income over our working lives.

Consider this: a 30-year-old earning the UK average salary of £35,000 per year stands to earn over £1.3 million by the time they reach state pension age, without even accounting for pay rises. This income is the bedrock of your entire financial world. It pays the mortgage, covers the bills, feeds your family, and funds your dreams.

Yet, while 92% of UK homeowners have buildings insurance, data from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) reveals that a significantly smaller percentage have any form of income protection. We are a nation that is diligent about protecting our bricks and mortar but dangerously complacent about protecting the income that pays for it.

The financial shock of being unable to work can be catastrophic:

  • Minimal State Support: Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) in the UK is just £116.75 per week (2024/25 rate) and is only payable for a maximum of 28 weeks. Could your household survive on that?
  • Depleting Savings: The average UK household has around £7,000 in savings. While a helpful buffer, this would be exhausted quickly when covering a mortgage, council tax, utilities, and food.
  • Rising Debt: Without an income, families are often forced to rely on credit cards or loans, spiralling into debt at a time of immense personal stress.

A robust financial plan isn't just about growth; it's about resilience. It's about building a fortress around your ambitions, so that when life throws its inevitable curveballs, you and your family can withstand the impact.

Understanding the Core Risks to Your Financial Future

To build an effective financial fortress, you first need to understand the threats you're protecting against. Broadly, these fall into three categories, each with a specific insurance solution designed to mitigate it.

  1. Losing Your Income (Sickness or Injury): The risk of being unable to work for a prolonged period due to an illness or an accident. The primary solution here is Income Protection.
  2. Facing a Major Health Crisis (Serious Illness): The risk of being diagnosed with a life-altering condition like cancer, a heart attack, or a stroke. This often requires a significant financial injection to manage. The solution is Critical Illness Cover.
  3. Passing Away Unexpectedly (Death): The risk of leaving your loved ones with debts to pay and no future income to support them. The core solutions are Life Insurance and Family Income Benefit.

Let's break down each of these protective pillars in detail.

Protecting Your Paycheque: The Ultimate Guide to Income Protection

Income Protection (IP) is arguably the most important insurance policy you can own, yet it remains one of the least understood. It is the one policy that protects your entire lifestyle.

What is Income Protection (IP)?

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

  • It replaces a percentage of your gross earnings, typically between 50% and 70%.
  • It pays out after a pre-agreed waiting period, known as the 'deferred period'.
  • Crucially, it can continue to pay out until you are fit to return to work, you retire, or the policy term ends—whichever comes first.

It covers almost any illness or injury that prevents you from doing your job, from a bad back or severe stress to more serious conditions like cancer or multiple sclerosis.

Key Features to Understand

When considering Income Protection, there are three critical components to get right:

  1. The Deferred Period: This is the time you must wait between becoming unable to work and when the policy starts paying out. It can range from 4, 8, 13, 26, to 52 weeks. The longer the deferred period, the lower your premium. You should align this with any sick pay you receive from your employer or the length of time your personal savings could support you.

  2. The Definition of Incapacity: This is the most vital part of an IP policy. It defines the criteria an insurer uses to decide if you are eligible to claim.

    • Own Occupation: The gold standard. The policy pays out if you are unable to perform your specific job. A surgeon with a hand tremor, for example, could claim under this definition even if they could work in another role.
    • Suited Occupation: The policy pays out only if you are unable to do your own job or a similar job for which you are qualified by education or experience.
    • Any Occupation: The most restrictive and least desirable. It will only pay out if you are unable to perform any kind of work at all. We strongly advise seeking 'Own Occupation' cover wherever possible.
  3. The Payment Term: This determines how long the policy will pay out for.

    • Full Term: The policy pays a claim until you return to work or reach the end of the policy term (e.g., your planned retirement age of 68). This offers the most comprehensive protection.
    • Short Term: These policies limit claim payments to a set period, typically 1, 2, or 5 years per claim. They are cheaper but offer less security for long-term or recurring conditions.

Who Needs Income Protection Most?

While everyone who earns an income would benefit from IP, it is non-negotiable for certain groups:

  • The Self-Employed & Freelancers: With no employer sick pay to fall back on, you are your own safety net. An IP policy is the difference between a temporary setback and a business-ending disaster.
  • Company Directors: You might run the company, but your entitlement to state support is the same as everyone else's. An IP policy (or a specialist Executive Income Protection plan) is crucial.
  • Employees with Limited Sick Pay: A 2024 poll revealed that almost a quarter of UK companies only offer Statutory Sick Pay. If your employer's support is minimal, you need to create your own.
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Table: Income Protection vs. Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)

FeatureIncome Protection (Typical Policy)Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)
Weekly Payout£300 - £800+ (Based on salary)£116.75 (Fixed rate)
SourcePrivate InsurerEmployer / Government
Payment DurationUntil recovery or retirementMaximum of 28 weeks
Payout BasisTax-free monthly incomeTaxable weekly benefit
Cover ScopeCovers most illnesses/injuriesMust meet specific criteria
FlexibilityTailored to your needsOne size fits all

Facing the Unthinkable: Critical Illness Cover Explained

While Income Protection shields your monthly income, Critical Illness Cover (CIC) is designed to provide a financial shield against the impact of a major health shock.

How Does Critical Illness Cover (CIC) Work?

CIC pays out a one-off, tax-free lump sum if you are diagnosed with one of a list of predefined serious illnesses. The number of conditions covered can range from 40 to over 100, but the vast majority of claims (over 90%) are for three core conditions:

  • Cancer
  • Heart Attack
  • Stroke

Other commonly covered conditions include multiple sclerosis, kidney failure, major organ transplant, and permanent paralysis.

What Can You Use the Lump Sum For?

The freedom of a lump sum is its greatest strength. It provides financial breathing room, allowing you to focus on your recovery without immediate money worries. People use the payout for:

  • Clearing a mortgage or other significant debts.
  • Paying for private medical treatment or specialist consultations.
  • Making adaptations to their home (e.g., installing a ramp or stairlift).
  • Replacing a partner's income if they need to take time off work to care for you.
  • Funding a less stressful lifestyle or taking a recuperative break.
  • Simply covering bills and expenses while you reassess your future.

Modern Policies: Beyond the Basics

The critical illness market has evolved significantly. Many modern policies now include:

  • Children's Cover: Often included at no extra cost, providing a smaller lump sum if your child is diagnosed with a specified illness.
  • Severity-Based Payouts: These policies may pay a partial amount (e.g., 25% of the total sum assured) for less advanced conditions, such as an early-stage cancer that is successfully treated. This provides financial support without terminating the entire policy, which remains in place for a more serious diagnosis later.

Table: Comparing Income Protection and Critical Illness Cover

FeatureIncome ProtectionCritical Illness Cover
PurposeReplaces lost monthly incomeProvides a lump sum for major costs
Payout TriggerAny illness/injury stopping workDiagnosis of a specified condition
Payout TypeRegular, monthly paymentsOne-off, tax-free lump sum
Payout DurationCan last until retirementPaid once per claim
Best ForCovering ongoing living costsClearing large debts, funding treatment
AnalogyYour monthly 'salary' when sickYour 'emergency fund' for a crisis

Many people choose to hold both policies, as they serve different but complementary purposes.

For Those Who Depend on You: A Deep Dive into Life Insurance

Life insurance is the ultimate expression of care for the people you leave behind. It ensures that your death does not create a financial crisis for your family.

Term Life Insurance: Protection for a Specific Period

This is the most common and affordable type of life insurance. It covers you for a fixed period (the 'term'), such as 25 years to align with a mortgage. If you pass away within the term, the policy pays out. If you survive the term, the policy ends and has no value.

There are two main types:

  1. Level Term Insurance: The payout amount (the 'sum assured') remains the same throughout the policy term. For example, a £250,000 policy will pay out £250,000 whether you pass away in year 1 or year 24. This is ideal for covering an interest-only mortgage or providing a lump sum for your family to invest for an income.

  2. Decreasing Term Insurance: The payout amount reduces over the policy term, usually in line with a repayment mortgage. As you pay off your mortgage, the amount of cover needed reduces, so the policy payout decreases accordingly. This makes it a cheaper option, specifically designed for debt clearance.

Family Income Benefit: A Smarter Way to Protect Your Family?

Instead of paying a large, potentially overwhelming lump sum, Family Income Benefit (FIB) pays out a regular, tax-free income from the point of claim until the end of the policy term.

Example: Sarah, 35, has two young children aged 5 and 7. She wants to ensure their financial security until they are at least 21.

  • Option A (Lump Sum): She takes out a £500,000 level term policy. If she passes away, her partner receives £500,000 and has to manage this large sum to provide for the family for the next 16+ years.
  • Option B (FIB): She takes out a Family Income Benefit policy to provide an income of £2,500 per month until she would have turned 56 (a 21-year term). If she passes away five years into the policy, it will pay £2,500 per month to her family for the remaining 16 years.

FIB can feel more manageable for the surviving partner, simplifying budgeting and replacing the lost monthly salary in a like-for-like way. It is often significantly more affordable than an equivalent lump sum policy.

Whole of Life Cover: Protection That Lasts a Lifetime

As the name suggests, this policy is guaranteed to pay out whenever you die, as long as you have kept up the premiums. Because the payout is certain, premiums are considerably higher than for term insurance. It is typically used for two specific purposes:

  1. Covering Funeral Costs: To avoid leaving loved ones with an unexpected bill.
  2. Inheritance Tax (IHT) Planning: A Whole of Life policy can be written 'in trust' to pay out directly to your beneficiaries, giving them the funds to settle the IHT bill on your estate without having to sell assets like the family home.

Specialised Cover for High-Risk & Niche Professions

Standard protection is vital, but some careers and situations demand a more tailored approach.

Personal Sick Pay for Tradespeople and Manual Workers

For plumbers, electricians, builders, scaffolders, and even nurses on busy wards, the risk of a non-life-threatening but work-stopping injury is much higher. A broken leg or a slipped disc could mean months without income.

Personal Sick Pay is a form of short-term income protection specifically designed for these roles. Key features include:

  • Shorter Deferred Periods: You can often choose cover that pays out from 'Day 1' or 'Day 8' of being unable to work, which is crucial when you have no employer sick pay.
  • Focus on Injury: These policies are well-suited to covering the musculoskeletal injuries common in manual labour, which the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) identifies as a leading cause of work absence.
  • Budget-Friendly: Because the maximum claim period is usually limited to 12 or 24 months, premiums are kept affordable.

Private Medical Insurance (PMI): Your Fast-Track to Treatment

It's vital to distinguish PMI from the other types of cover. PMI does not pay you money; it pays for your medical treatment in the private sector.

In an era of record NHS waiting lists, the value of PMI has soared. Its core benefits include:

  • Bypassing Queues: Get prompt access to diagnostics (MRI, CT scans) and treatment.
  • Choice of Specialist and Hospital: You can choose the consultant and facility for your care.
  • Access to New Treatments: May provide access to drugs or treatments not yet available on the NHS.
  • Comfort and Privacy: A private room for your recovery.

PMI and Income Protection work as a powerful team: PMI gets you diagnosed and treated quickly, and IP pays your bills while you are recuperating, reducing overall time off work.

The Business Owner's Toolkit: Protecting Your Company and Your People

For company directors and business owners, protecting your personal finances is only half the battle. You also need to protect the business itself.

Key Person Insurance: Shielding Your Business from Loss

Who is indispensable to your business? Your top salesperson who brings in 40% of the revenue? The technical genius with all the coding knowledge? This is your 'key person'.

Key Person Insurance is a life or critical illness policy owned and paid for by the business. If the insured key person passes away or suffers a critical illness, the policy pays out to the business. This money can be used to:

  • Cover lost profits during the disruption.
  • Recruit and train a suitable replacement.
  • Reassure lenders and investors that the business can survive the loss.
  • Clear business debts if necessary.

Executive Income Protection: A Director's Perk

This is an income protection policy that is paid for by the company on behalf of a director or salaried employee. It is a highly tax-efficient way to provide cover:

  • Premiums are typically treated as an allowable business expense, reducing the company's corporation tax bill.
  • It is not usually considered a P11D benefit-in-kind, so there is no extra income tax for the director.
  • These policies often offer more generous cover limits than personal plans.

Relevant Life Cover: Tax-Efficient Life Insurance for Directors

For small businesses that don't have a full 'death-in-service' group scheme, a Relevant Life Policy is the perfect solution. It's a company-paid life insurance policy for an individual director or employee.

  • Like Executive IP, the premiums are an allowable business expense.
  • It is not a P11D benefit.
  • The policy must be written into a discretionary trust, so any payout goes directly to the employee's family, bypassing both the business and the employee's estate for Inheritance Tax purposes.

It's a tax-efficient way of providing a high-value employee benefit at a relatively low net cost to the company.

Legacy Planning: The Gift Inter Vivos Policy

As you build wealth, you might want to pass some on to your children or grandchildren during your lifetime. However, HMRC has strict rules about large financial gifts.

Under the '7-Year Rule', if you give away an asset or cash (above your annual allowances) and pass away within seven years, that gift may still be considered part of your estate for Inheritance Tax (IHT) purposes. The amount of tax due on the gift reduces over time, a process known as 'taper relief'.

Years Between Gift and DeathTax Paid on Gift
Less than 3 years40%
3 to 4 years32%
4 to 5 years24%
5 to 6 years16%
6 to 7 years8%
7+ years0%

A Gift Inter Vivos policy is a special type of life insurance designed to solve this problem. It's a decreasing term assurance policy where the sum assured reduces in line with the tapering IHT liability. If you die within the seven-year window, the policy pays out to cover the exact IHT bill on the gift, ensuring your beneficiaries receive its full value.

Proactive Protection: How Wellness and Insurance Go Hand-in-Hand

The modern insurance landscape is about more than just claims; it's about partnership in your health. Insurers now recognise that a healthier client is a lower-risk client, and they actively encourage and reward healthy living.

This philosophy is at the heart of what we do. We believe protection isn't just about a policy document; it's about empowering you to live your healthiest, most secure life. Insurers may offer lower premiums for non-smokers, those with a healthy BMI, and individuals with a clean bill of health. Some even provide access to wellness programmes, health screenings, and fitness tracking apps.

At WeCovr, we go a step further. We're passionate about our clients' overall well-being, which is why we provide complimentary access to our exclusive AI-powered calorie and nutrition tracking app, CalorieHero. It's a simple, effective tool to help you manage your diet and make positive lifestyle choices—a small way we can support your journey to better health, which in turn can contribute to your long-term financial security.

How to Navigate the Market and Find the Right Cover

The world of protection insurance is complex. The sheer number of products, providers, and policy definitions can be overwhelming. Attempting to navigate this alone can lead to costly mistakes, such as choosing the wrong definition of incapacity or being underinsured.

This is where working with an expert, independent broker like us at WeCovr makes all the difference.

  • We Are Experts: We live and breathe this market every day. We understand the nuances between different insurers' policies.
  • We Are Whole-of-Market: We are not tied to any single insurer. We compare plans from all the UK's leading providers to find the cover that is genuinely the best fit for your unique circumstances, profession, and budget.
  • We Handle the Hassle: From filling out the application to placing your policy in trust, we guide you through every step of the process, ensuring it's done correctly and efficiently.

Our role is to translate your life, your ambitions, and your fears into a robust, affordable, and tailored protection strategy.

Conclusion: From Paradox to Peace of Mind

The Growth Paradox is a challenge every ambitious person faces. The drive to build, create, and achieve can blind us to the fragility of the foundations upon which we build.

But it doesn't have to be this way.

By understanding the risks and embracing the solutions—Income Protection, Critical Illness Cover, and Life Insurance—you can transform that paradox into peace of mind. These policies are not expenses; they are investments. They are the scaffolding that allows you to build higher, the safety net that lets you take calculated risks, and the bedrock that ensures your legacy endures.

Securing your potential means protecting it. It means giving yourself and your loved ones the freedom to grow, fearlessly, knowing that whatever life throws your way, you have a plan in place.


Do I really need income protection if I have savings?

Generally, yes. Savings are a crucial buffer, but they are finite. The average UK household's savings would likely be depleted within a few months when covering major expenses like a mortgage and bills. Income Protection is designed for long-term scenarios, potentially paying out for years or even decades until you can return to work or retire. It protects your savings for their intended purpose, such as retirement or a major purchase, rather than using them for day-to-day survival.

Is critical illness cover worth it if we have the NHS?

Yes, because they serve two different purposes. The NHS provides outstanding medical care, but it does not pay your mortgage or cover your bills. Critical Illness Cover provides a tax-free lump sum to alleviate the financial pressures that a serious illness brings. This can allow you to take time off work to recover without stress, pay for private treatments not available on the NHS, or make necessary adaptations to your home. It's about financial recovery, which complements the medical recovery provided by the NHS.

How much life insurance do I need?

There's no single answer, but a common rule of thumb is to seek cover for around 10 times your annual salary. A more tailored approach is to calculate your specific needs. You should add up your outstanding debts (mortgage, loans), future family costs (e.g., university fees), and a lump sum to provide an income for your dependents. From this total, you can subtract any existing assets like savings or death-in-service benefits. A financial adviser can help you calculate a precise figure.

Can I get cover if I have a pre-existing medical condition?

It is often possible, but it depends on the specific condition, its severity, and how well it is managed. When you apply, you must disclose all medical history fully. The insurer may offer cover on standard terms, apply a higher premium (a 'rating'), or place an exclusion on the policy for that specific condition. In some cases, they may decline cover. It is crucial to be completely honest, as non-disclosure can void your policy at the point of a claim. Working with a broker is highly advantageous here, as they know which insurers are more likely to offer favourable terms for certain conditions.

As a freelancer, what's the single most important policy for me?

For most freelancers and self-employed individuals, Income Protection is the most critical policy. Without any form of employer sick pay, your income stops the moment you are unable to work. An Income Protection policy is the only product specifically designed to replace that lost monthly income, ensuring you can continue to pay your bills and maintain your lifestyle while you recover. It is the foundation of financial resilience for anyone who works for themselves.

Are insurance payouts taxed in the UK?

Generally, payouts from personally owned protection policies are not taxed. The monthly income from an Income Protection policy is paid tax-free. The lump sums from Critical Illness Cover and Life Insurance are also paid tax-free. However, for Life Insurance, if the policy is not written 'in trust', the payout may form part of your legal estate and could be liable for Inheritance Tax. This is why placing your policy in trust is so important, and it's a service a good broker can provide.

Why life insurance and how does it work?

What is Life Insurance?

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

How does it work?

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

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

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

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

Questions to ask yourself regarding life insurance

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

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

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

Benefits offered by income protection, life and critical illness insurance

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Types of life insurance policies

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Important Fact!

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

Why is it important to get life insurance early?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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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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.

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About WeCovr

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