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The Protected Life: Unlocking Your True Potential

The Protected Life: Unlocking Your True Potential 2025

Beyond Fear: How Strategic Financial Protection and Proactive Health Planning Are the New Foundations for Personal Growth, Liberating You to Live Your Best Life. As we approach 2025, with health realities like 1 in 2 UK individuals facing a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime, discover how vital Family Income Benefit, Income Protection, Life and Critical Illness Cover, and tailored Personal Sick Pay – critical for our dedicated tradespeople, nurses, and electricians – alongside essential Life Protection and Gift Inter Vivos, create an unbreakable safety net. Explore how private health insurance acts as a game-changer, offering rapid access to specialists, cutting wait times, and accelerating recovery, empowering you to rebound faster. This isn't just about financial security; it's a revolutionary blueprint for building resilience, deepening relationships, and pursuing your passions without the burden of uncertainty, transforming potential into undeniable reality.

What if the biggest obstacle to achieving your dreams isn't a lack of ambition, talent, or drive, but the silent, nagging weight of "what if?" What if you fell ill? What if you couldn't work? What if the worst happened? For too long, we've viewed financial and health protection through a lens of fear. It’s been seen as a necessary but grim chore, a plan for the worst-case scenario.

But what if we reframed that entirely?

Imagine a life where financial uncertainty doesn't hold you back from starting a business, taking a career leap, or dedicating more time to your family. Imagine a reality where a health concern is met with immediate action, not anxious months on a waiting list. This isn't a fantasy. This is The Protected Life—a modern blueprint for living that uses strategic financial and health planning not as a defence mechanism, but as a launchpad for personal growth and fulfilment.

As we look towards 2025, the need for this shift in mindset has never been more urgent. The statistics are stark. Landmark research from Cancer Research UK projects that 1 in 2 people in the UK born after 1960 will be diagnosed with some form of cancer in their lifetime. Simultaneously, our cherished NHS, while remarkable, faces unprecedented strain, with waiting lists for routine treatments reaching historic highs. The financial cushion many families once had has been eroded by economic volatility.

This article is not about dwelling on these challenges. It's about empowering you with the knowledge to rise above them. It's a definitive guide to building an unbreakable safety net using tools like Income Protection, Critical Illness Cover, and Private Medical Insurance. We will demystify these products, showing how they form a holistic ecosystem of support that liberates you from anxiety. This is your roadmap to building resilience, deepening your most important relationships, and finally unlocking the freedom to pursue your passions without the burden of "what if," transforming your potential into undeniable, lived reality.

The 2025 Reality Check: Why Proactive Planning is No Longer Optional

The world has changed. The old certainties—a job for life, a swift doctor's appointment, a predictable economic landscape—have been replaced by a more fluid, and often more precarious, reality. Understanding this new landscape is the first step towards building a truly resilient life.

The Health Equation: The "1 in 2" cancer statistic is a sobering headline, but it's part of a broader picture. We are living longer, which paradoxically increases our lifetime risk of developing serious health conditions. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), a man in the UK aged 65 in 2025 can expect to live another 19 years, and a woman another 21. A significant portion of these later years may be spent managing a health condition.

This demographic shift places enormous pressure on health services. NHS England data consistently shows millions of people on waiting lists for consultant-led elective care. The median wait time for treatment can stretch into months, a period filled with anxiety, discomfort, and potential deterioration of the condition. For a self-employed person or someone in a physically demanding job, this isn't just a health issue; it's a direct threat to their livelihood.

The Financial Bedrock: The UK's economic climate has tested the resilience of households nationwide. The Financial Conduct Authority's (FCA) Financial Lives survey regularly highlights the vulnerability of millions. A significant portion of UK adults report having low financial resilience, meaning they could not withstand a financial shock, such as a sudden loss of income for a month.

When a serious illness strikes, the financial impact can be devastating:

  • Loss of Income: Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) provides a minimal safety net of just over £116 per week (2024/25 rate). Could your family survive on this?
  • Increased Costs: Illness comes with hidden expenses—travel to hospitals, prescription charges, home modifications, and potentially the cost of private care.
  • Partner's Impact: Often, a partner or family member must reduce their working hours or stop working altogether to provide care, further straining household finances.

Ignoring these realities is not an option. True optimism isn't about hoping for the best; it's about preparing for the worst so you are free to enjoy the best.

The Pillars of Your Financial Fortress: A Guide to Protection Insurance

Your financial safety net is not a single product but a carefully woven combination of policies designed to catch you in different circumstances. Think of it as building a house: you need a foundation (Income Protection), walls (Critical Illness Cover), and a roof (Life Insurance).

Pillar 1: Income Protection - The Cornerstone of Your Plan

If you could only choose one type of protection, for many people, it would be Income Protection (IP). Why? Because your ability to earn an income is your single greatest financial asset. It pays for everything: your mortgage, your bills, your food, your children's future.

What is it? Income Protection provides a regular, tax-free monthly income if you are unable to work due to any illness or injury. It pays out after a pre-agreed waiting period (the 'deferred period') and can continue to pay until you recover, retire, or the policy term ends.

Key Features to Understand:

  • Deferred Period: This is the time you wait between stopping work and receiving your first payment. It can range from 4 weeks to 12 months. The longer the deferred period, the lower the premium. You can align this with your employer's sick pay scheme or your savings.
  • Level of Cover: You can typically cover 50-70% of your gross annual income. This is to ensure you have an incentive to return to work.
  • Definition of Incapacity: This is crucial. The best policies use an 'Own Occupation' definition, meaning the policy will pay out if you are unable to perform your specific job. Less comprehensive policies might use 'Suited Occupation' or 'Any Occupation', which are much harder to claim against.

Income Protection vs. Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) Let's be clear: SSP is not a substitute for proper income protection.

FeatureIncome ProtectionStatutory Sick Pay (SSP)
Weekly PayoutTypically £1,500-£5,000+ per month£116.75 per week (as of 2024/25)
Payout DurationUntil you recover or retireMaximum of 28 weeks
CoverageAny illness or injury preventing workMust be eligible & employed
ControlYou choose the cover level & termsFixed by the government

For the self-employed, freelancers, and contractors, Income Protection is not just important; it's essential. You have no employer sick pay to fall back on, making you incredibly vulnerable to even short-term illnesses.

Pillar 2: Critical Illness Cover - Financial Firepower When You Need It Most

While Income Protection replaces your monthly salary, Critical Illness Cover (CIC) provides a one-off, tax-free lump sum if you are diagnosed with one of a list of specified serious conditions.

What is it for? The freedom this lump sum provides is immense. It isn't tied to your income; it's designed to alleviate financial pressure at a time of immense emotional and physical stress. You could use it to:

  • Pay off your mortgage or other debts.
  • Fund private medical treatment or specialist therapies.
  • Adapt your home for new mobility needs.
  • Allow a partner to take time off work to support you.
  • Simply replace lost income and cover day-to-day bills, giving you space to recover without financial worry.

What to Look For: The number of conditions covered is a key selling point for insurers, but quality matters more than quantity. The vast majority of claims are for cancer, heart attack, and stroke. Ensure your policy provides comprehensive definitions for these core conditions. Many modern policies now include partial payments for less severe conditions, such as early-stage cancers, which provides a financial cushion without ending the main policy.

Pillar 3: Life Insurance - The Ultimate Act of Care

Life Insurance is the most well-known form of protection. It's simple, powerful, and a profound way to protect the people you love after you're gone.

What is it? It pays out a lump sum upon the policyholder's death. This money can be used by the beneficiaries for any purpose, but it's typically used to:

  • Clear an outstanding mortgage.
  • Cover funeral expenses.
  • Provide a legacy for children's education or future.
  • Replace the lost income of the deceased, allowing the surviving family to maintain their standard of living.

A common and highly effective variant is Family Income Benefit (FIB). Instead of a single lump sum, FIB pays out a regular, tax-free monthly or annual income from the point of claim until the end of the policy term. This can be easier for a grieving family to manage than a large lump sum and directly replaces the lost monthly income of the deceased.

Life Insurance vs. Family Income Benefit

FeatureLevel Term Life InsuranceFamily Income Benefit
PayoutOne-off, fixed lump sumRegular income stream
PurposeIdeal for clearing large debts like a mortgageIdeal for replacing lost salary & covering ongoing bills
CostGenerally more expensiveOften more affordable, especially for young families
ManagementBeneficiary must manage and invest the lump sumProvides a steady, manageable income
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Specialised Protection: Cover for Every Walk of Life

The "one-size-fits-all" approach doesn't work for protection. Different professions and life stages have unique needs.

For the Hands-On Heroes: Personal Sick Pay Our economy relies on skilled tradespeople, nurses, electricians, plumbers, and construction workers. These roles are often physically demanding and carry a higher risk of injury. A standard Income Protection policy with a long deferred period might not be suitable for a short-term injury that keeps you off the tools for 6-8 weeks.

This is where Personal Sick Pay (also known as Accident & Sickness Insurance) comes in. These policies are specifically designed for:

  • Shorter-Term Needs: They typically pay out for a maximum of 1 or 2 years.
  • Quicker Payouts: They often have very short deferred periods, sometimes from day one or day eight of being unable to work.
  • Affordability: Because the payout period is limited, they are often more budget-friendly than full Income Protection.

For a self-employed electrician who breaks a wrist, a Personal Sick Pay policy can be the difference between a minor inconvenience and a major financial crisis.

For the Forward-Thinkers: Gift Inter Vivos Insurance As you accumulate wealth, you may want to pass it on to your children or grandchildren during your lifetime. However, under UK Inheritance Tax (IHT) rules, if you die within seven years of making a significant gift, that gift could still be subject to IHT.

Gift Inter Vivos (GIV) insurance is a specialist type of life insurance policy designed to solve this problem. It's a term insurance policy that runs for seven years. If you were to pass away within that period, the policy pays out a lump sum to cover the potential IHT liability on the gift, ensuring your loved ones receive the full amount you intended. It's a savvy piece of estate planning.

The Health Game-Changer: The Power of Private Medical Insurance

While protection insurance secures your finances, Private Medical Insurance (PMI) secures your most valuable asset: your health and your time. In an era of long NHS waiting lists, PMI has transformed from a 'luxury' to a fundamental component of a proactive health strategy for many.

What is Private Medical Insurance? PMI is a policy that covers the costs of private medical care for acute conditions (illnesses or injuries that are likely to respond quickly to treatment). It works alongside the NHS—emergency services, for example, will always be provided by the NHS. But for non-urgent diagnostics, consultations, and procedures, PMI offers a parallel, faster path.

The Four Freedom's of PMI:

  1. Freedom from Waiting: This is the most significant benefit. Instead of waiting months for a consultation with a specialist or for a diagnostic scan (like an MRI or CT), you can often be seen within days or weeks. For conditions where early diagnosis is critical, this speed is invaluable.
  2. Freedom of Choice: PMI gives you control. You can choose the specialist or consultant you want to see and the hospital where you want to be treated, from a list provided by your insurer.
  3. Freedom of Comfort: Recovery is aided by a restful environment. PMI typically provides access to a private room with en-suite facilities, more flexible visiting hours, and other amenities that can make a stressful time more comfortable.
  4. Freedom of Access: Some PMI policies provide access to breakthrough drugs, treatments, or therapies that may not yet be approved for use on the NHS due to cost or other factors. This can open up life-changing options for certain conditions.

A Tale of Two Knees (A Hypothetical Scenario):

  • Without PMI: John, 50, develops severe knee pain. His GP refers him to an NHS orthopaedic specialist. He waits 18 weeks for his first appointment. The specialist confirms he needs an MRI, and he waits another 8 weeks for the scan. After diagnosis (a torn meniscus), he is placed on the surgical waiting list and finally has his operation 9 months after his initial GP visit.
  • With PMI: Sarah, 50, develops the same pain. Her GP gives her an open referral. She calls her PMI provider, who arranges an appointment with a top-rated orthopaedic specialist for the following week. The specialist sees her and books her in for an MRI two days later. With the diagnosis confirmed, her surgery is scheduled for two weeks' time. She is back on the road to recovery in under a month.

The difference is not just time; it's the reduction in pain, anxiety, and disruption to life and work. For anyone, but especially the self-employed, this accelerated timeline is critical.

For the Visionaries: Protecting Your Business, Your Directors, and Your Legacy

For company directors and business owners, the "what if" questions extend beyond the personal. The health and well-being of key individuals are intrinsically linked to the health of the business itself. Smart businesses protect their most valuable assets: their people.

Key Person Insurance: Shielding the Business from Loss

Who in your business is indispensable? The top salesperson who brings in 40% of the revenue? The technical genius with all the product knowledge? The founder whose vision drives the company? The loss of such a 'key person' due to death or critical illness could cripple a business.

Key Person Insurance is a policy taken out by the business, on the life of a key employee. The business pays the premiums and is the beneficiary. If the key person dies or suffers a critical illness, the policy pays a lump sum to the business to help it weather the storm. This money can be used to:

  • Recruit and train a replacement.
  • Cover lost profits during the disruption.
  • Reassure lenders and investors that the business is stable.
  • Repay a business loan that the key person may have guaranteed.

Executive Income Protection: A Tax-Efficient Perk for Your Most Valuable People

While an individual can take out their own Income Protection, a business can provide it for its directors and senior employees through an Executive Income Protection policy. This is a highly tax-efficient and attractive benefit.

How it works:

  • The company pays the premiums, which are typically treated as an allowable business expense.
  • If the director is unable to work, the policy pays a monthly benefit to the company.
  • The company then pays this income to the director through the normal PAYE payroll system.

This is a win-win. The director gets comprehensive income protection without paying for it from their net salary, and the company gets a valuable, tax-deductible tool to attract and retain top talent.

Relevant Life Cover: Death-in-Service Benefits for Small Businesses

Many large corporations offer 'death-in-service' benefits, but this has traditionally been difficult for small businesses to set up. Relevant Life Cover is the solution. It's a company-paid life insurance policy for an individual employee or director.

Key Advantages:

  • Tax-Efficient: The premiums paid by the business are not typically treated as a P11D benefit-in-kind for the employee, and they are usually an allowable business expense.
  • Goes to the Family: The payout is made directly to the employee's family or a trust, completely separate from the business.
  • Not Part of IHT Estate: The proceeds do not usually form part of the employee's estate for Inheritance Tax purposes.

It's a powerful way for small limited companies to offer a highly valued benefit that would otherwise be unaffordable.

Business Protection at a Glance

ProductWho is Insured?Who Pays & Benefits?Primary Purpose
Key Person InsuranceA key employee/directorThe BusinessProtect the company from financial loss
Executive IPA director/employeeThe Business (pays director via payroll)Provide a tax-efficient income replacement
Relevant Life CoverA director/employeeThe Business (pays family via trust)Provide a tax-efficient death-in-service benefit

Beyond Insurance: A Holistic Blueprint for a Resilient Life

True protection is not just about policies and payouts. It's a mindset—a commitment to holistic well-being that reduces your risks and enhances your quality of life. Insurance is the safety net, but your daily habits are the foundation.

  • Nourish Your Body: A balanced diet rich in whole foods, fruits, and vegetables is one of the most powerful preventative health measures you can take. Staying hydrated, limiting processed foods, and maintaining a healthy weight significantly reduce your risk of numerous chronic diseases.
  • Move Every Day: The benefits of regular physical activity are endless. It strengthens your heart, improves mental health, boosts your immune system, and promotes better sleep. Find an activity you enjoy, whether it's walking, cycling, swimming, or dancing.
  • Prioritise Sleep: Sleep is not a luxury; it is a biological necessity. It's when your body repairs itself, consolidates memories, and regulates hormones. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night.
  • Manage Your Mind: Chronic stress is a silent enemy. Incorporate mindfulness, meditation, or simple breathing exercises into your day. Nurture your social connections and make time for hobbies that bring you joy.

At WeCovr, we believe in this holistic approach. We don't just find you an insurance policy; we partner with you on your journey to a more resilient life. That's why we help our clients compare plans from every major UK insurer, ensuring they get the right cover at the best price. It's also why we go a step further, providing our clients with complimentary access to CalorieHero, our proprietary AI-powered calorie and nutrition tracking app. We know that empowering you with tools to manage your health proactively is just as important as providing a financial safety net.

From Theory to Practice: Putting It All Together

This might seem like a lot of information, but building your protected life can be broken down into simple, manageable steps.

Your 5-Step Action Plan for 2025

  1. Honest Assessment: Sit down and take stock. What are your monthly outgoings? What debts do you have (mortgage, loans)? Who depends on your income? What savings do you have, and how long would they last? What is your employer's sick pay policy?
  2. Identify the Gaps: Based on your assessment, where are you most vulnerable? The biggest gap for most people is the loss of income due to long-term illness. The second is the impact of a critical illness diagnosis on family finances.
  3. Prioritise Your Needs: You may not be able to afford every type of cover immediately. A common hierarchy of importance is:
    • 1. Income Protection: To protect your foundational asset—your income.
    • 2. Life & Critical Illness Cover: To protect your family and home from the impact of death or serious illness.
    • 3. Private Medical Insurance: To protect your health and time by ensuring fast access to care.
  4. Seek Expert, Independent Advice: The protection market is complex, with dozens of providers and policy variations. A quote from a comparison website is not advice. Working with an expert independent broker, like our team at WeCovr, is invaluable. We take the time to understand your unique circumstances, explain your options in plain English, and search the entire market to find the policy that truly fits your needs and budget.
  5. Review and Adapt: Your protection needs are not static. Life events like getting married, buying a home, having children, or changing jobs should all trigger a review of your cover to ensure it's still fit for purpose. Aim for a review every 2-3 years regardless.

Living a protected life is the ultimate act of self-care and responsibility. It’s a declaration that you value your future, your health, and your loved ones enough to build a fortress of security around them. It is this security that paradoxically sets you free—free from fear, free from uncertainty, and free to live more boldly, love more deeply, and achieve your most ambitious dreams. It’s time to stop planning for things to go wrong and start planning for everything to go right.

Isn't protection insurance too expensive?

The cost of protection insurance varies widely based on your age, health, lifestyle (e.g., whether you smoke), the type of cover, and the amount you need. However, it's often far more affordable than people think. For example, a healthy 30-year-old could secure meaningful life insurance or income protection for the price of a few cups of coffee a week. The cost of not having cover when you need it is infinitely higher. A good broker can help you tailor a plan to fit your budget.

Do I need a medical exam to get cover?

Not always. For many policies, especially for younger applicants seeking lower amounts of cover, insurers can make a decision based on the answers you provide on your application form. For larger sums assured, older applicants, or those with pre-existing medical conditions, the insurer may request more information. This could be a report from your GP (which they will arrange and pay for) or, less commonly, a mini-screening with a nurse. Honesty and accuracy on your application are paramount.

What's the difference between 'reviewable' and 'guaranteed' premiums?

This is a critical distinction.
  • Guaranteed premiums are fixed for the entire life of the policy. What you pay on day one is what you'll pay in the final year, providing certainty and making it easier to budget.
  • Reviewable premiums may start cheaper but the insurer has the right to review and increase them over time (e.g., every 5 years). These increases can be significant, potentially making the cover unaffordable as you get older. While they can seem attractive initially, guaranteed premiums are generally recommended for long-term peace of mind.

Will my pre-existing medical conditions be covered?

It depends on the condition, its severity, and when you last had symptoms or treatment. When you apply, you must declare all pre-existing conditions. The insurer will then do one of three things:
  1. Offer cover on standard terms if the condition is considered minor.
  2. Offer cover but with an 'exclusion' for that specific condition.
  3. Offer cover but with an increased premium (a 'loading') to reflect the higher risk.
In some cases, they may decline to offer cover. It's crucial to be completely transparent, as non-disclosure can invalidate your policy at the point of a claim.

Why should I use a broker instead of going directly to an insurer?

Using an independent broker like WeCovr has several key advantages. An insurer can only sell you their own products. A broker works for you, not the insurance company. We can:
  • Search the whole market: We compare policies from all major UK insurers to find the best fit.
  • Provide expert advice: We help you understand what you need and explain the complex jargon and policy definitions.
  • Help with the application: We can ensure your application is filled out correctly to avoid issues later.
  • Advocate for you at claim time: Should you need to make a claim, we can offer guidance and support throughout the process.
This expert guidance doesn't usually cost you anything extra, as brokers are paid commission by the insurer once a policy is in place.

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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