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The UK's Hidden Health Catastrophe

The UK's Hidden Health Catastrophe 2026

By 2025, over 1 in 3 working Britons will see a health crisis worsen due to critical NHS delays, fueling a staggering £4 Million+ lifetime financial burden of lost income, unfunded advanced treatments & eroding family futures. Is your Life, Critical Illness & Income Protection Shield and Private Medical Insurance Pathway your essential defence against the UK's escalating healthcare strain?

The National Health Service is the jewel in Britain’s crown, a source of immense national pride. For generations, we’ve relied on its promise: to be there for us in our hour of greatest need, regardless of our ability to pay.

But that promise is being tested like never before.

The stark reality is that the NHS is facing an unprecedented and sustained period of strain. Post-pandemic backlogs, staff shortages, and increasing demand have converged to create a perfect storm. The result? Record-breaking waiting lists, critical delays for diagnosis and treatment, and a growing chasm between the care the NHS wants to provide and the care it can deliver.

This isn't just an inconvenience. For millions, these delays are a silent catastrophe unfolding in slow motion. A recent analysis projects a deeply concerning future: by 2025, more than one in three working-age Britons will either personally experience, or see a close family member's, health condition deteriorate due to delays in receiving NHS care.

The consequences are not just physical; they are profoundly financial. When a health crisis strikes, the shockwaves can shatter a family's financial foundations. The combined impact of lost income, the unforeseen cost of private care, paying for treatments not available on the NHS, and the ripple effect on a partner's career can create a devastating financial burden. For a high-earning family, this lifetime financial impact could, in the most severe circumstances, spiral into the millions.

This article is not designed to scare you. It is designed to prepare you. It is a definitive guide to understanding the very real risks we now face and, more importantly, the powerful, accessible solutions that can form an impenetrable shield around your family’s future. We will explore the four essential pillars of protection—Life Insurance, Critical Illness Cover, Income Protection, and Private Medical Insurance—and show you how they form an essential defence against the UK's escalating healthcare strain.

The Unseen Cost of Waiting: How NHS Delays Impact Your Health and Wealth

To truly grasp the need for a personal protection strategy, we must first confront the scale of the challenge. The headlines we skim about waiting lists represent real people whose lives and livelihoods are being put on hold, and often, at risk.

The Health Cost: A Ticking Clock

The core principle of modern medicine is early diagnosis and swift treatment. Delays directly undermine this principle, with potentially severe consequences.

  • Record Waiting Lists: As of early 2025, the number of people in England waiting for routine hospital treatment remains stubbornly high, with millions on the list. Shockingly, hundreds of thousands of these patients have been waiting for over a year for procedures that could dramatically improve their quality of life, such as hip or knee replacements.
  • The Cancer "Time Bomb": For conditions like cancer, every week counts. The NHS has a target that 85% of patients should start treatment within 62 days of an urgent GP referral. This target has been consistently missed for years. Delays in diagnosis and treatment can allow cancers to grow, spread, and become harder to treat, directly impacting survival rates.
  • Deteriorating Conditions: For someone waiting for a joint replacement, a nine-month delay isn't just nine months of pain. It's nine months of reduced mobility, potential muscle wastage, increased reliance on painkillers, and often an inability to work or live independently. The patient who eventually gets their surgery is in a worse state than when they were first referred.
  • The Mental Toll: The psychological burden of waiting is immense. Living with undiagnosed symptoms or a confirmed condition without a treatment plan creates a constant state of anxiety and stress, which can lead to or exacerbate mental health issues like depression and anxiety disorders.
Procedure/TargetNHS TargetTypical 2024/2025 PerformanceImpact of Delay
Urgent Cancer TreatmentStart within 62 daysOften below 65% on targetPoorer prognosis, more complex treatment
Referral to Treatment (RTT)92% seen within 18 weeksConsistently below 70%Condition worsens, prolonged pain
Diagnostic Tests99% receive within 6 weeksFrequently below 80%Delayed diagnosis, stress, uncertainty
A&E Waiting Times95% seen within 4 hoursOften below 75%Overcrowding, delayed urgent care

Sources: NHS England, The King's Fund analysis (2024-2025 data)

The Financial Cost: The Domino Effect

A serious health issue triggers a financial domino effect that can topple even the most carefully planned household budget. The assumption that the NHS will catch you is no longer a complete safety net.

  1. Lost Income: This is the most immediate and significant blow. Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is just £116.75 a week (2024/25 rate) - a sum impossible for most families to live on. Even generous employer sick pay schemes rarely last more than six months. A long-term absence due to illness or recovery means a catastrophic drop in income. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported a record number of people out of the workforce due to long-term sickness in 2024, a trend that continues to grow.

  2. The "Carer" Sacrifice: When a person becomes seriously ill, their partner or a close family member often becomes their primary carer. This can mean reducing their own working hours or leaving their job entirely, effectively halving the household income at the worst possible moment.

  3. The Price of "Going Private": Faced with a year-long wait for a painful or debilitating condition, many feel they have no choice but to pay for private treatment. This is a huge, unplanned expense. A single private MRI scan can cost £400-£800, a consultation with a specialist £250, and a procedure like a hip replacement can easily exceed £15,000.

  4. Unfunded Treatments & Adaptations: The NHS, due to budget constraints, cannot fund every available drug or therapy. This is particularly true for some advanced cancer treatments. A critical illness diagnosis can leave families facing the heartbreaking choice of either forgoing a potentially life-extending treatment or finding tens of thousands of pounds to fund it themselves. Add to this the cost of adapting a home for a wheelchair or installing a stairlift, and the costs quickly mount.

When you combine these factors—a year of lost salary, a partner's reduced income, the £15,000 cost of a private operation, and ongoing medical expenses—you can see how the financial burden can rapidly reach six figures, eroding savings and jeopardising a family's future.

Your Financial First Aid Kit: The Four Pillars of Protection

Believing "it won't happen to me" is a gamble with the highest possible stakes. A far better strategy is to build a robust financial shield. This shield is constructed from four key types of insurance, each designed to protect you from a different angle. They work best not in isolation, but as a complementary portfolio of protection.

Here are the four pillars:

  • Critical Illness Cover: Provides a tax-free lump sum if you are diagnosed with a specific, serious illness.
  • Income Protection: Pays a regular, monthly income if you are unable to work due to any illness or injury.
  • Private Medical Insurance (PMI): Covers the cost of private medical treatment, allowing you to bypass NHS waiting lists.
  • Life Insurance: Pays a lump sum to your loved ones if you pass away.

Let's look at how they work together in a simple table.

If you...Life InsuranceCritical Illness CoverIncome ProtectionPrivate Medical Insurance
Pass away✅ Pays Out❌ No❌ No❌ No
Get a serious illness (e.g., Cancer)❌ No✅ Pays Lump Sum✅ Pays Monthly✅ Pays Treatment Costs
Can't work (e.g., Back Pain)❌ No❌ No✅ Pays Monthly✅ Pays Treatment Costs
Need surgery (e.g., Hip Op)❌ No❌ No✅ Pays Monthly✅ Pays Treatment Costs

As you can see, no single policy covers every eventuality. A truly comprehensive plan uses a combination to ensure there are no gaps in your defence.

Deep Dive: Critical Illness Cover - Your Lump Sum Lifeline

Imagine receiving a diagnosis of cancer, a heart attack, or a stroke. Amid the emotional turmoil, the last thing you want is the added stress of financial worry. This is where Critical Illness Cover steps in.

It is a policy that pays out a one-off, tax-free lump sum upon the diagnosis of one of a list of pre-defined serious conditions. The Association of British Insurers (ABI) sets minimum standards for conditions, but most policies cover 40-50 conditions as standard, with some comprehensive plans covering over 100.

The core conditions always include the "big three":

  • Cancer
  • Heart Attack
  • Stroke

They also typically include major conditions such as:

  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Parkinson's disease
  • Major organ transplant
  • Kidney failure
  • Permanent loss of sight or hearing

How can the lump sum be used?

The power of a Critical Illness payout is its flexibility. The money is yours to use as you see fit, providing vital breathing space to focus on your recovery. People use the funds to:

  • Clear a mortgage or other major debts, removing the biggest financial pressure from the household.
  • Replace lost income, not just for yourself but for a partner who may need to take time off to care for you.
  • Pay for private treatment or specialist drugs not available on the NHS.
  • Make essential home modifications, like installing a ramp or a walk-in shower.
  • Simply reduce stress, allowing you to take a year off work to recuperate fully without financial anxiety.

Case Study: The Architect's Blueprint for Recovery David, a 50-year-old architect and father of two, was diagnosed with a specific type of cancer. Whilst the NHS care was excellent, his oncologist mentioned a new form of targeted therapy available privately that could improve his prognosis but was not yet NHS-funded. His £150,000 Critical Illness policy paid out within weeks of his diagnosis. He used £40,000 to fund the private treatment and put the rest towards clearing his mortgage. This removed the single biggest source of stress from his family, allowing him and his wife to focus entirely on his health and recovery.

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Deep Dive: Income Protection - The Bedrock of Your Finances

Whilst Critical Illness Cover is for life-changing events, Income Protection (IP) is the workhorse of personal insurance. Many experts, including us at WeCovr, consider it the most essential form of protection for any working adult.

Why? Because your ability to earn an income is your single biggest asset. Statistically, you are far more likely to be unable to work for a prolonged period due to illness or injury than you are to die or be diagnosed with a critical illness before retirement.

Income Protection is designed to replace a portion of your lost earnings if you can't work. It pays a regular monthly, tax-free income until you are able to return to work, reach retirement age, or the policy term ends—whichever comes first.

Understanding the Key Terms

Getting the right IP policy is about understanding the details:

  • The Deferment Period: This is the time you have to wait from the day you stop working until the policy starts paying out. It can be anything from 1 day to 12 months. The longer the deferment period you choose, the lower your premium. The smart move is to align it with your employer's sick pay scheme and your emergency savings.
  • The Definition of Incapacity: This is crucial. The best policies use an 'Own Occupation' definition. This means the policy will pay out if you are unable to do your specific job. Other, less robust definitions like 'Suited Occupation' (any job you're qualified for) or 'Any Occupation' (any job at all) are harder to claim on and should generally be avoided.
  • Payment Period: Policies can be short-term (paying out for 1, 2, or 5 years per claim) or long-term (paying out right up until retirement age if necessary). Long-term cover provides the most comprehensive security.

The Financial Cliff Edge

Many people overestimate how long their employer would support them. The reality is a sharp financial cliff edge.

Time Off WorkTypical Income Source% of Normal Income
Weeks 1-4Full Company Sick Pay100%
Weeks 5-28Half Company Sick Pay50%
Week 29 onwardsStatutory Sick Pay (SSP)~15-20% (approx. £116/week)
After 28 weeks of SSPGovernment BenefitsDependent on circumstances

An Income Protection policy is designed to bridge this chasm, kicking in just as your employer's support and SSP run out, and replacing it with a stable, reliable income stream. At WeCovr, we help clients navigate these options, explaining the crucial difference between an 'own occupation' and a 'suited occupation' definition to ensure your policy pays out when you truly need it.

Deep Dive: Private Medical Insurance (PMI) - Your Pathway to Swift Treatment

If Income Protection shields your finances, Private Medical Insurance (PMI) protects your time and your health. It is the most direct solution to the problem of NHS waiting lists.

PMI, also known as private health insurance, is a policy that covers the cost of private healthcare, from diagnosis through to treatment. It gives you choice, control, and speed when you need it most.

How PMI Puts You in Control

  • Bypass Waiting Lists: This is the primary benefit. A PMI policyholder can often see a specialist within days and be scheduled for surgery or treatment within weeks, not months or years.
  • Choice of Specialist and Hospital: You can choose the consultant you want to see and the hospital you want to be treated in from a list provided by your insurer.
  • Access to the Latest Technology: Private hospitals are often among the first to invest in the latest diagnostic scanners and surgical techniques.
  • Comfort and Privacy: Treatment is usually in a private room with an en-suite bathroom, more flexible visiting hours, and better food choices, creating a more comfortable and restful recovery environment.
  • Valuable Added Benefits: Modern PMI policies come with a host of extras, such as 24/7 virtual GP services, mental health support lines, and physiotherapy access, all of which help you manage your health proactively.

What PMI Does and Doesn't Cover

It's important to understand that PMI is designed for acute (curable) conditions that arise after you take out the policy. It does not typically cover:

  • Pre-existing conditions (though some underwriting options can accommodate this after a set period).
  • Chronic conditions like diabetes or asthma that require ongoing management rather than a cure.
  • Emergency services (A&E).
  • Normal pregnancy and childbirth.

PMI works in partnership with the NHS. You still use your NHS GP for referrals and the NHS A&E for emergencies. But for everything in between—the scans, the consultations, the operations—PMI provides a swift and efficient private pathway.

Navigating the complexities of PMI, from hospital lists to outpatient limits, can be daunting. Our team at WeCovr compares policies from leading UK providers like Bupa, Aviva, and Vitality to find a plan that matches your needs and budget. Plus, as a WeCovr customer, you'll get complimentary access to our CalorieHero app, an AI-powered calorie tracker, because we believe in proactive health as well as reactive protection.

Don't Forget Life Insurance: The Ultimate Safety Net

In a discussion about surviving illness, it can feel strange to talk about Life Insurance. But it remains a fundamental part of any complete protection plan. It provides a financial backstop for your loved ones in the event of the worst-case scenario.

A critical illness can sometimes become a terminal one. Life Insurance ensures that even if you are no longer around, your family's financial future is secure. The payout can be used to:

  • Pay off the mortgage, ensuring your family always has a home.
  • Provide an income for your surviving partner and children for years to come.
  • Cover funeral costs.
  • Fund future expenses like university fees.

Crucially, it is highly recommended to have your life insurance policy written 'in trust'. This is a simple legal arrangement that ensures the payout goes directly to your chosen beneficiaries, bypassing your estate. This means the money is paid out much faster and is usually exempt from Inheritance Tax.

How Much Cover Do I Need? A Practical Guide

This is the most common question, and the answer is always personal. However, we can use some robust rules of thumb to create a starting point.

For Critical Illness Cover:

Your goal is to create a 1-2 year financial "breathing space."

  • Calculation: (1 to 2 x Your Annual Net Salary) + (Outstanding Mortgage Balance) + (Other Debts) = Your CI Cover Amount.
  • Example: You earn £35k after tax, have a £200k mortgage and £5k on a car loan. A good level of cover would be £35,000 + £200,000 + £5,000 = £240,000.

For Income Protection:

Your goal is to cover your essential monthly outgoings.

  • Calculation: Insurers will typically let you cover 50-70% of your gross (pre-tax) salary. This is because the payout is tax-free. Add up your mortgage/rent, bills, food, and other essential spending to find your target monthly benefit.
  • Example: You earn £50,000 gross per year (£4,167/month). You could insure up to around £2,400 per month.

For Life Insurance:

Your goal is to clear debts and provide for your family's future.

  • Calculation: (Outstanding Mortgage & Debts) + (10 x Your Annual Salary to provide an income for your family) = Your Life Cover Amount.
  • Example: You have a £200k mortgage and earn £35k a year. A solid level of cover would be £200,000 + (£35,000 x 10) = £550,000.

Use this table as a simple needs-analysis worksheet:

Your Financial NeedsEstimated AmountLife InsuranceCritical IllnessIncome Protection
Mortgage/Rent Balance£___________
Other Loans/Debts£___________
Annual Salary Replacement£___________✅ (x10)✅ (x1-2)
Monthly Bills & Essentials£___________✅ (covers this)
Future Costs (e.g., Uni Fees)£___________
Your Target Cover ->£___________£___________£___________

The Real Cost of Inaction: Can You Afford to Wait?

It's easy to put off thinking about insurance. It's an expense today for a problem that might happen tomorrow. But this mindset is a false economy. The reality is that the cost of being unprepared is infinitely higher than the cost of preparation.

A healthy, 35-year-old non-smoker could secure comprehensive Income Protection for their entire career for the price of a weekly takeaway. They could get a significant Critical Illness and Life Insurance policy for a similar amount.

The cost of these policies is based on your age and health at the time of application. The younger and healthier you are, the cheaper it is to lock in cover for the future. Waiting until you have a health scare is often too late—premiums will be higher, or you may be unable to get cover at all.

The choice is stark: pay a small, manageable amount now to guarantee your financial security, or risk facing a six-figure financial catastrophe with no safety net.

Take Control of Your Financial Future Today

The healthcare landscape in the UK is changing. Whilst the NHS will always be there for emergencies, relying on it solely for every aspect of your health and financial wellbeing is no longer a viable strategy. The strain on the system is creating unacceptable delays that threaten not just our health, but our financial stability.

This isn't a cause for despair, but a call for empowerment. You have the tools at your disposal to build a fortress around your family's future. A carefully constructed portfolio of Life Insurance, Critical Illness Cover, Income Protection, and Private Medical Insurance is your personal defence against the unforeseen. It is the definitive way to ensure that a health crisis does not become a financial catastrophe.

Don't leave your family's future to chance and the mercy of a waiting list. The time to build your financial shield is now, whilst you are healthy and premiums are at their lowest.

Speak to an expert adviser at WeCovr today for a no-obligation review of your circumstances. We'll help you understand your risks and compare policies from across the market to build a personalised protection plan that gives you and your family the peace of mind you deserve.


Related guides

Why life insurance and how does it work?

What is Life Insurance?

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

How does it work?

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

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

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

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

Questions to ask yourself regarding life insurance

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

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

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

Benefits offered by income protection, life and critical illness insurance

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Types of life insurance policies

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Important Fact!

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

Why is it important to get life insurance early?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Any questions?

Life, income protection, and/or critical illness insurance are safety nets, very important at a difficult time. If anything happened to you before your cover ends, your life or critical illness insurance would pay a lump sum to your family and/or you (if you took a critical illness or income protection cover) to help cover the losses. Being diagnosed with a critical illness can be devastating, and it won't help matters to be also worrying about how you would cope financially. With a life, income protection, or critical illness policy, you can choose how much cover you need, how you want the policy to pay out, and whether you want cover for both you and your partner. Income protection insurance pays you a regular income if you can't work because of sickness or disability and continues until you return to paid work or you retire. Also known as permanent health insurance, it is quite important for anyone who relies on a paycheck to cover their living costs, but it's particularly important if you're self-employed or own a small business, where your income might be a bit less stable.

Life, income protection, and critical illness insurance pay out millions to families every day. Your expert will explain to you that you need to be honest and open when applying for your insurance.

If you're single with no dependants then it may be that you don't need life assurance. However, if you were to become seriously ill and unable to work, you may benefit from a critical illness or income protection policy. They can help you keep up to date with your rent, bills, food, and other expenses.

It's free to use WeCovr to find life, income protection, and critical illness insurance - we never charge you for quotes. Critical illness, income protection, and life insurance is an investment that pays many times over for you and/or your loved ones.

Life, income protection, and critical illness insurance are important financial products that insurance companies take a lot of care and diligence, so speaking to real human beings ensures that they understand your requirements fully so that you can get the right cover.

All of our partners are carefully vetted and authorised by the FCA, which means they are held to the highest standards that the FCA expects from them and treat all customers fairly!

Our insurance partners give us a few pounds when you take out a policy with one of their experts.

The cost of life insurance depends on several factors, including your age, occupation, health status, and the level of coverage you choose. Your life insurance policy is tailored to your needs, and the cost can vary based on the sum assured, policy term, and other factors.

Some life insurance policies offer an option to add critical illness cover as a rider or as a separate policy. This provides a lump sum payment if you are diagnosed with a critical illness covered by your policy, offering financial support during a difficult time.

Yes, life insurance is available to self-employed individuals to provide financial protection for their loved ones in the event of their death. It ensures that your family can maintain their standard of living and cover expenses such as mortgage payments, bills, and education costs.

If you outlive your life insurance policy and it expires without a claim, you will not receive any payout. Term life insurance policies are designed to provide coverage for a specific period, and once that period ends, the policy terminates without any residual value. However, you can typically renew or purchase a new policy if you still need coverage.

Critical illness insurance provides a lump sum payment if you're diagnosed with a serious illness covered by your policy, offering financial support during a difficult time. It can help cover medical expenses, mortgage payments, and other financial obligations while you focus on recovery.

Critical illness insurance covers a range of serious illnesses and medical conditions specified in your policy, such as cancer, heart attack, stroke, and organ failure. The lump sum payment can be used to cover medical treatment, ongoing care, and living expenses during your recovery.

The cost of critical illness insurance varies depending on factors such as your age, health status, lifestyle, and the level of coverage you choose. Our experts can provide personalised quotes to help you find affordable coverage.

Yes, you can have critical illness insurance alongside your health insurance coverage. Critical illness insurance provides additional financial protection specifically for serious illnesses, complementing your health insurance benefits.

Critical illness insurance policies typically have exclusions for pre-existing conditions and certain medical conditions not covered by the policy. It's essential to review the terms and conditions of your policy to understand what is and isn't covered.

Some critical illness insurance policies may provide coverage for recurring illnesses, while others may not. It's crucial to review the policy terms and understand the specific conditions under which you can make additional claims for recurring illnesses. Your insurer can provide more details on their coverage for recurring critical illnesses.

Yes, you can customise your life insurance policy to suit your individual needs and circumstances. Options may include choosing the sum assured, policy term, premium payment frequency, and additional riders for enhanced coverage.

If you miss a premium payment for your life insurance policy, your coverage may lapse, and your policy could be terminated. However, many insurers offer a grace period during which you can make the payment to keep your policy active. It's essential to contact your insurer to discuss your options if you're unable to make a payment.

Yes, you can typically change the beneficiary of your life insurance policy at any time by completing a beneficiary change form provided by your insurer. It's essential to keep your beneficiary designation up to date to ensure that the proceeds are distributed according to your wishes.

Term life insurance provides cover for a fixed period, such as 10, 20 or 30 years, and pays out a lump sum if you die during that time. It’s often chosen to protect a mortgage or to provide financial support while dependants still rely on your income. Whole-of-life insurance is designed to last for the rest of your life and guarantees a payout whenever you die, as long as premiums are maintained. It’s usually more expensive than term insurance and is sometimes used to help with inheritance tax planning or to leave a guaranteed legacy.

Some term life insurance policies offer the option to convert to a whole life insurance policy without the need for a medical exam or new underwriting. This conversion feature allows you to maintain coverage beyond the term of your policy and provides lifelong protection.

Some life insurance policies offer accelerated death benefits or living benefits that allow you to access a portion of the death benefit if you are diagnosed with a terminal illness. This feature provides financial assistance to help cover medical expenses and other costs during your final months.

While having savings can provide a financial cushion during tough times, income protection insurance offers additional security by replacing a portion of your income if you're unable to work due to illness or disability. It ensures that you can maintain your standard of living and cover essential expenses even if your savings are depleted.

Yes, self-employed individuals can claim income protection insurance if they're unable to work due to illness or disability. Income protection provides a regular income stream to replace lost earnings, helping self-employed individuals cover their living expenses and business costs during periods of incapacity.

The waiting period, also known as the elimination period, is the length of time you must wait after becoming unable to work due to illness or disability before you can start receiving benefits from your income protection insurance policy. Waiting periods typically range from 30 to 90 days, but longer waiting periods may result in lower premiums.

Income protection insurance is designed to provide financial support if you're unable to work due to illness or disability, not for redundancy. However, some policies may offer optional redundancy cover or unemployment cover as an additional benefit, providing a lump sum or monthly payments if you're made redundant.

The tax treatment of income protection insurance benefits depends on whether the premiums were paid with pre-tax or after-tax dollars. Benefits from policies funded with after-tax dollars are typically tax-free, while benefits from policies funded with pre-tax dollars may be subject to income tax. It's essential to consult with a tax advisor to understand the tax implications of your income protection insurance benefits.

Income protection insurance provides a regular income stream if you're unable to work due to illness or disability, while critical illness insurance provides a lump sum payment if you're diagnosed with a covered critical illness, such as cancer, heart attack, or stroke. Critical illness insurance offers financial support to cover medical expenses, living costs, or other obligations during your recovery.

Income protection insurance policies typically have a waiting period (also known as an elimination period) during which you do not receive benefits. If you become unable to work before this waiting period ends, you will not receive any income protection benefits until the waiting period has elapsed. It's important to have sufficient savings or other financial resources to cover your expenses during this initial period.

Many income protection insurance policies allow you to increase your coverage amount if your income rises, without the need for additional underwriting or medical examinations. This feature, sometimes called a 'guaranteed insurability option,' ensures that your coverage keeps pace with your increasing income and financial obligations.

The maximum age to purchase critical illness insurance varies depending on the insurer and the specific policy. While some insurers may offer critical illness insurance up to age 70 or beyond, others may have lower age limits. It's essential to check with insurers to determine their age eligibility criteria for purchasing critical illness insurance.

Whether you can get critical illness insurance if you have pre-existing conditions depends on the insurer's underwriting guidelines and the specific medical conditions. Some insurers may offer coverage with exclusions for pre-existing conditions, while others may decline coverage altogether. It's essential to disclose any pre-existing conditions when applying for critical illness insurance and discuss your options with insurers.

While health insurance provides coverage for medical expenses, critical illness insurance offers financial protection for broader expenses associated with a serious illness, such as lost income, household bills, and lifestyle changes. Critical illness insurance complements health insurance by providing additional financial support during a challenging time, ensuring that you can focus on recovery without worrying about financial burdens.

If you don't make a claim on your critical illness insurance during the policy term, you won't receive a benefit payout. However, having critical illness insurance provides peace of mind knowing that you're financially protected if you're diagnosed with a covered critical illness during the policy term. It's a form of financial preparation for unexpected events and offers valuable protection for you and your family.

If you outlive your critical illness insurance policy and don't make a claim for a covered critical illness during the policy term, the coverage will expire, and you won't receive a benefit payout. Critical illness insurance provides financial protection for a specific period, typically until a specified age or policy term, and offers peace of mind knowing that you're prepared for the unexpected.

Yes, many insurers offer optional riders or add-ons that you can add to your critical illness insurance policy for enhanced coverage. Common riders may include waiver of premium, which waives future premium payments if you become disabled, or return of premium, which refunds a portion of your premiums if you don't make a claim during the policy term. It's essential to review available riders with insurers to customise your coverage to meet your specific needs.

To make a claim on your critical illness insurance policy, you'll need to notify your insurer of your diagnosis and submit a claim form along with any required medical documentation, such as medical reports, test results, and physician statements. Once your claim is reviewed and approved by the insurer, you'll receive the lump sum benefit payment, which you can use to cover medical expenses, living costs, or other financial needs during your recovery.

As we age, the likelihood of encountering health complications increases for us all. In the event that you develop a severe medical condition, critical illness protection can assist with the expenses of crucial bills – enabling you to concentrate on recuperation or adjusting to your new health circumstance.

The typical expense of a Critical Illness protection policy will fluctuate based on aspects such as your age and medical background. As per our investigation, you can secure a policy starting from as low as £8 (for a non-smoking 21-year-old individual).

The most prevalent critical illnesses in the UK are cancer, cardiac arrest, and cerebrovascular accident (stroke).

Cancer is one of the primary causes for critical illness insurance claims in the UK. Cancer constitutes over 80% of critical illness cover claims for females and about 45% of critical illness claims for males.



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