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The Unlocked Life

The Unlocked Life 2025 | Top Insurance Guides

Why true personal growth and lasting relationships aren't possible without building a robust financial foundation: Discover how strategic income, health, and life protection, especially for high-risk careers, is the ultimate act of self-care empowering you to thrive without fear, even as projections for 2025 show 1 in 2 UK individuals facing a cancer diagnosis and public health services face unprecedented strain, making private health insurance a vital complement to your journey.

We all aspire to live an 'unlocked life'—a life of purpose, deep connection, and continual personal growth. We dream of pursuing our passions, building businesses, travelling the world, and nurturing relationships that stand the test of time. Yet, for so many of us, these aspirations remain just out of reach, held back by an invisible but powerful barrier: financial anxiety.

The truth is, genuine self-actualisation isn't just about mindset. It's built on a foundation of security. Without a solid financial safety net, our focus is perpetually pulled towards survival. How can you truly explore your potential when a sudden illness could decimate your savings? How can you foster a relationship free from tension when the fear of losing your income hangs over every decision?

This isn't about scaremongering; it's about empowerment. In today's UK, building this foundation is more critical than ever. We face a perfect storm: a healthcare system under immense pressure, with Cancer Research UK projecting that 1 in 2 people in the UK born after 1960 will be diagnosed with some form of cancer in their lifetime. Coupled with economic uncertainty, this reality demands a proactive approach.

Strategic protection—through Income Protection, Critical Illness Cover, Life Insurance, and Private Medical Insurance—is not a reluctant expense. It is the ultimate act of self-care. It's the key that unlocks your potential, freeing you from the 'what ifs' so you can focus on what truly matters. It's the bedrock upon which you can build the life you've always envisioned, for yourself and for those you love.


The Unspoken Barrier to Growth: Why Financial Anxiety Holds You Back

Have you ever felt a knot in your stomach when thinking about your finances? Or put a dream on hold because it felt too risky? This feeling is the direct consequence of living without a robust safety net. It's a state of being that keeps you from reaching your full potential.

The psychologist Abraham Maslow's 'Hierarchy of Needs' provides a powerful framework for understanding this. The theory suggests that humans must satisfy their most basic needs before they can move on to pursue more advanced, 'higher-level' needs.

  1. Physiological Needs: Food, water, shelter, sleep.
  2. Safety Needs: Personal security, employment, resources, health.
  3. Love and Belonging: Friendship, intimacy, family.
  4. Esteem: Respect, self-esteem, status, recognition.
  5. Self-Actualisation: The desire to become the most that one can be.

Financial instability traps you firmly in the bottom two tiers. When you're worried about paying the mortgage if you get sick, or how your family would cope if you were no longer around, your brain is in survival mode. It dedicates its energy to securing your safety, leaving little room for creativity, learning, risk-taking, or the deep introspection required for personal growth.

Consider these scenarios:

  • The Aspiring Entrepreneur: You have a brilliant business idea but remain in a job you dislike because you have no financial cushion to support you through the start-up phase. The fear of losing a steady paycheque paralyses you.
  • The Creative Professional: You want to take a sabbatical to write a book or learn a new skill, but your savings are earmarked for emergencies. There's no 'what if' fund that accounts for long-term illness or injury.
  • The Career Changer: You feel unfulfilled in your current role but can't afford the potential pay cut or retraining costs associated with a new career path.

In each case, the lack of a financial safety net directly prevents self-actualisation. A strategic protection plan acts as that net. Knowing your income is protected, that a critical illness diagnosis comes with a financial payout, and that your family is secure, liberates your mind. It allows you to move up Maslow's hierarchy, transforming fear into freedom and anxiety into ambition.


The Foundation of Strong Relationships: Moving from Surviving to Thriving Together

Financial stress is one of the most common and corrosive forces in a relationship. A 2023 survey by Relate, the UK's leading relationship support charity, found that a quarter of people in relationships felt that 'money worries' were placing a strain on their connection with their partner.

When a couple is in survival mode, conversations about the future are replaced by arguments about bills. Shared dreams are shelved in favour of immediate financial triage. This creates a cycle of blame, resentment, and anxiety that can erode even the strongest bonds.

Now, imagine a different reality. A reality where you and your partner have had an open, honest conversation about the risks you face and have put a plan in place.

  • Income Protection means that if one of you is unable to work due to illness or injury, your shared lifestyle isn't threatened. The mortgage still gets paid, the bills are covered, and you can focus on recovery, not finances.
  • Critical Illness Cover provides a lump sum that can give you both breathing room. It could pay off the mortgage, cover private treatment costs, or simply allow you both to take time off work to support each other without financial pressure.
  • Life Insurance is perhaps the most profound act of love. It's a promise to your partner that, should the worst happen to you, their future and the future of your children will be secure. It removes an unimaginable burden at the most difficult of times.

Building this financial foundation together transforms your relationship. It moves you from a place of individual fear to one of shared security. It's a tangible demonstration of commitment, care, and foresight. It allows you to stop worrying about 'what if' and start planning 'what's next'. This is the space where relationships don't just survive; they thrive.


The 2025 UK Health & Economic Landscape: A Reality Check

To build an effective plan, we must first understand the terrain. The UK in 2025 presents a unique set of challenges that make personal financial protection not just prudent, but essential.

The Sobering Health Challenge

While we are living longer, we are not necessarily living healthier. The statistics paint a stark picture of the health challenges the nation faces.

  • The Cancer Projection: The headline figure from Cancer Research UK is unavoidable. The projection that 1 in 2 people will face a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime is a fundamental shift in public health. This means that a critical illness is no longer a remote possibility but a statistical probability that will affect almost every family.
  • Heart and Circulatory Diseases: The British Heart Foundation reports that around 7.6 million people are living with heart and circulatory diseases in the UK. These conditions, including heart attacks and strokes, remain a leading cause of disability and death.
  • Mental Health: According to NHS Digital's 2023 data, 1 in 5 adults experienced some form of depression or anxiety. A serious mental health condition can be just as debilitating as a physical one, often leading to extended time off work.
Key UK Health Statistics (Projections & Current Data)Source
Lifetime Cancer Risk1 in 2 for people born after 1960
Living with Heart DiseaseApprox. 7.6 million people
New Stroke IncidentsOver 100,000 per year
Adults with Depression/Anxiety1 in 5

These statistics underscore the vital importance of Critical Illness Cover. A diagnosis is emotionally devastating; it shouldn't be financially devastating as well.

A National Health Service Under Unprecedented Strain

The NHS is a national treasure, but it is operating under immense pressure. Decades of underfunding, the backlog from the pandemic, and an ageing population have created significant challenges.

As of early 2025, NHS England's data shows referral-to-treatment waiting lists remain stubbornly high, with millions of people waiting for routine operations and specialist consultations.

What does this mean for you?

  • Delayed Diagnosis: Longer waits to see a specialist can mean a delay in getting a definitive diagnosis for worrying symptoms.
  • Prolonged Treatment Waits: Once diagnosed, you may face a lengthy wait for surgery or other treatments, during which your condition could worsen or your quality of life could decline.
  • Limited Choice: You may have little say over which hospital or specialist you see.

This is where Private Medical Insurance (PMI) becomes a vital complement, not a replacement, to the NHS. PMI gives you control. It offers rapid access to diagnostic tests, specialist consultations, and private treatment, often within weeks rather than months or years. In the context of a serious illness like cancer, this speed can be crucial.

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The Economic Squeeze and the Rise of Insecure Work

The economic climate adds another layer of risk. The persistent cost-of-living crisis means that fewer households have significant savings to fall back on. A 2024 study by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) highlighted that a substantial portion of UK households have less than £1,000 in savings – not enough to cover even one month's expenses if an income were to stop.

Furthermore, the nature of work has changed. The ONS estimates that nearly 5 million people are now self-employed, with millions more working in the 'gig economy'. While offering flexibility, this type of work comes with a major downside: no employer benefits. No sick pay, no death-in-service benefit, no safety net. For these workers, personal protection is not an optional extra; it is the only safety net they have.


Your Financial Armour: A Deep Dive into Modern Protection Insurance

Understanding the risks is the first step. The second is equipping yourself with the right tools. Think of protection insurance as your financial armour, shielding you and your loved ones from life's most challenging blows. Here’s a breakdown of the core components.

Income Protection (IP): Your Monthly Paycheque, Guaranteed

This is arguably the most important insurance policy you can own, because it protects your most valuable asset: your ability to earn an income.

  • What it is: A policy that pays you a regular, tax-free monthly income if you're unable to work due to any illness or injury. This continues until you can return to work, retire, or the policy term ends.
  • Who needs it: Everyone who earns an income. It's especially critical for the self-employed, freelancers, and those in high-risk jobs who have no access to generous employer sick pay schemes.
  • Key Features:
    • Deferment Period: The time you wait between being signed off work and when the payments start. This can be tailored from 4 weeks to 12 months to match your savings or employer's sick pay period. A longer deferment period means a lower premium.
    • 'Own Occupation' Cover: This is the gold standard. It means the policy will pay out if you are unable to do your specific job. Cheaper policies might only pay if you can't do any job, which offers far less protection.

Let's compare it to the statutory minimum:

FeatureIncome Protection (Typical Policy)Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)
Benefit Amount50-70% of your gross salary£116.75 per week (2024/25 rate)
Payment DurationUntil you return to work or retireMaximum of 28 weeks
CoversAny illness or injury preventing workAs above, but paid by employer
Tax StatusPayouts are tax-freePayouts are taxable

The difference is stark. SSP is a short-term solution that barely covers basic necessities. Income Protection provides long-term, meaningful security.

Critical Illness Cover (CIC): Financial Breathing Room When It Matters Most

While IP replaces your income, CIC provides a one-off, tax-free lump sum if you are diagnosed with a specific serious illness defined in the policy.

  • What it is: A policy designed to alleviate financial pressure during a period of major health trauma.
  • How it's used: The money is yours to use as you see fit. Common uses include:
    • Paying off your mortgage or other debts.
    • Covering private treatment costs not available on the NHS.
    • Adapting your home (e.g., installing a ramp).
    • Allowing a partner to take time off work to care for you.
    • Simply replacing lost income for a period of recovery.
  • Conditions Covered: Policies typically cover dozens of conditions, with the most common claims being for cancer, heart attack, and stroke. It's crucial to check the policy definitions to understand exactly what is covered.

Life Insurance: A Lasting Act of Love

Life insurance pays out a lump sum or regular income upon your death, providing financial security for those you leave behind.

  • Who needs it: Anyone with dependents (a partner, children) or significant debts (a mortgage) that would fall to others.
  • Types of Cover:
    • Term Assurance: The most common and affordable type. It covers you for a fixed period (e.g., the length of your mortgage). If you die within that term, it pays out.
    • Whole of Life: This policy guarantees a payout whenever you die, as long as you keep paying the premiums. It's often used for Inheritance Tax planning.
    • Family Income Benefit: A brilliant and often overlooked alternative. Instead of a large lump sum, it pays out a smaller, regular, tax-free income from the point of claim until the end of the policy term. This can be easier for a family to manage and is often more affordable than a large lump-sum policy.
Life Insurance TypeBest ForKey Feature
Level Term AssuranceCovering an interest-only mortgage or providing a family lump sum.Payout amount remains the same throughout the term.
Decreasing Term AssuranceCovering a repayment mortgage.Payout amount reduces over time, in line with your mortgage.
Family Income BenefitProviding a replacement income for your family.Pays a regular monthly income instead of a lump sum.
Whole of LifeInheritance Tax planning or guaranteed legacy.Covers you for your entire life.

Private Medical Insurance (PMI): Taking Control of Your Healthcare

As discussed, PMI is the key to bypassing NHS waiting lists and gaining control over your health journey.

  • What it offers:
    • Speed: Fast access to specialists and diagnostic scans (MRI, CT).
    • Choice: Choose your surgeon, hospital, and appointment times.
    • Comfort: Private rooms, better facilities, and more flexible visiting hours.
    • Advanced Treatments: Access to drugs and therapies that may not yet be approved for NHS use due to cost.

PMI is not about replacing the NHS, which remains world-class for emergency and acute care. It's about having a choice for elective and diagnostic procedures, giving you peace of mind and potentially leading to better, faster outcomes.


Tailored Protection for Your Unique Path: Solutions for Every Career

A one-size-fits-all approach to protection simply doesn't work. Your career, lifestyle, and business structure dictate the specific risks you face and the solutions you need.

For the Self-Employed & Freelancers

You are your business. If you can't work, your income stops instantly.

  • The Imperative: Income Protection is non-negotiable. It is your sick pay, your safety net, and the only thing that will keep your personal and business finances afloat if you're off work for months.
  • The Support: Critical Illness Cover provides a vital cash injection. For a freelancer, this could mean being able to turn down work for a year to recover fully, without the fear of going into debt.
  • The Tip: Look for policies with 'own occupation' cover and consider a shorter deferment period (e.g., 4 or 8 weeks) as you likely have limited business savings to fall back on.

For Tradespeople & High-Risk Roles (Nurses, Electricians, Construction)

Your work is physically demanding, and the risk of injury is statistically higher. An injury that might be an inconvenience for an office worker could be career-ending for you.

  • The Priority: Robust Income Protection is essential. Many in trades search for 'Personal Sick Pay' insurance, which is exactly what IP provides. Again, 'own occupation' cover is critical. A policy that only pays if you can't do 'any' job is of little use to a plasterer with a serious shoulder injury.
  • The Back-up: Consider policies that include Fracture Cover or other injury-specific benefits that can pay out smaller lump sums for less severe (but still work-stopping) incidents.

For Company Directors & Business Owners

Your health is intrinsically linked to the health of your business. You need to protect both. Fortunately, there are highly tax-efficient ways to do this through your limited company.

  • Key Person Insurance: What would happen to your business if your top salesperson, lead developer, or you yourself were unable to work? Key Person Insurance is taken out by the business to protect itself against the financial loss (lost profits, recruitment costs) resulting from the death or critical illness of a vital employee. The business pays the premiums and receives the payout.
  • Relevant Life Cover: This is a company-paid death-in-service policy for an individual director or employee. The premiums are typically an allowable business expense, and the benefits are paid tax-free to the employee's family, without counting towards their lifetime pension allowance. It's a hugely tax-efficient way to provide life cover.
  • Executive Income Protection: Similar to a personal IP policy, but it's paid for by the business. Again, the premiums are usually a tax-deductible expense for the company, making it a more efficient way for a director to secure their income than paying for it from their post-tax personal income.
Business ProtectionWho is it for?What does it do?Tax Treatment
Key PersonThe BusinessProtects against loss of a key employeePremiums often a business expense
Relevant LifeThe Employee's FamilyProvides tax-free death-in-service benefitPremiums a business expense; benefits not part of pension allowance
Executive IPThe Director/EmployeeProvides a replacement income via the companyPremiums often a business expense

Advanced Strategies: Securing Your Legacy and Gifts

For those who have built significant assets, planning extends beyond immediate protection to ensuring your wealth is passed on efficiently.

Gift Inter Vivos Insurance: Protecting Your Gifts from Inheritance Tax

Inheritance Tax (IHT) is a complex area. One of the key rules relates to gifts you make during your lifetime. If you give away an asset (cash, property) and die within seven years, that gift may still be considered part of your estate for IHT purposes. This can create an unexpected tax bill for the person who received your gift.

Gift Inter Vivos insurance is a specific type of life insurance policy designed to solve this problem.

  • How it works: You take out a life insurance policy for the potential IHT liability on the gift. The policy's value decreases over the seven-year period, mirroring the tapering relief offered by HMRC on gifts. If you pass away within the seven years, the policy pays out to cover the tax bill, ensuring the recipient gets the full value of the gift as you intended.

This is a niche but powerful tool for effective estate planning.


More Than Money: The Ultimate Act of Self-Care and Wellness

It's time to reframe our view of insurance. It is not a product born of fear, but a tool that enables a life of courage, exploration, and well-being. Knowing you are protected gives you the psychological freedom to live more fully.

This philosophy is now being embraced by the insurance industry itself. Many modern policies include integrated wellness programmes that actively reward you for living a healthier life. These can include:

  • Discounted gym memberships.
  • Free health screenings.
  • Points and rewards for hitting activity goals.
  • Access to virtual GP services and mental health support.

This creates a virtuous circle: you take steps to improve your health, which reduces your risk of making a claim, and the insurer rewards you with lower premiums and valuable benefits.

At WeCovr, we believe deeply in this holistic approach. It’s why, in addition to helping our clients find the perfect protection plan, we provide them with complimentary access to CalorieHero, our AI-powered calorie and nutrition tracking app. We know that empowering our clients with tools to manage their health is just as important as providing a financial safety net. It’s about supporting your complete well-being, today and tomorrow.


How to Build Your Financial Foundation: A Practical Guide

Feeling motivated? Here are the simple steps to take control and build your own financial armour.

  1. Assess Your Situation: Get a clear picture of your finances. What is your monthly income? What are your essential outgoings (mortgage/rent, bills, food)? How much do you have in savings? Who depends on you financially?
  2. Understand Your Risks: What is your employer's sick pay policy? Are you self-employed? Is your job high-risk? Do you have a family history of certain health conditions? Be honest about your vulnerabilities.
  3. Explore Your Options: This is where it can get complex. The market is filled with different providers, policy types, and definitions. Trying to navigate this alone can be overwhelming. This is where an independent specialist broker adds immense value. At WeCovr, our role is to understand your unique situation and search the entire market on your behalf. We compare plans from all the UK's leading insurers to find the policy that offers the right level of cover, with the right features, at the most competitive price. We handle the complexity so you can make a clear, confident decision.
  4. Implement and Review: Don't put it off. The best time to get insurance is when you are young and healthy, as premiums will be at their lowest. Once your policies are in place, set a calendar reminder to review them every few years, or after any major life event like getting married, having a child, or changing jobs. Your protection needs to evolve as your life does.

Building a robust financial foundation is the single most powerful step you can take towards unlocking your true potential. It's an investment not just in your finances, but in your freedom, your relationships, and your future. It's the ultimate act of self-care, allowing you to stop worrying and start living.

Do I really need income protection if I have savings?

Generally, yes. Savings are a crucial buffer, but they are finite. The average claim on an income protection policy for a serious condition can last for several years. Most people's savings would be exhausted long before then. Income Protection is designed for long-term absence from work and pays out a regular income until you can return or retire, providing security that savings alone cannot. Think of savings as your short-term solution and IP as your long-term guarantee.

Is private medical insurance worth it with the free NHS?

This is a personal decision, but for many, the answer is increasingly yes. The NHS is exceptional for emergency care, but current waiting lists for diagnostics and elective treatments can be extensive. Private Medical Insurance (PMI) acts as a complement to the NHS. It provides rapid access to specialists, tests, and treatment, giving you choice, speed, and peace of mind. For conditions where early diagnosis and treatment are critical, this can be invaluable.

I'm young and healthy, why do I need critical illness cover now?

There are two key reasons. Firstly, critical illnesses can sadly strike at any age. Secondly, and most importantly from a financial perspective, your age and health are the biggest factors in determining your premium. The younger and healthier you are when you take out a policy, the cheaper your premiums will be. By locking in a low premium now, you secure that rate for the entire term of the policy, protecting you against future health changes and saving you a significant amount of money over the long term.

What's the difference between a financial adviser and an insurance broker like WeCovr?

A financial adviser typically offers broad advice across investments, pensions, and protection. An insurance broker, like us at WeCovr, is a specialist focused purely on the protection market (life, critical illness, income protection, etc.). We use our deep expertise and market knowledge to compare products from a wide range of insurers to find the most suitable and cost-effective cover for your specific needs. We are experts in one field, ensuring you get dedicated, specialist guidance.

How does my occupation affect my insurance premiums?

Your occupation is a key factor, particularly for Income Protection. Insurers classify jobs based on risk. An office-based administrative role is considered low-risk, while a roofer or deep-sea diver is high-risk. A higher-risk job generally means a higher premium because the statistical likelihood of an injury-related claim is greater. It's crucial to be completely honest about your occupation and duties to ensure your policy is valid. An expert broker can help find insurers who specialise in or offer favourable terms for your specific profession.

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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