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The Unseen Shield

The Unseen Shield 2025 | Top Insurance Guides

Beyond ambition

Why true personal growth and lasting relationships begin with strategically protecting your future, unlocking vital private healthcare, and safeguarding your legacy against life’s inevitable curveballs, especially as health shocks like cancer are set to impact 1 in 2 lives by 2025.

We live in an age of ambition. We meticulously plan our careers, curate our personal brands, and chase milestones with relentless focus. We build businesses, buy homes, and invest in our self-development. Yet, in this forward-looking pursuit of a better life, we often overlook the very foundation upon which it is all built: our health and our ability to earn.

The truth is, the grandest of ambitions can be derailed by a single, unforeseen event. A sudden illness, a serious accident, an unexpected diagnosis. These are not distant possibilities; they are statistical certainties for many. Projections from Cancer Research UK indicate a sobering reality: one in two people in the UK will be diagnosed with some form of cancer during their lifetime. When you pair this with ever-lengthening NHS waiting lists—which stood at a staggering 7.54 million cases in early 2025 according to NHS England data—the vulnerability of our meticulously planned lives becomes starkly apparent.

This isn’t about scaremongering. It’s about empowerment. True freedom, genuine personal growth, and the ability to nurture deep, lasting relationships don't just come from achieving your goals. They come from having the peace of mind that you and your loved ones are protected, no matter what. They come from building an ‘unseen shield’—a strategic financial safety net that works silently in the background, allowing you to live boldly.

This definitive guide will demystify the world of protection insurance. We'll explore how life insurance, critical illness cover, and income protection are not mere expenses, but investments in your future self, your family's security, and your business's resilience. It's time to look beyond ambition and build a fortress of security that allows you to truly thrive.

The Shifting Sands of Modern Life: Why Your 'It Won't Happen to Me' Mindset is Your Biggest Risk

We are conditioned to believe in our own invincibility, especially when we are young and healthy. The daily grind of work, family, and personal goals leaves little room to contemplate the 'what ifs'. But the reality is that the ground beneath our feet is less stable than we imagine.

Consider these facts from the UK landscape in 2025:

  • Savings are Precarious: The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reports that nearly a quarter of UK households have no savings at all, or less than £1,000. For most, an unexpected loss of income for even a single month could trigger a financial crisis.
  • The State Safety Net is Minimal: If you are unable to work due to illness or disability, the support available is modest. The standard rate for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) is around £90.50 per week for a single person over 25. Could your household survive on just over £360 a month?
  • Long-Term Sickness is Common: ONS data reveals that over 2.8 million people in the UK are economically inactive due to long-term sickness, a record high. These aren't just statistics; they are individuals and families whose lives have been fundamentally altered.
  • Mental Health is a Major Factor: The Centre for Mental Health estimates that the economic cost of mental ill health in England alone is over £118 billion a year, with a significant portion attributed to sickness absence and lost productivity.

A Tale of Two Futures: The Story of Mark

Let's imagine Mark, a 40-year-old marketing consultant, self-employed and the primary earner for his family. He has a mortgage, two young children, and a thriving business he built from scratch. He’s the epitome of success.

Future A (Unprotected): Mark suffers a major stroke. He survives, but his recovery is long and arduous, leaving him unable to work for over a year. His savings are exhausted within three months covering the mortgage and bills. His wife has to reduce her working hours to care for him and the children. The family is forced to rely on state benefits and loans from relatives. The stress is immense, impacting his recovery and straining his relationships. His business, deprived of its leader, falters and eventually closes. The dream life he built crumbles.

Future B (Protected): Mark has a comprehensive protection plan. When he has his stroke, his policies kick in.

  1. His Critical Illness Cover pays out a tax-free lump sum. This immediately clears a portion of their mortgage, removing the single biggest monthly pressure. They use some of it to adapt their home for his needs and pay for private physiotherapy to accelerate his recovery, bypassing long waiting lists.
  2. His Income Protection policy starts paying a monthly income after a three-month deferred period. This replaces 60% of his pre-illness earnings, allowing his family to maintain their standard of living without draining their savings or getting into debt.
  3. The pressure is off. Mark can focus entirely on his health. His wife can support him without the crushing financial worry. His business can afford to hire a temporary consultant to keep things running. A year later, Mark is well on the road to recovery, his family is secure, and his business is still intact.

This isn't luck; it's foresight. Mark’s unseen shield transformed a potential catastrophe into a manageable challenge.

Your Personal Armoury: A Plain-English Guide to Life, Critical Illness, and Income Protection

Understanding the tools available to you is the first step towards building your fortress. These three core products form the bedrock of personal financial protection. They each serve a different, vital purpose.

1. Life Insurance: Your Legacy Guardian

Life insurance is the most well-known form of protection. It's a simple contract: you pay regular premiums, and in return, the insurer pays out a tax-free lump sum to your beneficiaries if you pass away during the policy term. It’s designed to replace the financial value you provide to your family.

Who needs it?

  • Anyone with a mortgage.
  • Parents or guardians with dependent children.
  • Individuals with a partner who relies on their income.
  • Business owners wanting to ensure their business can continue.

Key Types of Life Insurance:

Policy TypeHow it WorksBest For
Level TermThe payout amount (sum assured) remains the same throughout the policy term.Covering an interest-only mortgage or providing a set lump sum for your family's future.
Decreasing TermThe payout amount reduces over time, usually in line with a repayment mortgage.The most affordable way to ensure your mortgage is paid off if you die.
Whole of LifeThe policy has no end date and is guaranteed to pay out whenever you die.Covering a future Inheritance Tax bill or leaving a guaranteed legacy.

A smart alternative for families is Family Income Benefit. Instead of a single lump sum, this policy pays out a regular, tax-free monthly or annual income from the point of claim until the policy's end date. This can be easier to manage than a large lump sum and replaces lost income in a more direct way.

2. Critical Illness Cover (CIC): Your Financial First Aid

While life insurance protects your family after you're gone, Critical Illness Cover is designed to protect you and your family while you are living. It pays a tax-free lump sum if you are diagnosed with one of a specific list of serious medical conditions defined in the policy.

The "big three" conditions typically covered are cancer, heart attack, and stroke, which account for the majority of claims. However, modern comprehensive policies can cover over 50 different conditions, including things like multiple sclerosis, major organ transplant, and Parkinson's disease.

This lump sum is yours to use as you wish. It can:

  • Clear or reduce your mortgage.
  • Replace lost income while you recover.
  • Pay for private medical treatment or specialist care.
  • Fund lifestyle changes or home adaptations.
  • Allow your partner to take time off work to support you.

Given that 1 in 2 of us will face a cancer diagnosis, and survival rates are improving, the financial impact of surviving a serious illness is a risk we can no longer afford to ignore.

3. Income Protection (IP): Your Monthly Paycheck Protector

Often described by financial experts as the most essential protection policy of all, Income Protection is the foundation of any financial plan. It’s designed to do one simple thing: replace a portion of your income if you are unable to work due to any illness or injury.

Unlike CIC, which pays a one-off lump sum for a specific condition, IP provides a regular monthly income until you either return to work, the policy term ends, or you pass away. It covers a much wider range of situations, from a bad back preventing a builder from working to stress and anxiety forcing an office worker to take extended leave.

Key Terms to Understand:

  • Benefit Amount: You can typically insure up to 50-70% of your gross pre-incapacity earnings.
  • Deferred Period: This is the waiting period between when you stop working and when the policy starts paying out. It can range from 4 weeks to 52 weeks. The longer the deferred period you choose, the lower your premium will be.
  • Definition of Incapacity: This is crucial. 'Own Occupation' cover is the gold standard – it pays out if you are unable to do your specific job. 'Suited Occupation' and 'Any Occupation' definitions are less comprehensive and should be chosen with caution.

For tradespeople, nurses, electricians and others in more manual or risky jobs, a simplified version called Personal Sick Pay insurance is often available, offering straightforward short-term cover for accident and sickness.

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Putting It All Together: A Quick Comparison

FeatureLife InsuranceCritical Illness CoverIncome Protection
TriggerDeathDiagnosis of a specific serious illnessInability to work due to illness/injury
PayoutOne-off tax-free lump sumOne-off tax-free lump sumRegular tax-free monthly income
PurposeProtects loved ones financially after deathProtects you and your family during recoveryReplaces your lost salary while you can't work
Coverage ScopeOne event: deathA defined list of serious conditionsAny medical condition stopping you from working

Many people choose to combine these covers into a single plan for simplicity and cost-effectiveness. A specialist broker like WeCovr can help you explore the market and find a package that provides comprehensive protection without breaking the bank.

For the Entrepreneurs and Directors: Safeguarding Your Business is Safeguarding Your Life's Work

If you're a company director, business owner, or self-employed professional, your financial risks are amplified. Your personal and professional finances are often deeply intertwined. Protecting your business isn't just a corporate strategy; it's a fundamental part of your personal financial plan.

Standard personal protection is vital, but there are specific, highly tax-efficient solutions designed for the business world.

Key Person Insurance

Who is the most important asset in your business? Is it a star salesperson, a technical genius, or perhaps it's you? Key Person Insurance is a policy taken out by the business on the life or health of a crucial employee. If that person dies or becomes critically ill, the policy pays a lump sum to the business.

This money can be used to:

  • Recruit and train a replacement.
  • Clear business debts or loans.
  • Reassure lenders and investors.
  • Compensate for a projected loss of profits during the disruption.

It's the financial cushion that allows a business to survive the loss of its most valuable asset.

Executive Income Protection

This is a premium version of a personal income protection policy, but it's owned and paid for by your limited company. It's a legitimate business expense, making it highly tax-efficient. It pays a benefit to the company, which can then be paid out to you, the director, via PAYE.

Benefits include:

  • Tax Efficiency: Premiums are typically an allowable business expense.
  • Higher Cover: Often allows for a higher percentage of earnings to be covered compared to personal plans.
  • Attracts Talent: An excellent benefit to offer senior employees.

Relevant Life Cover

For small businesses that don't have a large 'death-in-service' group scheme, a Relevant Life Plan is a game-changer. It's a company-paid life insurance policy for an individual employee or director. The premiums are paid by the business and are generally not treated as a P11D benefit-in-kind. The payout goes directly to the employee's family, tax-free and outside of their estate for inheritance tax purposes. It's the most tax-efficient way for a director to arrange personal life cover.

Protecting Your Legacy: Shareholder and Inheritance Tax Planning

  • Shareholder/Partnership Protection: What happens if you or your business partner dies? Their shares will likely pass to their spouse or family, who may have no interest or ability to run the business. This can lead to paralysis or forced sales. Shareholder Protection uses life insurance policies to provide the surviving partners with the funds to buy the deceased's shares from their estate at a pre-agreed price. It ensures business continuity for you and a fair price for their family.
  • Gift Inter Vivos Insurance: As a successful business owner, you might plan to pass on significant assets or shares to your children during your lifetime. However, if you die within seven years of making this gift, it could be subject to a large Inheritance Tax (IHT) bill. A 'Gift Inter Vivos' policy is a specialised life insurance plan designed to pay out a lump sum that covers this potential tax liability, ensuring your gift reaches its intended recipients in full.

Business Protection at a Glance

Policy TypeWho Pays?Who Benefits?Primary Purpose
Key PersonThe businessThe businessProtects business from loss of key staff.
Executive IPThe businessThe employee (via the business)Tax-efficient income replacement for directors.
Relevant LifeThe businessThe employee's familyTax-efficient death-in-service benefit.
ShareholderThe partners/companyThe surviving partnersFunds a buyout of a deceased partner's shares.

Navigating these options requires expertise. A broker can structure these policies correctly to ensure they are tax-efficient and fit for purpose.

More Than Money: Unlocking Private Healthcare and Wellness with Your Policy

In 2025, a protection policy is no longer just a cheque in a crisis. Insurers have evolved, recognising that the best outcome is to prevent illness or speed up recovery. As a result, most modern policies come bundled with a suite of incredibly valuable "added value" benefits, often available from day one at no extra cost.

These services can be a lifeline, especially when faced with NHS pressures:

  • 24/7 Virtual GP: Skip the 8am scramble for a doctor's appointment. Access a UK-based GP via phone or video call, often within a couple of hours. Get advice, diagnoses for common ailments, and private prescriptions delivered to your door.
  • Second Medical Opinion: If you receive a life-changing diagnosis, the peace of mind that comes from having a world-leading expert review your case is priceless. This service allows you to send your medical notes to a global specialist for their opinion on your diagnosis and treatment plan.
  • Mental Health Support: Many policies now include access to a set number of professional counselling or therapy sessions per year. This can be used for any issue, from work-related stress to bereavement, providing crucial support before a problem escalates.
  • Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation: For musculoskeletal issues—a leading cause of work absence—insurers provide access to triage services and a course of physiotherapy to get you back on your feet faster.
  • Personalised Fitness and Nutrition Plans: Some insurers offer apps and programmes to help you improve your health, often with rewards like cinema tickets or coffee vouchers for hitting activity goals.

At WeCovr, we believe that protection and prevention go hand-in-hand. That’s why, in addition to helping our clients find the perfect insurance policy, we provide them with complimentary access to CalorieHero, our proprietary AI-powered calorie and nutrition tracking app. It's another tool in your wellness arsenal, helping you take proactive control of your health—the very asset you are insuring.

These benefits fundamentally change the value proposition of insurance. You are no longer just buying a promise for the future; you are gaining immediate access to services that can improve your health and wellbeing today.

The Numbers Game: Can You Afford Not to Be Protected?

"It's too expensive" is the most common reason people give for not taking out protection. But this perception is often based on outdated ideas. The real question is: can you afford the alternative?

The cost of protection is highly personalised, based on your age, health, lifestyle (e.g., whether you smoke), occupation, and the amount of cover you need. The key takeaway is that the younger and healthier you are, the cheaper it will be.

The Cost of Waiting: An Illustration

Let's look at an example premium for £250,000 of Level Term Life Insurance and £100,000 of Critical Illness Cover over a 25-year term.

Applicant ProfileIllustrative Monthly PremiumTotal Cost Over 25 Years
Healthy 30-year-old, non-smoker£35£10,500
Healthy 45-year-old, non-smoker£95£28,500
45-year-old, smoker with high BMI£190+£57,000+

These are illustrative figures only. Your premium will depend on your individual circumstances.

Waiting 15 years could almost triple the cost of the same cover. Developing a health condition in the meantime could make it more expensive still, or even impossible to get. The cheapest time to buy protection is always right now.

When you break down the monthly cost, it's often less than other common expenditures:

  • A couple of takeaway pizzas.
  • A family cinema trip.
  • Multiple streaming service subscriptions.
  • A daily cup of coffee from a high-street chain.

Which of these would you sacrifice to guarantee your family could keep their home if you were no longer around? The perspective shift is powerful. The cost of not having cover isn't measured in pounds per month; it's measured in the potential loss of your home, your standard of living, and your family's future.

Building Your Fortress: A Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Covered

Taking the first step is often the hardest part. Here’s a simple, actionable plan to get you from consideration to protected.

Step 1: Assess Your Needs Think about what and who you need to protect. This isn't an emotional exercise, but a practical one.

  • Debts: How much is outstanding on your mortgage and any other loans?
  • Dependants: How much income would your family need to live comfortably until your children are financially independent?
  • Income: How much of your monthly salary do you need to cover your essential outgoings?
  • Future: Are there other goals you want to fund, like university fees?

Step 2: Understand Your Budget Be realistic about what you can afford each month. It's better to have a slightly smaller amount of cover that you can comfortably afford long-term than an expensive policy you might cancel after a few years. An expert broker can work backwards from your budget to find the best possible cover.

Step 3: Gather Your Information To get accurate quotes, you’ll need some basic information to hand:

  • Your personal details (age, height, weight).
  • Details of your occupation.
  • Your medical history, including any past or present conditions and medications.
  • Your family's medical history (parents and siblings).
  • Your lifestyle habits (smoking, alcohol consumption).

Step 4: Speak to an Expert Broker While you can go direct to an insurer or use a comparison site, a specialist broker offers invaluable advantages. An independent broker like WeCovr works for you, not the insurer. We will:

  • Compare policies from across the entire market, not just a limited panel.
  • Help you understand the complex policy definitions (like 'own occupation' cover).
  • Know which insurers are best for certain occupations or pre-existing medical conditions.
  • Assist you with the application form, ensuring it's filled out correctly.
  • Place your policy "in trust" to ensure the payout goes to the right people quickly and free of inheritance tax.

Step 5: Be Completely Honest It is critically important that you disclose everything about your health and lifestyle on your application form. Withholding information, even accidentally, can give the insurer grounds to void your policy and refuse a claim. Honesty is always the best policy.

Step 6: Review Regularly Your protection needs are not static. It’s vital to review your cover every few years or after any major life event:

  • Getting married or divorced.
  • Having a child.
  • Moving home or taking on a bigger mortgage.
  • Changing jobs or getting a significant pay rise.

A quick review ensures your "unseen shield" continues to provide the right level of protection as your life evolves.

Your Future, Fortified

We began by talking about ambition. The drive to build, to achieve, and to create a better life is a powerful force. But true, sustainable success isn’t just about the heights you reach; it’s about the strength of your foundations.

Protecting your future isn't a morbid exercise in planning for disaster. It is the ultimate act of optimism. It's a declaration that you value your life, your health, and your family so much that you are willing to take prudent steps to safeguard them. It's the unseen shield that gives you the confidence to take risks, to chase your dreams, and to invest fully in your relationships, knowing that a safety net is firmly in place.

By understanding your risks and taking strategic action, you transform vulnerability into resilience. You turn financial anxiety into financial freedom. You fortify your future, ensuring that your legacy—whether it's the family you raise, the business you build, or the life you live—is protected against life’s inevitable curveballs. Your ambition deserves nothing less.


Do I need a medical exam to get life insurance?

Generally, for many people, the answer is no. Most insurance policies are approved based on the answers you provide on your application form and, with your permission, a report from your GP. However, if you are applying for a very large amount of cover, are older, or have certain pre-existing medical conditions, the insurer may request a mini-screening with a nurse (including things like blood pressure, height, weight, and a blood or urine sample). This is usually arranged at your convenience and paid for by the insurer.

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

Yes, in many cases you can. It's a common misconception that a past or present health issue means you are uninsurable. The outcome depends on the specific condition, its severity, and how well it is managed. There are three likely outcomes: 1) You are accepted on standard terms. 2) You are accepted but with a 'loading' (an increase on your premium) or an 'exclusion' (the policy won't cover claims related to that specific condition). 3) Your application is declined. This is where an expert broker is vital, as they know which insurers have more favourable underwriting for specific conditions.

Is the payout from life and critical illness insurance taxed?

No. Under current UK rules, the lump sum paid out from a life insurance or critical illness policy is paid free of income tax and capital gains tax. However, for life insurance, if the policy is not written "in trust", the payout could form part of your legal estate and potentially be subject to Inheritance Tax (IHT). Writing a policy in trust is a simple process that a good broker will do for you as standard, and it ensures the money goes directly to your chosen beneficiaries without delay or tax complications.

How do insurers decide whether to pay a claim?

Insurers pay out the vast majority of claims. According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), in 2023, 97.4% of all protection claims were paid, totalling over £6.85 billion. Claims are primarily declined for two reasons: 'non-disclosure' (the applicant failed to provide accurate information about their health or lifestyle when they applied) or the claim does not meet the policy definition (for example, a critical illness claim for a condition that is not one of those covered by the policy). This highlights the importance of being completely honest on your application and understanding the terms of your cover.

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

This is a very important distinction. 'Guaranteed' premiums are fixed at the start of your policy and will not change for the entire term, unless you choose to alter your cover. You know exactly what you will be paying from day one to the end. 'Reviewable' premiums may start off cheaper, but the insurer has the right to review and increase them at set intervals (e.g., every 5 years). These increases can be based on your age or wider claims trends and can become very expensive over time. For most people, guaranteed premiums offer better long-term value and peace of mind.

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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How It Works

1. Complete a brief form
Complete a brief form
2. Our experts analyse your information and find you best quotes
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3. Enjoy your protection!
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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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