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The Unseen Shield: Future-Proofing Your Personal Evolution

The Unseen Shield: Future-Proofing Your Personal Evolution

As 2025 approaches, with forecasts like 1 in 2 people in the UK facing a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime, true personal development demands more than aspiration; it requires proactive protection. Discover how strategies like Income Protection, Family Income Benefit, Life and Critical Illness Cover, and tailored Personal Sick Pay for crucial roles like tradespeople, nurses, and electricians, form the invisible backbone of your aspirations. Learn how private health insurance offers rapid access to care and specialist treatment, complementing NHS provision, and explore how solutions like Life Protection and Gift Inter Vivos provide a vital financial cushion on death. This is not just about insurance; it’s about empowering choice, nurturing relationships, and securing the freedom to live your fullest life, no matter what tomorrow brings.

The pursuit of personal evolution—climbing the career ladder, launching a business, raising a family, or simply becoming a better version of yourself—is a journey of ambition and optimism. We set goals, create vision boards, and invest in courses and coaches. Yet, we often overlook the most fundamental element of this journey: the foundation upon which all our aspirations are built. This foundation is our health and our ability to earn an income.

Without a robust safety net, an unexpected illness or injury can do more than just pause our progress; it can derail our entire lives, turning dreams into financial burdens. This is the unseen shield: a comprehensive strategy of personal and financial protection that works silently in the background, ensuring that no matter what life throws your way, you retain control, choice, and the freedom to continue your evolution.

This guide will demystify the world of protection insurance, moving beyond jargon to reveal how these tools can become the most powerful enablers of your life's ambitions.

The New Landscape of Personal Risk in the UK

To future-proof your life, you must first understand the landscape of risks we all face. While we are living longer than ever, we are also facing a growing burden of long-term health conditions. The statistics paint a stark picture, not to cause fear, but to empower proactive planning.

The Reality of Modern Health Challenges:

  • Cancer: The widely cited forecast from Cancer Research UK projects that 1 in 2 people born after 1960 in the UK will be diagnosed with some form of cancer during their lifetime. While survival rates are continuously improving, treatment and recovery can be a long and financially draining process.
  • Cardiovascular Disease: The British Heart Foundation reports that around 7.6 million people in the UK live with heart and circulatory diseases. A sudden event like a heart attack or stroke can instantly remove you from the workforce for months, if not permanently.
  • Musculoskeletal Issues: According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), musculoskeletal problems, such as back and neck pain, are a leading cause of long-term sickness absence, affecting millions and having a significant impact on physical professions.
  • Mental Health: Data from NHS Digital shows that 1 in 4 adults in England experiences a mental illness. Conditions like stress, depression, and anxiety are a major reason for people being unable to work, with long-term sickness absence due to these conditions on the rise.

The financial fallout from a health crisis can be devastating. Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) in the UK stands at a modest £116.75 per week for up to 28 weeks (2024/25 rate). For most households, this is not nearly enough to cover essential outgoings like a mortgage, rent, bills, and food. This is where the concept of an "unseen shield" becomes critically important.

Income Protection: Your Monthly Salary's Bodyguard

If your ability to earn an income is your greatest asset, then Income Protection (IP) is its most essential bodyguard. It's arguably the cornerstone of any financial plan.

What is Income Protection?

Income Protection is an insurance policy designed to replace a significant portion of your lost earnings if you are unable to work due to any illness or injury. It pays out a regular, tax-free monthly sum until you can return to work, reach retirement age, or the policy term ends, whichever comes first.

Unlike Critical Illness Cover, which pays a one-off lump sum for a specific condition, IP provides a continuous income stream for potentially many years, protecting your entire lifestyle.

How Does It Work? The Key Components:

  • Benefit Amount: You can typically cover between 50% and 70% of your gross annual income. This is designed to replace your take-home pay without disincentivising a return to work.
  • 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 monthly premium will be. A common strategy is to align your deferred period with any sick pay you receive from your employer.
  • Policy Term: This is the length of time you are covered for. Ideally, this should run until your planned retirement age, ensuring you are protected for your entire working life.
  • Definition of Incapacity: This is a crucial detail. 'Own Occupation' cover is the most comprehensive definition, meaning the policy will pay out if you are unable to perform your specific job. Other definitions, like 'Suited Occupation' or 'Any Occupation', are less generous and should be scrutinised carefully.
FeatureDescriptionWhy It Matters
Benefit AmountA percentage of your gross salary (e.g., 60%).Ensures your essential monthly outgoings are covered without a drastic change in lifestyle.
Deferred PeriodThe waiting time before payments begin (e.g., 4, 13, 26, 52 weeks).Aligning this with your employer sick pay or savings can significantly reduce your premium.
Payment TermHow long the policy pays out for (e.g., 2 years, 5 years, or until retirement).'Until retirement' provides the most robust protection against a long-term or permanent inability to work.
Incapacity DefinitionThe criteria for a claim ('Own', 'Suited', or 'Any' Occupation).'Own Occupation' is the gold standard, protecting your career-specific income.

A Real-Life Scenario:

Sarah, a 35-year-old graphic designer earning £50,000 a year, takes out an Income Protection policy. She chooses to cover 60% of her income (£30,000/year, or £2,500/month) with a 13-week deferred period, to match her employer's full sick pay period.

Two years later, she develops a serious back condition that requires surgery and a long recovery, preventing her from sitting at a desk for extended periods. After her 13-week sick pay ends, her IP policy kicks in, paying her £2,500 every month. This money allows her to continue paying her mortgage, bills, and living costs without stress, enabling her to focus fully on her recovery. The payments continue for 18 months until she is well enough to return to work part-time.

Personal Sick Pay: Tailored Cover for Hands-On Professions

For those in riskier jobs like tradespeople, nurses, electricians, or delivery drivers, standard Income Protection is vital, but some insurers offer a simplified version often called Personal Sick Pay. These policies are often easier to apply for and are specifically designed for those in manual or higher-risk roles. They typically offer shorter payment terms (e.g., 1 or 2 years per claim) but provide an essential cushion for the most common causes of absence, like injuries and musculoskeletal problems.

For the Self-Employed and Business Owners: Bespoke Protection Strategies

When you are the business, your health is the business. Freelancers, contractors, and company directors lack the safety net of an employer, making personal protection non-negotiable.

Income Protection for the Self-Employed:

For a sole trader or freelancer, a standard Income Protection policy is a lifeline. Without it, illness means income drops to zero overnight, while business and personal expenses continue. When applying, insurers will typically look at your last 1-3 years of net profit or earnings to determine the level of cover you can get. Meticulous record-keeping is your best friend here.

Executive Income Protection for Company Directors:

This is a powerful and tax-efficient alternative for directors of limited companies.

  • How it works: The company takes out and pays for an Income Protection policy on its director.
  • The benefits:
    • The monthly premiums are usually considered an allowable business expense, making them tax-deductible against corporation tax.
    • It allows for a higher level of cover, often up to 80% of the individual's gross earnings (including salary and dividends).
    • If a claim is made, the benefit is paid to the company, which then distributes it to the director through the payroll (PAYE) system.

This is a highly efficient way to protect a key individual while being tax-smart.

Key Person Insurance: Protecting the Heart of Your Business

What happens to your business if your top salesperson, genius developer, or you yourself are suddenly unable to work? Key Person Insurance is designed to protect the business itself from the financial impact of losing a crucial member of the team.

  • How it works: The business pays the premiums for a Life and/or Critical Illness policy on a 'key person'.
  • The payout: If that person dies or is diagnosed with a specified critical illness, the policy pays a lump sum directly to the business.
  • What it covers: This money can be used to recruit a replacement, cover lost profits during the disruption, reassure lenders and investors, or, in a worst-case scenario, wind down the business in an orderly fashion.

For any small or medium-sized enterprise, the loss of one or two individuals can be catastrophic. Key Person Insurance is the shield that protects the entity you've worked so hard to build.

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Critical Illness Cover: A Financial Cushion When You Need It Most

A serious illness diagnosis is emotionally devastating. The last thing you and your family need is the added burden of financial worry. Critical Illness Cover (CIC) is designed to provide a single, tax-free lump sum of money upon the diagnosis of a specified serious condition.

How is CIC Different from Income Protection?

Think of it this way: Income Protection is for your bills; Critical Illness Cover is for your life. While IP replaces your monthly income, CIC provides a large injection of capital that gives you options and breathing space.

  • Income Protection: Pays a monthly income to cover living costs.
  • Critical Illness Cover: Pays a one-off lump sum for a wider range of uses.

The two policies work brilliantly together, covering different financial needs.

What Does It Cover?

Policies vary, but most will cover a core set of conditions, including:

  • Most types of cancer
  • Heart attack
  • Stroke
  • Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
  • Parkinson's disease
  • Major organ transplant
  • Kidney failure

Many comprehensive policies now cover 50, or even over 100, specified conditions. It's vital to read the policy documents to understand the definitions. For example, some early-stage cancers may result in a partial payment rather than the full sum assured. This is where an expert broker like WeCovr can be invaluable, helping you compare the nuances between different insurers' definitions to find the most comprehensive cover.

How Can the Payout Be Used?

The power of a CIC payout lies in its flexibility. You have complete control over how the money is used.

Potential Use of CIC PayoutHow It Helps You Evolve
Pay off your mortgageRemoves your single biggest monthly expense, freeing up cash flow indefinitely.
Fund private medical treatmentAccess to specialist drugs or therapies not available on the NHS, potentially speeding recovery.
Adapt your homeInstall a ramp, stairlift, or wet room to maintain independence and quality of life.
Replace lost incomeFor you or a partner who takes time off work to care for you.
Take a recuperative holidayFocus on recovery and creating positive memories with your family after a difficult period.
Fund a change in careerRetrain for a less stressful or physically demanding job that aligns with your new reality.

Life Insurance: The Cornerstone of Legacy and Family Security

Life insurance is perhaps the most well-known form of protection, but it's often misunderstood. It's not about profiting from death; it's about delivering on a promise to protect the people you love from financial hardship when you're no longer there.

There are several different types, each suited to a specific need.

1. Decreasing Term Assurance (DTA)

This is the simplest and most affordable form of life cover. The amount of cover decreases over the policy term, designed to run alongside a repayment mortgage. As you pay off your mortgage, the amount of cover reduces to match the outstanding loan. Its sole purpose is to ensure your family can pay off the mortgage and remain in their home.

2. Level Term Assurance (LTA)

With LTA, the payout amount remains fixed throughout the policy term. For example, a £250,000 policy will pay out £250,000 whether you pass away in year 1 or year 20. This is ideal for:

  • Covering an interest-only mortgage.
  • Providing a lump sum for your family to invest and live off.
  • Covering general living costs, childcare, and future education expenses.

3. Family Income Benefit (FIB)

This is a clever and often overlooked alternative to a traditional lump-sum policy. Instead of paying out a single large amount, Family Income Benefit pays your family a regular, tax-free monthly or annual income for the remainder of the policy term.

Why is FIB so powerful?

  • Budgeting Made Easy: It can be much easier for a grieving family to manage a regular income than to suddenly have to invest and manage a large lump sum.
  • Cost-Effective: Because the insurer's total potential payout reduces over time, FIB is often more affordable than an equivalent Level Term policy.
  • Direct Replacement of Income: It directly mirrors the monthly salary you were bringing in, making the financial transition smoother for your loved ones.

Example: Mark, 40, takes out a 25-year FIB policy to provide £3,000 a month. If he passes away 5 years into the policy, his family will receive £3,000 every month for the remaining 20 years, providing them with a total of £720,000 in a manageable, steady stream.

Advanced Planning: Securing Your Estate and Legacy

For those with significant assets, planning extends beyond immediate family needs to encompass estate preservation and Inheritance Tax (IHT).

Life Protection (Whole of Life Cover)

Unlike term insurance, which only covers you for a fixed period, a Whole of Life policy guarantees a payout whenever you pass away, as long as you keep up with the premiums. Its primary use is for estate planning. The payout can be written 'in trust' to fall outside your estate, providing your beneficiaries with a readily available sum of money to pay any Inheritance Tax bill due. This prevents them from having to sell family assets, such as the home, to settle the bill with HMRC.

Gift Inter Vivos Insurance

"Gift Inter Vivos" is Latin for a "gift between the living." In the UK, if you gift a large sum of money or an asset and pass away within seven years, that gift may still be considered part of your estate for IHT purposes (this is known as the 7-year rule).

A Gift Inter Vivos policy is a specialised form of life insurance designed to cover this potential tax liability. It's a decreasing term policy where the cover amount reduces over seven years, mirroring the tapering relief offered by HMRC on the gift. It gives you the freedom to pass on wealth to your loved ones during your lifetime with the peace of mind that they won't be hit with an unexpected tax bill.

Beyond Financial Protection: Accelerating Your Health and Wellbeing

True future-proofing isn't just about defence; it's also about offence. This means taking proactive steps to improve your health, which can lead to a more vibrant life and, in many cases, lower insurance premiums.

The Role of Private Medical Insurance (PMI)

While the NHS provides incredible care, it is under undeniable pressure. Waiting lists for consultations, diagnostics, and elective surgeries can be long. Private Medical Insurance is a policy that works alongside the NHS to give you faster access to private healthcare.

Key Benefits of PMI:

  • Speed: Quickly see a specialist and get diagnostic tests like MRI and CT scans, often within days or weeks.
  • Choice: Choose the specialist, consultant, and hospital for your treatment.
  • Comfort: Benefit from a private room, more flexible visiting hours, and other amenities.
  • Access to Treatment: Gain access to certain drugs, treatments, or procedures that may not be routinely available on the NHS.

For personal development, the benefit is clear: a faster diagnosis and treatment plan means a quicker recovery, less time off work, and a swifter return to your goals and ambitions.

At WeCovr, we believe that proactive health management is a key part of your overall protection strategy. That's why we're proud to offer our customers complimentary access to CalorieHero, our exclusive AI-powered calorie and nutrition tracking app. By helping you make informed decisions about your diet, we empower you to take control of a crucial aspect of your long-term health, complementing the financial security provided by your insurance policies.

Building Your Unseen Shield: A Practical Step-by-Step Guide

Feeling overwhelmed? That's normal. Building a comprehensive protection plan is a process, but it can be broken down into simple, manageable steps.

Step 1: Assess Your Reality Get a clear picture of your financial life. Ask yourself:

  • What are my total monthly outgoings (mortgage/rent, utilities, food, transport, debt repayments)?
  • How much savings do I have, and how long would they last?
  • What sick pay does my employer offer, and for how long? (If you're self-employed, the answer is zero).
  • Who depends on me financially? (Partner, children, ageing parents).

Step 2: Understand the Core Products Remind yourself of the main purpose of each policy:

  • Income Protection: Replaces your salary if you can't work. It's your foundation.
  • Critical Illness Cover: Provides a lump sum to give you options after a serious diagnosis.
  • Life Insurance: Protects your loved ones from the financial impact of your death.

Step 3: Prioritise Your Protection If you have a limited budget, you can't do everything at once. A common hierarchy of importance is:

  1. Income Protection: Protecting your income is paramount, as it underpins everything else.
  2. Life and/or Critical Illness Cover: The choice depends on your circumstances. If you have dependents and a mortgage, a combination is ideal.
  3. Private Medical Insurance: A valuable addition for faster treatment if your budget allows.

Step 4: Seek Independent, Expert Advice You wouldn't perform surgery on yourself, so why navigate the complexities of insurance alone? An independent broker is your expert guide. At WeCovr, we don't work for one insurer; we work for you. We search the entire market, comparing policies from all the major UK providers to find the cover that is right for your unique needs, health, and budget. We translate the jargon and highlight the crucial differences in policy definitions, ensuring you get the best possible protection.

Step 5: Review and Adapt Your protection plan is not a "set and forget" document. Life's milestones are your cue to review your cover:

  • Getting married or entering a civil partnership.
  • Buying a new home or increasing your mortgage.
  • Having children.
  • Changing jobs or getting a significant pay rise.
  • Starting a business.

A quick review every few years ensures your unseen shield continues to fit your evolving life.

The Proactive Mindset: Integrating Wellness into Your Daily Life

Your insurance provides the cure, but your lifestyle provides the prevention. Embracing a proactive approach to wellness not only enriches your life but can also positively impact your insurance.

  • Nourish Your Body: A balanced diet rich in whole foods, fruits, and vegetables is proven to reduce the risk of many conditions covered by critical illness policies. Using a tool like the CalorieHero app can make tracking your nutrition simple and insightful.
  • Move Every Day: The NHS recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity a week. This doesn't have to mean the gym; brisk walking, cycling, or even vigorous gardening all count. Regular activity is a powerful tool against heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and even some cancers.
  • Prioritise Sleep: Consistent, quality sleep (7-9 hours for most adults) is fundamental to physical repair, cognitive function, and mental resilience. Poor sleep is linked to a host of health problems.
  • Manage Stress: Chronic stress is a silent enemy. Incorporate stress-management techniques into your life, whether it's mindfulness, yoga, spending time in nature, or engaging in hobbies that bring you joy.

A healthy lifestyle may lead to lower premiums and reduce your chances of ever needing to claim. But the shield is there precisely for the moments you can't control, providing a safety net for the unexpected.

Conclusion: Protection as Empowerment

In the grand narrative of your personal evolution, protection insurance isn't a footnote; it's the invisible ink that guarantees the story continues. It is the unseen shield that allows you to be bold, to take calculated risks, and to build the life you dream of, secure in the knowledge that you have a robust plan for the unpredictable.

It transforms "what if" from a source of anxiety into a question you have already answered.

  • What if I get sick? My income is protected.
  • What if I'm diagnosed with a serious illness? I have a lump sum to give me choices.
  • What if I'm no longer here? My family's financial future is secure.

Future-proofing your personal evolution is not about dwelling on the negative. It is the ultimate act of optimism. It's a declaration that your goals, your relationships, and your family's wellbeing are so important that you are willing to build a fortress to protect them. This is the new personal development—a holistic strategy that nurtures aspiration and insulates it with pragmatic, powerful protection.

Isn't Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) enough?

Generally, no. The UK's Statutory Sick Pay is £116.75 per week (2024/25 rate) and is only paid for a maximum of 28 weeks. For the vast majority of people, this is not enough to cover their mortgage or rent, household bills, and other essential living costs. Income Protection is designed to bridge this significant financial gap.

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

Yes, it is often still possible. When you apply, you must disclose all pre-existing conditions. The insurer will then decide on the appropriate course of action. They might offer cover on standard terms, charge a higher premium, or place an 'exclusion' on the policy, meaning you cannot claim for issues related to that specific condition. An expert broker can help you find the insurer most likely to offer favourable terms for your condition.

What's the difference between Income Protection and Critical Illness Cover again?

They serve different purposes and work well together. Income Protection pays a regular monthly income to replace your salary if any illness or injury stops you from working. Critical Illness Cover pays a one-off, tax-free lump sum if you are diagnosed with one of the specific serious conditions listed in the policy. Think of IP as covering your monthly bills and CIC as providing a capital sum for larger costs, like paying off a mortgage or funding treatment.

I'm young and healthy, do I really need this?

This is the best time to get cover. Premiums are based on your age and health at the time of application. The younger and healthier you are, the cheaper your premiums will be, and you can lock in that low price for the entire policy term. Illness and injury can happen at any age, and the financial impact can be even more severe when you haven't had decades to build up significant savings.

How much does protection insurance cost?

The cost varies widely depending on the type of cover, the amount of benefit, your age, your health, your lifestyle (e.g., whether you smoke), and your occupation. A policy for a young, healthy non-smoker in a low-risk office job will be very affordable. The key is that the cost of the premiums will always be a small fraction of the financial devastation you would face without cover.

Why should I use a broker like WeCovr instead of going direct to an insurer?

Using an independent broker like WeCovr has several key advantages. We are not tied to any single insurer, so we can search the whole market to find the best policy for you. We provide expert, impartial advice to help you understand complex policy details and definitions. We handle the application process for you and can even help at the point of a claim. Crucially, this service doesn't cost you anything extra; we are paid a commission by the insurer you choose. It provides you with choice, expertise, and support at no additional cost.

Related guides

Why life insurance and how does it work?

What is Life Insurance?

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

How does it work?

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

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

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

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

Questions to ask yourself regarding life insurance

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

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

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

Benefits offered by income protection, life and critical illness insurance

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Types of life insurance policies

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Important Fact!

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

Why is it important to get life insurance early?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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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