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The Unseen Shield: Growth in Uncertainty

The Unseen Shield: Growth in Uncertainty 2026

Beyond the Horizon: How Proactive Health and Financial Shields Transform Life's Unpredictability into Your Ultimate Growth Accelerator. With health projections for 2025 indicating a 1 in 2 lifetime cancer diagnosis risk, discover how tailored protection – from Income Protection for tradespeople and nurses, Critical Illness Cover, and Family Income Benefit, to Private Health Insurance that fast-tracks your recovery and choice – empowers you to build resilience, secure your legacy, and pursue personal development without fear, even when the unexpected strikes.

Life is inherently unpredictable. We plan our careers, save for holidays, and map out our children's futures, but the one constant is the potential for the unexpected. For many, this uncertainty breeds anxiety, a quiet fear that a sudden illness or injury could derail everything. But what if we could reframe this? What if, instead of a source of fear, uncertainty could become the very foundation for our greatest growth?

This isn't just wishful thinking. By creating a proactive, robust shield of health and financial protection, you fundamentally change your relationship with risk. You transform it from a threat that holds you back into a manageable variable that you have planned for. This psychological and financial freedom is the ultimate accelerator, empowering you to take the calculated risks necessary for personal and professional advancement.

The need for this shield has never been more acute. Sobering projections from Cancer Research UK now indicate that 1 in 2 people in the UK will be diagnosed with some form of cancer in their lifetime. When you combine this with the rising prevalence of mental health conditions and cardiovascular disease, the landscape becomes clear. Waiting for a crisis to strike is a strategy doomed to fail.

This guide will illuminate the path forward. We'll explore how tailored protection – from the income safety net for a self-employed electrician to the fast-tracked medical care provided by private health insurance – isn’t just about survival. It's about building a platform of security from which you can thrive, innovate, and live your life to its fullest potential, no matter what lies beyond the horizon.

The New Reality: Navigating a Landscape of Increased Risk

The world we live in is not the same one our parents navigated. While medical science has made incredible leaps, our lifestyles and longer lifespans present a new set of challenges. Understanding this new reality is the first step toward building effective resilience.

The Statistical Backdrop

It's easy to dismiss risk with an "it won't happen to me" mindset. The data, however, tells a different story.

  • The Cancer Challenge: As highlighted, Cancer Research UK's landmark projection that 1 in 2 of us will face a cancer diagnosis is a critical call to action. While survival rates are improving, treatment can be a long, arduous, and financially draining journey.
  • The Heart of the Matter: The British Heart Foundation reports that around 7.6 million people in the UK are living 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.
  • The Mental Health Crisis: According to the NHS, 1 in 4 adults in the UK experience at least one diagnosable mental health problem in any given year. Conditions like severe depression or anxiety can be just as debilitating as a physical illness, making work impossible.
  • The Rise of Long-Term Sickness: The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has reported a significant increase in the number of people out of work due to long-term sickness, reaching record highs in recent years. This trend underscores the growing gap between the support the state can offer and the financial reality of being unable to earn.

The Financial Ripple Effect of Illness

A serious health diagnosis is not just a medical event; it's a financial one. The consequences can be swift and devastating, creating a ripple effect that extends far beyond the individual.

  1. Loss of Income: For most people, their ability to earn is their single greatest asset. Whether you're a salaried employee with limited sick pay, a freelancer with no safety net, or a business owner whose presence is critical, a long-term absence means an immediate and severe drop in income.
  2. Increased Expenses: The costs associated with being ill can mount quickly. These can include travel to and from specialist hospitals, parking fees, prescription charges, home modifications (like ramps or stairlifts), and potentially the cost of private consultations or treatments to speed up recovery.
  3. The Impact on Loved Ones: Often, a partner or family member may have to reduce their working hours or stop working entirely to become a caregiver. This creates a double blow to the household income, compounding the financial pressure.
  4. Derailment of Future Goals: The financial strain can force families to abandon long-term goals. Savings earmarked for a house deposit, university fees, or retirement may have to be diverted to cover immediate living costs.

To put this into perspective, consider the potential monthly shortfall:

Financial ElementTypical Monthly CostImpact of Long-Term IllnessPotential Shortfall
Household Income£3,500Drops to Statutory Sick Pay (£116.75/week)-£3,000+
Mortgage/Rent£1,200Remains the sameUnchanged
Utilities & Bills£400May increase (heating)Unchanged / Increase
Food & Groceries£600Remains the sameUnchanged
New Illness Costs£0Travel, Prescriptions, etc.+£250
Total Monthly Gap~£3,250

This simplified table illustrates how quickly a family's financial stability can collapse without a protective shield in place.

Building Your Financial Fortress: The Core Pillars of Protection

Your financial fortress is built from several key pillars, each designed to protect you from a different type of risk. It’s not about having one "best" policy, but about creating a blended, tailored strategy that covers your unique circumstances.

1. Income Protection: Your Personal Salary Safety Net

Often considered the bedrock of personal finance, Income Protection insurance is arguably the most important cover you can own.

What is it? It pays out a regular, tax-free monthly income if you are unable to work due to any illness or injury. It’s designed to replace a significant portion of your lost earnings, allowing you to continue paying your mortgage, bills, and living expenses.

Who needs it most? While everyone who earns an income can benefit, it is absolutely essential for:

  • The Self-Employed and Freelancers: Plumbers, electricians, graphic designers, consultants – if you don't work, you don't get paid. You have no employer sick pay to fall back on. Income Protection is your sick pay.
  • Tradespeople and Manual Workers: Your livelihood depends directly on your physical health. An injury that might be an inconvenience for an office worker could be career-ending for you.
  • Nurses and Healthcare Professionals: Despite working in a health-focused environment, nurses are not immune to illness. The demands of the job can be physically and mentally taxing, and NHS sick pay, while better than many, will eventually run out during a long-term absence.
  • Company Directors: You may have a limited sick pay arrangement, and your absence can directly impact the business's profitability, making a secure personal income stream vital.

Key Features to Understand:

  • 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. You can align it with any sick pay you receive from your employer.
  • Level of Cover: You can typically cover 50-70% of your gross annual income. This is to ensure you have an incentive to return to work.
  • Definition of Incapacity: This is crucial. 'Own Occupation' is the gold standard. It means the policy will pay out if you are unable to do your specific job. Other definitions like 'Suited Occupation' or 'Any Occupation' are less comprehensive and may not pay out if the insurer believes you could do a different type of work.

Real-Life Scenario: Meet Sarah, a 35-year-old self-employed physiotherapist. She suffers a serious back injury while moving equipment. Her 'Own Occupation' Income Protection policy, which she set up with a 13-week deferred period, kicks in after three months. It pays her £2,500 a month, allowing her to focus entirely on her recovery and rehabilitation without the stress of losing her home or being forced back to work before she is ready.

For those in riskier jobs or wanting shorter-term cover, Personal Sick Pay insurance is a close cousin. It typically covers you for 12 or 24 months, offering a more affordable but less comprehensive alternative to full Income Protection.

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2. Critical Illness Cover: A Financial First Responder

While Income Protection shields your monthly budget, Critical Illness Cover provides a powerful, immediate capital injection when you need it most.

What is it? It pays out a one-off, tax-free lump sum on the diagnosis of a specified serious illness, such as cancer, heart attack, or stroke.

How can the lump sum be used? The beauty of Critical Illness Cover is its flexibility. You can use the money for anything you want, providing financial breathing space and options. Common uses include:

  • Clearing a mortgage or other debts: Removing your biggest financial burden provides immense peace of mind.
  • Funding private medical treatment: Accessing specialists, treatments, or drugs not available on the NHS can accelerate recovery.
  • Adapting your home: Installing a wet room, stairlift, or making your home wheelchair-accessible.
  • Replacing a partner's income: Allowing your spouse to take time off work to care for you.
  • Creating a stress-free recovery fund: Simply having a pot of money to handle unexpected costs without worry.

Comparing Income Protection and Critical Illness Cover:

FeatureIncome ProtectionCritical Illness Cover
Payout TypeRegular monthly incomeOne-off lump sum
Reason for PayoutInability to work (any illness/injury)Diagnosis of a specified condition
Duration of PayoutUntil you recover, retire, or the policy endsA single payment
Primary PurposeReplaces lost salaryProvides capital for major costs

Many people choose to hold both policies, as they serve different but complementary purposes.

3. Life Insurance: Securing Your Legacy

Life Insurance is the most well-known form of protection, but its modern variations offer more sophisticated solutions than many realise.

What is it? At its core, Life Insurance (or Life Protection) pays out a lump sum to your loved ones if you pass away during the policy term. This money can be used to pay off the mortgage, cover funeral costs, and provide for your family's future living expenses.

Modern Variations:

  • Family Income Benefit (FIB): Instead of a single large lump sum, FIB pays out a smaller, regular, tax-free monthly or annual income to your family until the policy term expires. This can be easier for a bereaved family to manage than a large sum, replacing the lost monthly salary in a more direct way. It's often more affordable than equivalent lump sum cover.
  • Gift Inter Vivos Insurance: A specialist plan for those concerned with Inheritance Tax (IHT). If you gift a large sum of money or an asset (like a property) to someone, it is still considered part of your estate for IHT purposes for seven years. This type of policy provides a lump sum to cover the potential IHT bill if you were to pass away within that seven-year period, ensuring your beneficiaries receive the full value of the gift.

4. Private Health Insurance (PMI): Taking Control of Your Health Journey

In an era of growing NHS waiting lists, Private Health Insurance is increasingly seen not as a luxury, but as a practical tool for taking control of your health and recovery.

What is it? PMI, also known as private medical insurance, is a policy that covers the cost of private medical care for acute conditions that arise after you take out the policy.

Key Benefits:

  • Speed: This is the primary driver for most people. PMI allows you to bypass long NHS waiting lists for consultations, diagnostics (like MRI and CT scans), and surgery.
  • Choice: You can choose your specialist, your consultant, and the hospital where you are treated.
  • Comfort: Treatment is often in a private hospital with your own en-suite room, more flexible visiting hours, and better food.
  • Access to Specialist Treatments: Some policies provide access to new drugs or treatments that may not yet be approved for widespread NHS use.

For a business owner, a freelancer, or anyone whose income is tied to their availability, the benefit is clear. Reducing the wait for a hip replacement from 18 months to 6 weeks means a year of extra earnings and a much faster return to the life you love.

The Entrepreneur's Edge: Specialised Protection for Business Owners

If you run your own business, you face a unique set of risks. Your personal and business finances are often intertwined, and your health is a critical business asset. Specialised business protection policies are designed to shield both you and your company.

These policies are typically paid for by the business, making them a highly tax-efficient way to arrange cover.

Key Person Insurance

What is it? It’s a life insurance or critical illness policy taken out by the business on a crucial employee – this could be a founder, a top salesperson, or a technical expert. If that person passes away or suffers a critical illness, the policy pays a lump sum directly to the business.

How is the money used? To cover the costs of finding and training a replacement, to replace lost profits during the disruption, or to reassure lenders and investors that the business can weather the storm.

Executive Income Protection

What is it? This is Income Protection for company directors and key employees, but it's paid for by the business. The premiums are usually an allowable business expense, and the benefit is paid to the company, which then pays it to the employee via PAYE. It’s a tax-efficient way to provide a premium benefit that attracts and retains top talent.

Relevant Life Cover

What is it? This is a tax-efficient death-in-service benefit for individual employees or directors, paid for by the business. Unlike a traditional group scheme, it's a standalone policy. The premiums are not treated as a P11D benefit for the employee, and the payout is made tax-free to the employee's family via a trust. It’s an excellent perk for small businesses that don’t have enough staff for a full group life scheme.

Here’s a summary of how these policies protect your business:

Protection TypeWho is Covered?Who Receives the Payout?Primary Purpose
Key PersonA vital employee/directorThe BusinessEnsures business continuity & covers profit loss.
Executive IPA director/employeeThe Business (then paid to employee)Provides a replacement income for the individual.
Relevant LifeA director/employeeThe Employee's Family (via trust)Provides a tax-efficient death-in-service benefit.

The Proactive Advantage: Beyond Insurance to Holistic Wellbeing

A truly resilient life isn't just about having the right insurance. The ultimate goal is to never need to claim on it. The "unseen shield" is strongest when it combines a robust financial safety net with a proactive approach to your own health and wellbeing.

Modern insurers recognise this, and many now include valuable wellness benefits with their policies to encourage healthier lifestyles.

The Power of Prevention

Small, consistent daily habits have a monumental impact on your long-term health, reducing your risk of developing the very conditions you're insuring against.

  • Nourish Your Body: A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains is fundamental. Understanding your calorie intake and macronutrient balance can be a game-changer.
  • Move Every Day: The NHS recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity a week. This could be brisk walking, cycling, or swimming. Find something you enjoy to make it sustainable.
  • Prioritise Sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night. It is critical for cognitive function, immune response, and mental health.
  • Manage Stress: Chronic stress is a major contributor to illness. Incorporate mindfulness, meditation, or simple hobbies into your routine to decompress.

Value-Added Benefits: Your Insurer as a Wellness Partner

Look beyond the core cover when choosing a policy. Many leading insurers now offer a suite of benefits designed to keep you healthy:

  • Virtual GP Services: 24/7 access to a GP via phone or video call, allowing you to get medical advice quickly without leaving your home.
  • Mental Health Support: Access to counselling sessions, therapy apps, and support lines.
  • Fitness Discounts: Reduced gym memberships or discounts on fitness trackers to incentivise activity.
  • Second Medical Opinion Services: If you receive a serious diagnosis, you can get your case reviewed by a world-leading expert to confirm the diagnosis and explore treatment options.

At WeCovr, we believe so strongly in this proactive approach that we go a step further. In addition to helping you find the perfect insurance shield from the UK's leading providers, we provide our clients with complimentary access to CalorieHero, our AI-powered calorie and nutrition tracking app. It’s our way of investing in your long-term health, helping you build positive habits that form the first line of defence against illness.

From Fear to Freedom: How Protection Fuels Personal Growth

This is the central, transformative idea: protection is not about living in fear of what might happen. It is the very tool that liberates you from that fear, allowing you to live a bigger, bolder life.

When you know that your income is secure and your family is protected, you create the psychological space to pursue growth. The "what if I get sick?" question no longer has the power to veto your ambitions.

Consider the possibilities that open up:

  • The Aspiring Entrepreneur: You have a brilliant business idea, but the thought of giving up a stable salary is terrifying. With a comprehensive Income Protection policy in place, you know that even if the business takes time to get off the ground or you fall ill, your mortgage will still be paid. You have the confidence to take the leap.
  • The Career Changer: You're in a well-paid but unfulfilling job. You want to retrain for a new career, but it involves a temporary pay cut and a period of uncertainty. Knowing your financial foundations are solid gives you the courage to invest in yourself and pursue a more meaningful path.
  • The Adventurous Traveller: You dream of taking a six-month sabbatical to travel the world. A robust protection portfolio ensures that this dream isn't a reckless gamble but a well-planned life experience.

The unseen shield of protection removes the biggest obstacle to growth: the fear of catastrophic failure. It allows you to replace "what if I fail?" with "what if I fly?".

The world of protection insurance can seem complex, but getting the right advice makes the process straightforward.

The Value of Expert Guidance

While it's possible to buy some policies direct, using an independent expert broker like WeCovr offers significant advantages. We don't work for one insurer; we work for you. Our role is to:

  1. Understand Your World: We take the time to understand your personal and financial situation, your family's needs, your career, and your future goals.
  2. Scan the Entire Market: We have access to policies and deals from all the UK's major insurers, ensuring you see the full range of options, not just what one company offers.
  3. Translate the Jargon: We explain the difference between 'reviewable' and 'guaranteed' premiums, 'own occupation' and 'any occupation', and help you understand the small print that really matters.
  4. Handle the Paperwork: We assist you with the application process, ensuring it's completed accurately to avoid any issues at the point of a claim.

Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Begin

  • What are my essential monthly outgoings (mortgage, bills, food)?
  • How long would my savings last if my income stopped tomorrow?
  • What sick pay does my employer provide, and for how long?
  • Who depends on me financially?
  • What are my biggest financial fears? (e.g., not being able to pay the mortgage, leaving my family with debt).

Answering these questions will give you a clear picture of your needs and provide a fantastic starting point for a conversation with an adviser.

Conclusion: Build Your Shield, Unleash Your Potential

The statistics are not there to scare us, but to inform us. In a world of increasing health and financial uncertainty, burying our heads in the sand is not a strategy. The true path to a secure and ambitious life lies in acknowledging the risks and proactively building a shield against them.

This shield – woven from the threads of Income Protection, Critical Illness Cover, Life Insurance, and Private Health Insurance – does more than just protect you from the downside. It unlocks your upside. It provides the financial and psychological security to take calculated risks, to invest in yourself, to build a business, and to chase your most ambitious dreams.

It transforms life's unpredictability from a source of anxiety into a manageable part of your journey. By planning for the unexpected, you empower yourself to live intentionally, to grow without fear, and to build a lasting legacy for yourself and your loved ones. The time to build your unseen shield is now. Don't just plan for the future – build the foundation that allows you to create it.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is protection insurance like life or critical illness cover expensive?

The cost of protection varies significantly based on several factors: your age, your health and lifestyle (e.g., whether you smoke), your occupation, the type of cover you want, the amount of cover, and the policy term. However, it is often far more affordable than people think. For example, a healthy 30-year-old could get significant life insurance cover for the price of a few cups of coffee a week. The key is to get cover early while you are young and healthy to lock in lower premiums.

Will I need to have a medical examination to get insurance?

Not always. For many people, cover can be arranged based on the answers you provide on the application form. However, for larger amounts of cover, if you are older, or if you disclose certain pre-existing medical conditions, the insurer may request more information. This could be a report from your GP, a nurse screening (blood pressure, height, weight), or a full medical exam. This is paid for by the insurer. It is vital to be completely honest on your application.

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

Yes, it is often still possible to get cover. The insurer's decision will depend on the specific condition, its severity, when you were diagnosed, and how it is managed. There are a few possible outcomes: you may be offered cover on standard terms, your premium may be increased (known as a 'loading'), or the policy may have an exclusion for your specific condition. In some cases, cover may be declined. This is where an expert broker is invaluable, as they know which insurers are more likely to offer favourable terms for certain conditions.

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

This is a crucial distinction. Guaranteed premiums are fixed when you take out the policy and will not change for the entire policy term, unless you choose to alter your cover. They may start slightly higher but offer long-term certainty. Reviewable premiums start lower but the insurer has the right to review and increase them at set intervals (e.g., every 5 years). These increases can be significant over time, potentially making the policy unaffordable in the long run. For most long-term protection like Life, Critical Illness, and Income Protection, guaranteed premiums are strongly recommended.

How much cover do I actually need?

There's no single answer, as the right amount is unique to your circumstances. For life insurance, a common rule of thumb is to cover 10 times your annual salary, but a better approach is to calculate your actual needs: clear your mortgage and any other debts, and provide an income for your family. For Income Protection, you can typically cover up to 70% of your pre-tax income. For Critical Illness, the amount should be enough to provide a significant financial buffer, perhaps enough to clear major debts or cover 2-3 years of your salary. An adviser can help you perform a detailed needs analysis.

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

Going direct to an insurer means you only see one company's products and get information, not advice. An independent broker like WeCovr works for you, not the insurer. We provide impartial, expert advice tailored to your needs. We compare policies from across the entire market to find the best cover at the most competitive price. We also assist with the application and can help place you with specialist insurers if you have a complex health or occupational background, significantly increasing your chances of getting the right cover on the best possible terms.

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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