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The Unshakeable Self: Growth Through Strategic Protection

The Unshakeable Self: Growth Through Strategic Protection

Beyond Chance

Discover How Proactive Financial Fortitude, From Income Stability to End-of-Life Legacy, Fuels Your Deepest Personal Growth, Strengthens Every Relationship, and Empowers an Audacious Life, Even as 2025 Health Realities Demand a Smarter Approach to Your Wellbeing and Private Care.

We exist in an age of profound paradox. We invest in gym memberships, mindfulness apps, and career coaching, all in the noble pursuit of personal growth. We strive to become better partners, parents, and leaders. Yet, too often, we build this ambitious life on a foundation of sand, vulnerable to the unpredictable tides of illness, injury, and economic uncertainty.

True, unshakeable personal growth isn't just about mindset; it's about structure. It's about creating a safety net so strong that it gives you the courage to leap. It's about moving beyond hope and chance, and into the realm of strategic, proactive protection.

This isn't a conversation about fear. It's a conversation about freedom. It’s about building a financial fortress that safeguards not just your assets, but your ambitions, your relationships, and your peace of mind. As we navigate the complex health and economic landscape of 2025, where NHS pressures mount and the nature of work continues to evolve, a smarter, more integrated approach to our wellbeing and financial security is no longer an option—it's the very bedrock of an audacious life.

This guide will illuminate the path from vulnerability to resilience. We will explore how stabilising your income, protecting against critical illness, and planning your legacy can unlock your potential, empower your boldest choices, and forge you into the unshakeable self you were meant to be.

The Shifting Sands of 2025: Why Proactive Protection is No Longer a 'Nice-to-Have'

The world feels less predictable than ever. While this uncertainty can fuel innovation and personal agility, it also exposes our vulnerabilities. In the UK, several converging trends are making personal financial protection an essential component of modern life.

The NHS Under Pressure: The Reality of Waiting

The National Health Service is a national treasure, but it is under unprecedented strain. The downstream effects of the pandemic, combined with demographic shifts and funding challenges, have led to significant waiting times for treatment.

According to the latest data from NHS England, the elective care waiting list remains stubbornly high, with millions of people waiting for routine procedures and specialist consultations. A significant number of these individuals face waits exceeding 18 weeks, with tens of thousands waiting over a year for treatment.

What does this mean for you? A painful knee could prevent a self-employed builder from working for months. A long wait for a diagnostic scan could mean prolonged anxiety and a delayed treatment plan. While the NHS provides exemplary emergency care, the wait for 'non-urgent' (but often life-altering) treatment can have a devastating impact on your ability to earn an income and live your life.

The Rise of Long-Term Sickness in the Workforce

A concerning trend highlighted by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) is the increase in economic inactivity due to long-term sickness. Millions of working-age people are now outside the labour market because of chronic health conditions, with mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety, and musculoskeletal issues being major contributors.

This isn't just a statistic; it's a story playing out in homes across the country. It's the project manager battling burnout, the teacher struggling with chronic back pain, or the graphic designer diagnosed with a condition that makes screen time impossible. For these individuals, the loss of income is immediate and often catastrophic.

The Modern Workforce: Freedom and Fragility

The rise of the 'gig economy', freelancing, and self-employment has brought incredible flexibility. However, it has also dismantled the traditional safety nets that once came with employment.

  • No Statutory Sick Pay (SSP): If you're self-employed, you aren't entitled to SSP. If you can't work, your income stops instantly.
  • No 'Death in Service' Benefit: Many employees enjoy a 'death in service' benefit, a lump sum paid to their loved ones if they die while employed. Freelancers and company directors must arrange this for themselves.
  • No Employer Health Insurance: Access to private medical insurance or cash plans is a common employee perk, but one that business owners and contractors must source independently.

This new world of work demands a new mindset—one where you are your own HR department, and building your own benefits package is a non-negotiable part of your business plan.

The Bedrock of Your Audacious Life: Income Protection Explained

Of all the financial shocks you can experience, the loss of your income is arguably the most immediate and destabilising. It’s the cornerstone of your entire financial life. Income Protection (IP) is designed to be the bedrock that keeps everything standing when your health fails you.

In simple terms, Income Protection pays you a regular, tax-free monthly income if you are unable to work due to any illness or injury. It continues to pay out until you can return to work, reach retirement age, or the policy term ends—whichever comes first.

Think of it as your own personal sick pay scheme, one that you control.

Key Features of an Income Protection Policy

Understanding the mechanics of an IP policy is crucial to getting the right cover.

FeatureWhat It MeansWhy It Matters
Benefit AmountThe monthly sum you receive. Typically 50-65% of your gross pre-incapacity earnings.This is your replacement salary. It needs to be enough to cover your essential outgoings like your mortgage, bills, and food.
Deferment PeriodThe waiting period between when you stop work and when the policy starts paying out.Can range from 4 weeks to 52 weeks. A longer deferment period means a lower premium. You should match it to any sick pay from your employer or your own emergency savings.
Definition of IncapacityThe criteria the insurer uses to decide if you are eligible to claim.This is critical. 'Own Occupation' is the gold standard—it pays out if you can't do your specific job. Other definitions like 'Suited Occupation' or 'Any Occupation' are less comprehensive.
Policy TermHow long the policy runs for. Usually set to your planned retirement age (e.g., 68).This ensures you are protected throughout your entire working life.

Real-Life Example:

Meet Sarah, a 40-year-old self-employed architect earning £60,000 a year. She has an Income Protection policy for a £3,000 per month benefit (60% of her gross income) with a 13-week deferment period.

Sarah is diagnosed with a severe repetitive strain injury in her dominant hand, making it impossible for her to use her design software or draw plans. Her income stops overnight.

  • Weeks 1-13: Sarah uses her emergency savings to cover her bills. This is her deferment period.
  • Week 14 onwards: Her Income Protection policy kicks in, paying her £3,000 every month, tax-free.
  • This income allows her to pay her mortgage, cover her living costs, and focus entirely on her physiotherapy and recovery without financial stress. The policy continues to pay out for the 9 months she is unable to work.

Without IP, Sarah would have faced immense financial pressure, potentially having to sell her home or take on significant debt. With it, her financial life remained stable, allowing her to focus on what mattered most: getting better.

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Specialist Cover for Business Owners: Executive Income Protection

For company directors, a standard personal IP policy is a great option. However, there's an even more tax-efficient solution: Executive Income Protection.

This is a policy owned and paid for by your limited company. The benefit is paid to the company, which then distributes it to you, the incapacitated employee, via PAYE. The key advantages are:

  1. Tax Efficiency: The premiums are typically considered an allowable business expense, reducing your corporation tax bill.
  2. Higher Cover Levels: It's often possible to cover a higher percentage of your total remuneration package (including dividends and P11D benefits), up to 80%.
  3. Protects the Business: It ensures a key director can still be paid without draining business resources during a long absence.

This is a powerful tool for any small business owner looking to create a robust benefits package for themselves and their key staff.

Facing the Unthinkable: Critical Illness Cover as Your Financial First Responder

While Income Protection shields your monthly cash flow, Critical Illness Cover (CIC) is designed to provide a major capital injection at a time of immense emotional and physical turmoil.

CIC pays out a one-off, tax-free lump sum if you are diagnosed with one of a list of specified serious medical conditions. The 'big three' typically covered are specific types of cancer, heart attack, and stroke, which account for the majority of claims. However, modern policies can cover over 50 conditions, including multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease, and major organ transplant.

The statistics are sobering. According to Cancer Research UK, 1 in 2 people in the UK born after 1960 will be diagnosed with some form of cancer during their lifetime. The British Heart Foundation reports hundreds of thousands of hospital admissions for heart attacks each year. These are not remote possibilities; they are mainstream health events.

How a Critical Illness Payout Creates Breathing Space

The financial impact of a serious illness extends far beyond a loss of income. A CIC payout provides the ultimate financial flexibility. You can use the money for anything you need to help you and your family cope.

  • Clear your mortgage: Removing your largest monthly outgoing provides incredible peace of mind.
  • Fund private medical treatment: With NHS waiting lists growing, a CIC payout could give you the option to access private surgery, specialist consultations, or novel treatments not available on the NHS.
  • Adapt your home: If your illness affects your mobility, you might need to install a stairlift, create a downstairs bathroom, or widen doorways.
  • Replace lost income: It can allow your partner to take time off work to care for you, or bridge any financial gap before an Income Protection policy kicks in.
  • Take a recuperative holiday: The money can be used to create positive memories with your family and aid your mental recovery.

A Hypothetical Cost Breakdown After a Stroke

Let's imagine a 50-year-old who has a stroke, leaving them with some mobility issues and unable to work for a year.

Potential CostEstimated AmountHow a £150,000 CIC Payout Helps
Lost Income (net)£30,000Covers the full year's lost earnings.
Private Physiotherapy£5,200 (2x weekly @ £50)Ensures rapid access to intensive rehabilitation.
Home Adaptations£15,000 (Stairlift, wet room)Makes the home safe and accessible.
Partner's Lost Income£10,000 (Taking unpaid leave)Allows the partner to provide crucial care without financial penalty.
Total Immediate Need£60,200Fully covered, with £89,800 remaining to clear debts or invest for the future.

The Importance of Definitions:

A crucial point with CIC is that not all policies are created equal. The definition of a "heart attack" or "cancer" can vary between insurers. Some policies might pay out for less severe forms of cancer (carcinoma in situ), while others might not. This is not a product to buy off-the-shelf. Using an expert broker, like WeCovr, is vital to compare the intricate details and ensure the policy you choose offers the comprehensive definitions you need.

Life Insurance: More Than Just a Payout, It's a Legacy of Love

Life insurance is perhaps the most well-known form of protection, yet it is often misunderstood. It's not for you; it's for the people you leave behind. It's a final act of care, ensuring that your death doesn't create a financial crisis for your family.

The core principle is simple: you pay a monthly premium, and if you die during the policy term, the insurer pays out a significant, tax-free cash sum. This money can be used to pay off the mortgage, cover funeral costs, provide for your children's education, or simply replace your income for a number of years.

There are several different types, each suited to different needs.

Type of Life InsuranceHow It WorksBest For
Level Term AssuranceThe payout amount (sum assured) and premium remain fixed for the policy term (e.g., 25 years).Covering an interest-only mortgage or providing a specific lump sum for your family's future, regardless of when you die during the term.
Decreasing Term AssuranceThe sum assured reduces over the policy term, broadly in line with a repayment mortgage. Premiums are lower than level term.Specifically covering a repayment mortgage. It's the most affordable way to ensure your family can stay in their home.
Family Income BenefitInstead of a lump sum, it pays a regular, tax-free monthly or annual income to your family until the policy term ends.Young families who would benefit from a replacement monthly income rather than managing a large lump sum. It's very cost-effective.
Whole of LifeThe policy has no end date. It runs for your entire life and guarantees a payout whenever you die.Covering a definite future liability, such as funeral costs or an Inheritance Tax (IHT) bill.

Advanced Planning: Inheritance Tax and Gifting

For those with larger estates, life insurance is a cornerstone of Inheritance Tax (IHT) planning. Currently, IHT is charged at 40% on the value of an estate above a certain threshold (£325,000 per person, with additional allowances for a main residence).

A Whole of Life policy written 'in trust' can be a perfect solution. When written in trust, the payout from the life insurance policy does not form part of your legal estate. This means your beneficiaries receive the full, tax-free sum, which they can then use to pay the IHT bill, ensuring the assets you worked so hard for can be passed on intact.

Another clever tool is Gift Inter Vivos insurance. If you make a large financial gift to someone (a Potentially Exempt Transfer), that gift only becomes fully exempt from IHT if you survive for seven years. If you die within that period, IHT may be due. A Gift Inter Vivos policy is a 7-year life insurance plan designed specifically to pay out and cover that potential tax bill, protecting the recipient of your gift.

Essential Cover for Business Owners

For directors and key employees, there are specialist life insurance products that offer significant tax advantages.

  • Relevant Life Cover: This is a death-in-service policy for a single employee, paid for by the business. The premiums are an allowable business expense, and the benefits are paid tax-free to the employee's family, without counting towards their lifetime pension allowance. It's an incredibly efficient way for directors of small limited companies to provide for their families.
  • Key Person Insurance: This protects the business itself. It's a life insurance (or combined life and critical illness) policy taken out on a crucial employee whose death or serious illness would cause a significant financial loss to the company—think a star salesperson, a gifted technical director, or a founder. The payout goes to the business to cover lost profits, recruit a replacement, or clear debts.

The WeCovr Advantage: Holistic Protection for a Holistic Life

Navigating this world of deferment periods, occupation classes, and trust writing can be daunting. The sheer number of products and providers is overwhelming, and the cost of getting it wrong is immense.

This is where working with a specialist, independent broker is not just helpful—it's essential. At WeCovr, we act as your expert guide. We take the time to understand your unique circumstances—your family, your career, your business, your health, and your aspirations. We then search the entire market, comparing policies from all the UK's leading insurers to find the combination of cover that provides the most robust protection at the most competitive price.

But our philosophy goes deeper. We believe that true protection isn't just a reactive safety net for the worst-case scenario. It's about empowering you to live your best, healthiest, and most audacious life today. It's a holistic approach to wellbeing.

That’s why all our valued clients receive complimentary access to CalorieHero, our exclusive AI-powered nutrition and calorie tracking app. Building the foundation of good health through mindful eating and an active lifestyle is the first line of defence. CalorieHero is our investment in your proactive wellbeing, helping you build the strength and resilience to chase your goals every single day.

Beyond Insurance: Building Your Fortress of Wellbeing

While insurance policies are the structural beams of your financial fortress, your daily habits are the bricks and mortar. A healthier lifestyle not only reduces your risk of needing to claim but can also lead to lower insurance premiums. More importantly, it enhances your quality of life today.

The Power of Your Plate

Nutrition is fundamental to both physical and mental resilience. The evidence is clear: a diet rich in whole foods is protective.

  • Embrace Colour: Aim for a Mediterranean-style diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and oily fish. These foods are packed with anti-inflammatory compounds and antioxidants.
  • Feed Your Gut: Your gut microbiome influences everything from your immune system to your mood. Incorporate fermented foods like live yoghurt, kefir, and sauerkraut.
  • Reduce the Ultra-Processed: Foods high in sugar, unhealthy fats, and artificial additives can promote inflammation and have been linked to a host of chronic diseases.

The Restorative Power of Sleep

Sleep is not a luxury; it is a non-negotiable biological necessity. According to The Sleep Charity, chronic sleep deprivation is linked to a higher risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and mental health problems.

  • Consistency is Key: Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends.
  • Create a Sanctuary: Your bedroom should be cool, dark, and quiet. Banish screens for at least an hour before bed—the blue light disrupts melatonin production.
  • Mind Your Intake: Avoid caffeine and large meals late in the evening.

Movement as Medicine

The UK Chief Medical Officers' guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity a week, plus strengthening activities on two days.

  • Find Your Joy: Exercise shouldn't be a punishment. Find an activity you love, whether it's dancing, hiking, swimming, or team sports.
  • Incorporate 'Snacks' of Movement: Take the stairs, walk during phone calls, or do a few squats while waiting for the kettle to boil. Every little bit counts.
  • Strength for Life: Resistance training is crucial for maintaining muscle mass and bone density as we age, protecting us from falls and injury.

Putting It All Together: Your Personal Protection Blueprint

Feeling motivated? Here is a simple, actionable plan to transform these ideas into your personal fortress.

Step 1: Audit Your Life Take a clear-eyed look at your situation.

  • Debts: What is your outstanding mortgage? Do you have car loans or credit card debt?
  • Dependents: Who relies on your income? Your partner, your children?
  • Income: What is your monthly take-home pay? How would your family cope without it?
  • Existing Cover: What protection do you have from your employer? Is it enough? Does it stop if you leave your job?
  • Savings: How many months' worth of expenses do you have in an emergency fund?

Step 2: Define Your 'Why' This is the most important step. What are you really protecting?

  • Is it ensuring your children can go to university?
  • Is it giving your partner the freedom to not have to work if you're gone?
  • Is it protecting your business from collapse?
  • Is it simply guaranteeing your own independence and dignity if you become ill? Write it down. This is your motivation.

Step 3: Quantify the Need Translate your 'why' into numbers.

  • For Income Protection: Calculate your essential monthly outgoings. Aim to cover at least this amount.
  • For Critical Illness & Life Insurance: A common rule of thumb is to seek cover of 10x your annual salary, or enough to clear your mortgage and other major debts plus a buffer.

Step 4: Explore Your Options Review the different types of cover discussed in this guide. Think about which ones align with your priorities. A combination is often the best approach—for example, Decreasing Term Assurance to cover the mortgage, plus a Family Income Benefit policy to provide a replacement salary.

Step 5: Seek Expert Advice This is not a journey to take alone. The market is complex, and the details matter. This is where speaking to an expert adviser at WeCovr can demystify the process and add enormous value. We can help you:

  • Accurately assess your needs.
  • Compare the market to find the best value.
  • Understand the crucial policy definitions.
  • Place your policies in trust to ensure the money goes to the right people quickly and tax-efficiently.
  • Review your cover periodically as your life changes.

Conclusion: From Vulnerability to Audacity

Building your financial fortress is the ultimate act of self-care and love for your family. It's the conscious decision to move from a position of hope to a position of strategy.

Proactive protection transforms 'what if' from a source of anxiety into a solved problem. It frees up your mental and emotional energy to focus on what truly matters: pursuing your passions, taking calculated risks, building your business, and being fully present with the people you love.

It is the unseen, unshakeable foundation upon which you can build your most audacious, fulfilling, and growth-oriented life. The time to lay the first stone is now.

Is this kind of insurance expensive?

The cost (premium) of protection insurance depends on several factors: your age, your health and lifestyle (including whether you smoke), your occupation, the type of cover, the amount of cover, and the policy term. For many people, it is surprisingly affordable. For example, a healthy 30-year-old could secure a significant life insurance policy for the price of a few cups of coffee a week. An expert adviser can help you find cover that fits your budget.

Do I need to have a medical examination to get cover?

Not always. For many people, cover can be granted based on the answers you provide on the application form. Insurers use this information, along with industry data, to assess the risk. However, for larger amounts of cover, or if you disclose certain medical conditions, the insurer may request more information from your GP or ask you to attend a medical screening, which they will pay for. Full and honest disclosure is essential to ensure any future claim is paid.

What if I have a pre-existing medical condition?

You can still get cover, but the insurer's decision will depend on the specific condition, its severity, and how well it is managed. In some cases, you may be offered cover on standard terms. In other cases, the insurer might apply a 'loading' (an increase to the premium) or an 'exclusion' (a clause stating the policy will not pay out for claims related to that specific condition). A specialist broker is invaluable here, as they know which insurers are more favourable for certain conditions.

How do I know how much cover I need?

This is a personal calculation based on your circumstances. For life insurance, consider clearing your mortgage and any other debts, plus providing a lump sum for your family to live on (a common guideline is 10x your annual salary). For income protection, calculate your essential monthly outgoings and aim to cover that amount. For critical illness, consider a sum that could clear debts and give you significant breathing space. An adviser can help you perform a detailed needs analysis.

Why should I use a broker like WeCovr instead of a price comparison website?

Price comparison websites are great for simple, commoditised products, but protection insurance is complex. A cheap policy is not always the best policy. A broker provides expert advice tailored to you. They will help you understand the differences in policy definitions (like 'own occupation' for income protection), assist with the application, and crucially, help you place the policy in trust. This ensures the payout goes to your chosen beneficiaries tax-efficiently and without delay—a service comparison sites do not offer.

Related guides

Why life insurance and how does it work?

What is Life Insurance?

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

How does it work?

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

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

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

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

Questions to ask yourself regarding life insurance

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

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

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

Benefits offered by income protection, life and critical illness insurance

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Types of life insurance policies

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Important Fact!

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

Why is it important to get life insurance early?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Any questions?

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

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

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

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

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

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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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