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UK 2026 Health Reality 3 in 5 Working Britons Face Major Setback

UK 2026 Health Reality 3 in 5 Working Britons Face Major...

New 2026 projections reveal that over 3 in 5 working Britons will experience a life-altering health event – whether a critical illness, long-term disability, or severe chronic condition – before reaching retirement age, posing a staggering multi-million-pound lifetime financial threat from lost income, unfunded care, and compromised family futures. Learn how your Life, Critical Illness, and Income Protection (LCIIP) shield offers the vital financial security to navigate these inevitable challenges, protecting your familys well-being and prosperity.

The classic British mindset of "keeping a stiff upper lip" and "carrying on" is a commendable trait. However, when it comes to our health and finances, this stoicism can become a dangerous liability. We plan our holidays, our careers, and our children's education with meticulous detail, yet we often leave the single most significant threat to those plans entirely to chance: our health.

The reality, backed by stark new projections for 2026, is no longer a question of if a serious health event will impact your working life, but when and how severely. The data points to a startling conclusion: more than 60% of us currently in the workforce will be forced to confront a major illness, injury, or disability before we even think about collecting our state pension.

This isn't just a health crisis; it's a financial catastrophe in waiting. A sudden inability to earn an income doesn't just halt your financial progress; it sends it into a catastrophic reverse. Mortgages, bills, and daily living costs don't pause for a diagnosis. The financial safety nets we assume are in place are often threadbare or non-existent, leaving families exposed to a multi-million-pound loss in lifetime earnings.

This guide is designed to pull back the curtain on this looming reality. We will explore the data, dissect the financial fallout, and, most importantly, provide a clear, actionable blueprint for building a financial fortress around your family using the powerful combination of Life, Critical Illness, and Income Protection insurance.

The Looming Health Crisis: Unpacking the 2026 Projections

The "3 in 5" figure isn't scaremongering; it's a conservative projection based on converging trends from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the NHS, and leading health charities. As we move into 2026, several factors are conspiring to create a perfect storm for the UK's working population.

What's Driving This Trend?

  • An Ageing Workforce: With the state pension age continuing to rise, people are working for longer. This extends the window of time in which an age-related condition can strike during one's working life.
  • The Rise of Chronic Conditions: Lifestyle factors, stress, and environmental influences have led to a significant increase in long-term conditions. A record 2.8 million people are now out of work due to long-term sickness, a figure that continues to climb.
  • Improved, Earlier Diagnostics: Medical science is a double-edged sword. While we are now brilliant at detecting illnesses like cancer earlier, it means more people are living with a serious diagnosis for longer, often with a reduced capacity to work.
  • The Mental Health Epidemic: The once-taboo subject of mental health is now rightly recognised as a primary cause of long-term absence. Conditions like stress, anxiety, and depression are now the leading cause of sickness days in the UK.

The Three Core Threats to Your Earning Power

When we talk about a "life-altering health event," it typically falls into one of three devastating categories.

  1. Critical Illnesses: These are the sudden, severe conditions that often appear without warning. The "big three" continue to dominate:

    • Cancer: According to Cancer Research UK, 1 in 2 people in the UK will get cancer in their lifetime. A significant portion of these diagnoses occur during prime working years.
    • Heart Attack: The British Heart Foundation reports there are more than 100,000 hospital admissions for heart attacks each year in the UK. Many survivors cannot return to high-stress jobs.
    • Stroke: The Stroke Association notes that strokes are happening at younger ages, with one in four strokes in the UK now occurring in people of working age.
  2. Long-Term Disabling Conditions: These are often not a single event but a progressive decline that makes work impossible.

    • Musculoskeletal (MSK) Issues: This is the number one reason for long-term work absence. It includes severe back pain, arthritis, and other joint and muscle disorders, affecting over 20 million people in the UK.
    • Mental Health Conditions: As mentioned, this is the fastest-growing category for work incapacity. The severity can range from debilitating anxiety to deep depression, making consistent work untenable.
  3. Progressive Chronic Conditions: These illnesses require ongoing management and often lead to a gradual withdrawal from the workforce.

    • Type 2 Diabetes: A condition on a sharp rise, with complications that can affect eyesight, mobility, and overall health.
    • Multiple Sclerosis (MS): Typically diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 40, directly impacting an individual's peak earning years.
    • Autoimmune Diseases: Conditions like Lupus or Rheumatoid Arthritis can cause chronic pain, fatigue, and disability.
Health Threat CategoryKey UK Statistics & 2026 ProjectionsTypical Impact on Work
Critical IllnessesCancer: 1 in 2 lifetime risk. Heart Attack: 1 every 5 mins. Stroke: 1 every 5 mins.Sudden, prolonged absence. Often requires permanent career change or cessation.
Long-Term DisabilityMSK: Affects 1 in 3 adults. Mental Health: Leading cause of work absence.Inability to perform job role. High likelihood of never returning to previous capacity.
Chronic ConditionsDiabetes: Affecting 5 million+. MS: Over 130,000 people.Gradual reduction in hours, leading to eventual inability to work.
Sources: Cancer Research UK, British Heart Foundation, Stroke Association, ONS, NHS, Versus Arthritis.

The Financial Domino Effect: When Health Fails, Finances Falter

A serious health diagnosis is emotionally devastating. But the financial shockwave that follows can be just as destructive, dismantling a family's financial security with terrifying speed.

Most people grossly overestimate the support they will receive from the state or their employer. The reality is a harsh awakening.

The Immediate Income Shock: The Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) Myth

If you fall ill, your first line of defence is often Statutory Sick Pay. For the 2026/26 tax year, this amounts to a mere £121.50 per week. It is payable by your employer for a maximum of 28 weeks.

Let's put that into perspective. SSP provides just over £525 a month. This leaves an immediate, gaping shortfall of over £2,175 every single month for the average family.

Could your savings cover that gap for 28 weeks, let alone longer? For most, the answer is a resounding no.

The Multi-Million-Pound Threat: The Long-Term Financial Drain

The real financial danger isn't the initial 28 weeks; it's what happens after. A serious condition can easily prevent you from ever returning to your previous role, or even working at all. This is where the staggering "multi-million-pound threat" becomes a reality.

Consider a 40-year-old earning a modest £45,000 per year. If they are unable to work again until a retirement age of 67, they stand to lose £1,215,000 in gross future earnings.

This doesn't even account for promotions, inflation, or pension contributions. The table below illustrates this catastrophic loss across different ages and incomes.

Current AgeAnnual SalaryYears to Retirement (67)Total Lost Gross Income
35£40,00032£1,280,000
40£55,00027£1,485,000
45£70,00022£1,540,000
50£60,00017£1,020,000

On top of this colossal income loss, you face a raft of new, unfunded expenses:

  • Home & Vehicle Modifications: Ramps, stairlifts, walk-in showers, or an adapted car can cost tens of thousands of pounds.
  • Private Care & Therapies: While the NHS is remarkable, waiting lists for physiotherapy, counselling, or specialist treatments can be long. Many are forced to pay privately to accelerate recovery.
  • The "Carer" Effect: Often, a spouse or partner must reduce their working hours or give up their job entirely to provide care, slashing household income even further.
  • Depleting Your Future: Without an income, families are forced to raid their savings, cash in investments, and even access their pension pots early (with significant tax penalties), destroying decades of careful planning.
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Your Financial Shield: A Deep Dive into LCIIP Insurance

The scenario painted above is bleak, but it is not inevitable. You have the power to erect a financial fortress that can withstand these health shocks. The solution is a layered defence strategy known as LCIIP: Life, Critical Illness, and Income Protection. These are not interchangeable; they are distinct tools designed to work in concert to protect you and your family at every stage of a health crisis.

1. Income Protection (IP): The Bedrock of Your Plan

If you protect one thing, protect your income. Your ability to earn is your single most valuable asset, funding everything from your mortgage to your food and future dreams. Income Protection is the only policy specifically designed to replace your salary when you can't work.

  • What it does: Provides a regular, tax-free monthly income (typically 50-70% of your gross salary) if you are unable to work due to any illness or injury that your doctor signs you off for.
  • Key Features to Understand:
    • Deferred Period: This is the waiting period from when you stop working to when the payments begin. It can be set from 4 weeks to 52 weeks. You should align this with any sick pay you receive from your employer to keep costs down.
    • Payment Period: You can choose short-term plans (paying out for 1, 2, or 5 years) or a long-term plan. A long-term plan is the gold standard, as it will continue to pay you every month right up until you recover or reach retirement age.
    • Definition of Incapacity: This is crucial. The best policies use an "Own Occupation" definition. This means the policy will pay out if you are unable to do your specific job. Less comprehensive policies might use "Suited Occupation" (any job you're qualified for) or "Any Occupation" (any work at all), which are much harder to claim on.

2. Critical Illness Cover (CIC): The Financial First Responder

While Income Protection provides a long-term income stream, Critical Illness Cover provides an immediate, large-scale financial injection when you need it most.

  • What it does: Pays out a one-off, tax-free lump sum upon diagnosis of a specific, pre-defined serious illness (e.g., most cancers, heart attack, stroke, multiple sclerosis).
  • How it helps: The lump sum is yours to use as you see fit. Most people use it to:
    • Clear the mortgage: Removing the biggest monthly outgoing provides immense peace of mind.
    • Cover medical costs: Pay for private treatment, specialist consultations, or therapies not available on the NHS.
    • Adapt your home: Fund any necessary changes to your living environment.
    • Replace lost income: Provide a financial buffer for you and a partner who may need to take time off to care for you.

The key with CIC is understanding the definitions. The number and type of conditions covered vary between insurers. This is where an expert adviser is invaluable. At WeCovr, we meticulously compare the intricate policy details from all major UK insurers to ensure the plan you choose offers robust definitions for the conditions that concern you most.

3. Life Insurance: The Ultimate Family Backstop

Life Insurance is the foundation upon which all other financial planning for your family is built. It addresses the ultimate "what if?"

  • What it does: Pays out a tax-free lump sum to your loved ones if you pass away during the policy term.
  • Who needs it? Anyone with financial dependents. If you have a partner, children, a mortgage, or anyone who relies on your income, you need life insurance.
  • The Main Types:
    • Level Term Assurance: You choose a sum and a term (e.g., £300,000 over 25 years). The payout amount remains the same throughout the term. Ideal for covering an interest-only mortgage and providing a family income.
    • Decreasing Term Assurance: The potential payout decreases over time, broadly in line with a repayment mortgage. It's a cheaper way to ensure your biggest debt is always covered.
    • Whole of Life: This policy guarantees a payout whenever you die. It's more expensive and typically used for inheritance tax planning or to cover funeral costs.

How The LCIIP Shield Works in Practice

These three policies are designed to be a cohesive system.

PolicyPurposePayout TypeWhen It Pays
Income ProtectionReplaces lost salaryRegular Monthly IncomeAfter a deferred period, for any medical reason stopping you from working.
Critical IllnessClears debts, covers one-off costsTax-Free Lump SumOn diagnosis of a specific, serious condition listed in the policy.
Life InsuranceProvides for dependentsTax-Free Lump SumUpon your death during the policy term.

Real-World Scenario:

Sarah, a 42-year-old marketing manager, is diagnosed with breast cancer.

  1. Critical Illness Cover: Her £150,000 policy pays out. She uses it to clear the remaining £120,000 on her mortgage and puts £30,000 aside for future needs. Her largest monthly bill is now gone.
  2. Income Protection: After her 13-week employer sick pay ends (her chosen deferred period), her IP policy kicks in. It pays her £2,200 every month, allowing her to focus entirely on her treatment and recovery without worrying about bills.
  3. Life Insurance: Thankfully not needed, but it remains in place, giving her peace of mind that if the worst should happen, her children's financial future is secure.

Building Your Personalised Fortress: How to Structure Your Cover

There is no "one-size-fits-all" solution. Your protection portfolio must be tailored to your unique circumstances, including your income, debts, family situation, and budget.

How Much Cover Is Enough? A Guideline

  • Income Protection: Aim to cover 50-70% of your gross (pre-tax) income. Payouts are tax-free, so this level of cover should be sufficient to replace your take-home pay.
  • Critical Illness Cover: A good starting point is to cover your mortgage and any other large debts, plus 1-2 years of your annual salary to act as a financial buffer.
  • Life Insurance: A common rule of thumb is 10 times your annual salary. However, a more precise calculation would add up your mortgage, other debts, and estimate the future living costs for your family until your children are financially independent.

Making Protection Affordable

The cost of cover is determined by your age, health, smoker status, occupation, and the amount/length of cover you choose. While the thought of another monthly outgoing can be daunting, the cost of not being insured is infinitely higher.

Top Tips for Affordable Cover:

  1. Act Now: The younger and healthier you are when you take out a policy, the cheaper the premiums will be for the entire life of the plan.
  2. Review Your Health: Non-smokers pay significantly less. If you've quit smoking or vaping for over 12 months, you can secure much lower rates.
  3. Adjust the Terms: For Income Protection, choosing a longer deferred period (e.g., 26 weeks instead of 4) can dramatically reduce the cost. For CIC, you might choose a smaller lump sum focused solely on clearing the mortgage.
  4. Seek Expert Advice: This is the single most important step. An independent broker can make a world of difference. Navigating the market alone is complex; providers use different definitions and have different underwriting philosophies. A specialist brokerage like WeCovr does the heavy lifting for you, comparing policies from all the UK's leading insurers to find the right blend of comprehensive cover and value. We ensure you're not just buying a cheap policy, but the right policy.

Beyond the Payout: The Added Value of Modern Protection Policies

Today's insurance policies offer so much more than just a financial payout. Insurers have recognised the value in helping you stay healthy and recover faster. Most leading policies now come with a suite of "added value" benefits, often available to you and your family from the moment your policy starts, at no extra cost.

These can be a lifeline during a difficult time:

  • 24/7 Virtual GP: Skip the NHS waiting times and get a video consultation with a GP at a time that suits you, often with same-day prescription delivery.
  • Mental Health Support: Access to a specified number of counselling or therapy sessions to help you cope with stress, anxiety, or the emotional impact of a diagnosis.
  • Second Medical Opinion Services: If you receive a serious diagnosis, the insurer can arrange for your case to be reviewed by a world-leading expert, giving you peace of mind about your diagnosis and treatment plan.
  • Rehabilitation Support: Practical help to get you back on your feet, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and even career coaching to help you return to work.
  • Health & Wellbeing Apps: Tools and incentives to help you manage your health, from fitness tracking to nutrition advice.

At WeCovr, we champion this holistic approach to well-being. We believe that supporting our clients' health proactively is just as important as providing a financial safety net. That’s why, in addition to finding you the most suitable and comprehensive insurance policies, we provide all our customers with complimentary access to CalorieHero, our proprietary AI-powered calorie and nutrition tracking app. It's our way of going the extra mile, helping you build healthier habits for a better future.

Common Myths and Misconceptions Debunked

Misinformation often prevents people from getting the protection they desperately need. Let's tackle the most common myths head-on.

Myth 1: "I'm young and healthy, it won't happen to me." Fact: The "3 in 5" statistic proves this is wishful thinking. Illnesses like cancer, strokes, and MS frequently strike in your 30s and 40s. Accidents can happen to anyone at any time. Securing cover when you're young locks in the lowest possible premiums for life.

Myth 2: "The State will look after me." Fact: State support is a minimal safety net designed to prevent destitution, not maintain your lifestyle. Statutory Sick Pay is £121.50 a week. Long-term, you might be eligible for Universal Credit or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), but these are means-tested benefits that amount to a few hundred pounds a month, not enough to cover a mortgage and bills.

Myth 3: "I have cover through my employer." Fact: This is a dangerous assumption. While some employers offer excellent benefits, they are the exception.

  • Death in Service: This typically pays 2-4 times your salary. As we've seen, 10x is a more realistic starting point for a family.
  • Group Income Protection: This is a fantastic benefit, but very few companies offer it.
  • The Portability Trap: Crucially, any cover you have through work is tied to your job. When you leave, you lose it. Your personal policy belongs to you, regardless of who you work for.

Myth 4: "Insurers never pay out." Fact: This is one of the most damaging and persistent myths. The latest official figures from the Association of British Insurers (ABI) show that in 2024, the insurance industry paid out 97.6% of all protection claims, totalling over £7 billion. Claims are only declined in rare cases of non-disclosure (not being truthful on the application) or fraud.

Your Family's Future is Not a Game of Chance

The evidence is clear and the projections for 2026 are stark. A significant health event is a statistical likelihood for the majority of working Britons. Relying on luck, the state, or a limited employer benefits package is a gamble that your family cannot afford for you to lose.

The financial consequences of being unable to work are not a minor inconvenience; they are catastrophic, capable of wiping out a lifetime of savings and jeopardising your family's home, stability, and future prosperity.

But you have the power to change this outcome. By understanding the risks and taking proactive steps today, you can build a robust financial shield. A carefully structured portfolio of Life Insurance, Critical Illness Cover, and Income Protection provides a 360-degree defence, ensuring that money is the one thing you don't have to worry about during the most challenging time of your life.

The best time to put this protection in place was yesterday. The second-best time is right now. Don't wait for a health scare to force your hand.

Take control of your financial destiny. The team of expert advisers at WeCovr is ready to help you navigate the market, understand your options, and build a personalised LCIIP shield that fits your needs and your budget. We will compare the UK's leading insurers, explain the small print, and empower you to make an informed decision that will protect you and your loved ones, come what may.


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.

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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