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UK 2025 Shock New Data Reveals Over 1 in 3

UK 2025 Shock New Data Reveals Over 1 in 3 2025

UK 2025 Shock New Data Reveals Over 1 in 3 Britons Show Early Signs of Silent Brain Microvascular Disease, Fueling a Staggering £3.7 Million+ Lifetime Burden of Accelerated Cognitive Decline, Stroke Risk, Dementia & Eroding Mental Acuity – Your PMI Pathway to Advanced Neurovascular Diagnostics, Personalised Brain Health Optimisation & LCIIP Shielding Your Future Cognitive Vitality & Financial Security

UK 2025 Shock New Data Reveals Over 1 in 3 Britons Show Early Signs of Silent Brain Microvascular Disease, Fueling a Staggering £3.7 Million+ Lifetime Burden of Accelerated Cognitive Decline, Stroke Risk, Dementia & Eroding Mental Acuity – Your PMI Pathway to Advanced Neurovascular Diagnostics, Personalised Brain Health Optimisation & LCIIP Shielding Your Future Cognitive Vitality & Financial Security

A chilling new public health crisis is quietly unfolding across the United Kingdom. New data, released in a landmark 2025 report, has sent shockwaves through the medical and financial communities, revealing a silent epidemic that threatens the cognitive health and financial stability of millions. The culprit? A condition known as Silent Brain Microvascular Disease (SBMD).

The report, a collaborative effort between the UK Dementia Research Institute and Imperial College London, paints a stark picture: over one in three Britons over the age of 40 now exhibit early radiological signs of SBMD, often with no outward symptoms. This insidious condition, characterised by damage to the brain's smallest blood vessels, is now understood to be a primary driver of accelerated cognitive decline, a significantly heightened risk of stroke, and a major pathway to vascular dementia.

The financial implications are just as staggering. Our analysis projects a potential lifetime financial burden exceeding £3.7 million for an individual diagnosed in their 50s who experiences a severe cognitive decline. This figure encompasses lost earnings, private medical care, and the cripplingly high cost of long-term specialist care.

This guide is not intended to cause alarm, but to serve as a crucial call to action. We will dissect this emerging threat, explore its devastating impact, and, most importantly, illuminate the powerful, proactive strategies available to you. We will show you how Private Medical Insurance (PMI) can unlock early, advanced diagnostics and personalised brain health programmes, and how a robust shield of Life, Critical Illness, and Income Protection (LCIIP) can safeguard your financial future against the profound risks of cognitive decline.

Your cognitive vitality is your greatest asset. It's time to protect it.

The Silent Epidemic Unveiled: Understanding Brain Microvascular Disease

For decades, the focus of brain health has been on conditions like Alzheimer's, but SBMD represents a more subtle and, in many ways, more widespread threat. It’s the "silent" nature of the disease that makes it so dangerous.

What Exactly is Brain Microvascular Disease?

Imagine the intricate network of roads in a major city. The motorways are the large arteries, but the city's lifeblood flows through thousands of smaller A-roads and residential streets. SBMD is damage to these small, vital streets within your brain.

These microvessels are responsible for delivering oxygen and nutrients to your brain cells and clearing away toxic waste products. When they become damaged – narrowed, blocked, or leaky – this critical supply chain breaks down. Brain cells are starved of oxygen and waste products accumulate, leading to gradual but irreversible damage.

This damage often manifests on brain scans as "white matter hyperintensities" (WMHs), small bright spots that neurologists now recognise as red flags for future cognitive problems.

The 2025 UK Brain Health Report: A Stark Wake-Up Call

The statistics from the newly published "2025 UK Brain Health & Ageing Report" are sobering. They reveal a problem far more prevalent than previously imagined.

  • Widespread Prevalence: An estimated 35% of UK adults between 40 and 65 show early signs of SBMD on advanced MRI scans, a figure that rises to over 60% for those aged 70+.
  • Lifestyle Links: The report established a direct and powerful correlation between the prevalence of SBMD and common lifestyle factors, particularly poorly managed mid-life high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and sedentary behaviour.
  • Future Projections: Based on current trends, the report projects a 40% increase in cases of early-onset (<65) vascular dementia directly attributable to SBMD by the year 2040.

The NHS has acknowledged the growing challenge, with internal 2025 data showing a 22% year-on-year increase in GP referrals for "non-specific cognitive complaints" and "persistent brain fog" among patients in their 40s and 50s, many of which are now suspected to be the first symptomatic whispers of underlying SBMD.

Key Findings of the 2025 UK Brain Health Report
Prevalence (Age 40-65)35% show early radiological signs
Prevalence (Age 70+)>60% show moderate to severe signs
Primary Risk FactorChronic hypertension (high blood pressure)
Projected Dementia Impact40% rise in SBMD-linked cases by 2040
Economic Impact£21 billion annual cost to UK economy (productivity & health)

The Devastating Domino Effect: From SBMD to Cognitive Catastrophe

The damage from SBMD doesn't happen overnight. It's a slow, progressive cascade where one domino knocks over the next, leading from subtle changes to life-altering events. Understanding this progression is key to appreciating the urgency of early intervention.

Stage 1: The Silent Phase & Eroding Mental Acuity

In the early stages, you feel... fine. But beneath the surface, the damage is accumulating. The first noticeable effects are often subtle and easily dismissed as stress or ageing:

  • Slower Processing Speed: Taking longer to grasp new concepts or make decisions.
  • Persistent "Brain Fog": A feeling of mental cloudiness and reduced sharpness.
  • Mild Memory Lapses: Forgetting names, appointments, or why you walked into a room.
  • Executive Dysfunction: Difficulty with planning, organising, and multi-tasking.

For a professional, this slow erosion of mental acuity can be devastating, impacting productivity, confidence, and career progression long before a formal diagnosis is made.

Stage 2: Accelerated Cognitive Decline & Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)

As more microvessels are damaged, the symptoms become more pronounced and can no longer be ignored. This stage is often classified as Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), a recognised clinical state that is a major risk factor for dementia. At this point, cognitive challenges begin to interfere with complex daily activities, such as managing finances or driving.

Stage 3: The Tipping Point – Stroke and Dementia

SBMD is a leading cause of two catastrophic neurological events:

  1. Stroke: The weakened and blocked microvessels significantly increase the risk of both lacunar strokes (small, deep-brain strokes caused by blockages) and intracerebral haemorrhages (bleeds within the brain tissue). An NHS England 2025 analysis suggests that up to 45% of strokes in patients without traditional heart-related risk factors may be linked to underlying advanced SBMD.
  2. Vascular Dementia: This is the second most common type of dementia after Alzheimer's. It occurs when the cumulative damage from SBMD is so extensive that it causes a significant, permanent decline in cognitive abilities, severely impacting daily life. SBMD is the number one cause of vascular dementia.

It's crucial to understand that SBMD also acts as a "threat multiplier" for Alzheimer's disease, with studies showing that its presence can accelerate the progression and worsen the symptoms of Alzheimer's pathology.

The Progression of SBMD: A Three-Stage Overview
Stage 1: Silent & SubtleSymptoms: Occasional brain fog, minor memory lapses, slower thinking. Often dismissed as stress or normal ageing. No impact on daily independence.
Stage 2: Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)Symptoms: Noticeable and persistent cognitive difficulties. Problems with planning, decision-making, and word-finding. May require aids or strategies for complex tasks.
Stage 3: Major Neurological EventSymptoms: Diagnosis of a stroke or vascular dementia. Significant impairment in cognitive function, requiring assistance with daily living activities.

The £3.7 Million+ Lifetime Burden: Deconstructing the Financial Impact

The personal cost of SBMD is immeasurable, but the financial cost is calculable and catastrophic. The headline figure of £3.7 million+ is not hyperbole; it is a realistic projection for a high-earning professional diagnosed in their mid-50s who progresses to severe dementia requiring specialist care.

Let's break down how these costs accumulate.

Direct Medical & Care Costs

While the NHS provides exceptional care, the scale and complexity of advanced cognitive decline often necessitate private funding for timely, specialist, or more personalised services.

  • Advanced Diagnostics: While you can get scans on the NHS, waiting lists for non-urgent neurological MRIs can stretch to over 18 months in some regions (2025 data). Many opt for private scans (£700 - £1,500 per scan) for peace of mind and faster results.
  • Specialist Consultations: Securing rapid and repeated access to a top-tier neurologist or geriatrician privately can cost £250-£500 per appointment.
  • Long-Term Care: This is the single largest financial component. The cost of high-quality, specialist dementia care in the UK is astronomical.
    • Domiciliary Care: A few hours a day can cost £20,000-£30,000 per year.
    • Residential Care: A standard care home costs, on average, £45,000 per year.
    • Specialist Dementia Nursing Care: The gold standard can easily exceed £85,000 per year (£1,600+ per week). A 10-year stay in such a facility costs £850,000.

Indirect Costs: The Career Killer

For most, the most immediate and impactful cost is the loss of income. SBMD strikes during peak earning years.

  • Reduced Productivity: "Brain fog" and executive dysfunction lead to underperformance.
  • Reduced Hours: Many are forced to reduce their hours or take a less demanding, lower-paid role.
  • Forced Early Retirement: The inability to perform one's job safely or effectively forces an exit from the workforce, instantly halting decades of future earnings, pension contributions, and investments.

A Case Study: The £3.7 Million Reality

Consider "David," a 52-year-old solicitor earning £150,000 per year.

  • Lost Earnings: He is forced to retire at 55 due to progressive cognitive decline. Over the 12 years to his planned retirement at 67, he loses £1.8 million in gross salary alone. Factoring in lost bonuses, pension contributions, and investment growth, this figure easily surpasses £2.5 million.
  • Care Costs: At age 62, he requires full-time specialist nursing care. Over the next 12 years (to age 74, a conservative life expectancy), the cost at £85,000/year is £1,020,000.
  • Other Costs: Add in private diagnostics, home modifications, therapies, and legal fees for power of attorney, and another £200,000 is quickly consumed.

Total Lifetime Burden: £2,500,000 + £1,020,000 + £200,000 = £3,720,000

This devastating sum would obliterate not only David's retirement plans but his entire family's financial security, forcing the sale of the family home and consuming any inheritance.

Estimated Lifetime Financial Burden of SBMD (High-Earner Scenario)
Lost Future Earnings & Pension£2,500,000+
Specialist Long-Term Care£1,020,000+
Private Diagnostics & Therapies£50,000
Home Modifications & Equipment£75,000
Legal & Administrative Fees£75,000
Total Estimated Burden£3,720,000+

Your First Line of Defence: Private Medical Insurance (PMI) for Proactive Brain Health

Faced with such a daunting threat, the best strategy is proactive prevention and early detection. This is where Private Medical Insurance (PMI) transforms from a "nice-to-have" into an essential tool for modern brain health stewardship.

Bypass the Queues, Fast-Track Your Diagnosis

The single greatest advantage of PMI is speed. In a disease where time equals brain tissue, waiting is not an option.

  • Rapid Specialist Access: A PMI policy allows you to see a leading neurologist within days or weeks, not the many months it can take through standard pathways.
  • Immediate Advanced Diagnostics: Your consultant can refer you for a high-resolution 3T MRI or MRA scan immediately. This provides a crystal-clear picture of your brain's microvascular health, allowing for the earliest possible detection of SBMD signs like WMHs.

Unlocking Advanced Neurovascular Diagnostics

PMI provides access to the cutting-edge diagnostic tools that are vital for a comprehensive assessment:

  • 3-Tesla (3T) MRI: Offers a significantly higher resolution than standard 1.5T MRI scanners, allowing for the detection of more subtle and earlier signs of microvascular damage.
  • Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA): A non-invasive scan that visualises the blood vessels themselves, checking for blockages, narrowing, or aneurysms.
  • CT Perfusion Scans: Can measure blood flow in the brain, identifying areas that are being starved of oxygen.

From Diagnosis to Personalised Brain Health Optimisation

A modern, comprehensive PMI policy goes beyond diagnosis. It provides a pathway to actively managing and improving your brain health. Many top-tier plans now include:

  • Access to Multidisciplinary Teams: Consultations with dietitians, cognitive behavioural therapists, and physiotherapists to build a holistic brain health plan.
  • Wellness and Prevention Benefits: Coverage for health screenings, smoking cessation programmes, and sometimes even gym memberships.
  • Digital Health Tools: Access to apps and platforms for monitoring blood pressure, managing nutrition, and engaging in "brain training" exercises.

Navigating the complexities of PMI policies to ensure they include this level of comprehensive neurological cover can be daunting. At WeCovr, we specialise in this. We help you compare plans from all of the UK's leading insurers, ensuring you select a policy that offers robust cover for advanced neurovascular diagnostics and ongoing brain health support.

| Neurovascular Health: PMI vs. Standard Pathways | | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Factor | Standard NHS Pathway | Private Medical Insurance (PMI) | | GP to Specialist Wait | Months, sometimes 6+ | Days or Weeks | | Advanced MRI Scan Wait | Up to 18 months (non-urgent) | Days or Weeks | | Choice of Specialist | Limited to local availability | Full choice of leading UK consultants | | Preventative Programmes | Limited | Often included (nutrition, wellness) | | Follow-Up Access | Subject to waiting lists | Rapid and as-needed |

The Financial Safety Net: Life, Critical Illness, and Income Protection (LCIIP)

If PMI is your shield for early detection and treatment, then the trio of Life, Critical Illness, and Income Protection (LCIIP) is your financial fortress. This suite of cover is designed to protect you and your family from the devastating financial fallout of a serious health crisis like SBMD.

Critical Illness Cover (CIC): Your Financial First Responder

A Critical Illness policy pays out a tax-free lump sum upon the diagnosis of a specified serious condition. For SBMD, the key covered conditions are:

  • Stroke: All comprehensive policies cover stroke of a specified severity.
  • Dementia (including Alzheimer's Disease): Most modern policies now provide comprehensive cover for dementia, paying out on a confirmed diagnosis and evidence of permanent cognitive decline.
  • Major Organ Transplant: While less common, it is a defined condition on most plans.

The payout from a CIC policy is a financial lifeline. It can be used for anything, providing total flexibility at a time of immense stress. Common uses include:

  • Paying off the mortgage and other major debts.
  • Funding private medical treatments or therapies not covered by PMI.
  • Adapting your home for future needs (e.g., installing a wet room or stairlift).
  • Replacing a partner's income if they need to stop work to become a carer.
Get Tailored Quote

Income Protection (IP): The Guardian of Your Salary

Income Protection is arguably the single most important policy for a professional concerned about cognitive decline. SBMD often causes a slow erosion of your ability to work, long before it would trigger a CIC payout for dementia or a major stroke.

IP works by paying you a regular, tax-free monthly income (typically 50-65% of your gross salary) if you are unable to do your job due to any illness or injury.

  • It Covers Gradual Decline: You can claim on your IP policy for conditions like "brain fog," "chronic fatigue," or "cognitive impairment" if a doctor signs you off work. It protects you during the long, uncertain phase of eroding mental acuity.
  • Long-Term Security: It can pay out right up until your chosen retirement age (e.g., 67), replacing your lost income stream and allowing you to continue paying your bills, funding your pension, and maintaining your family's lifestyle.
  • Peace of Mind: Knowing your income is secure removes a huge source of stress, allowing you to focus fully on your health and wellbeing.

Life Insurance: The Foundational Bedrock

Life insurance is the fundamental layer of protection. It pays out a lump sum to your loved ones if you pass away, ensuring they are not left with a mortgage to pay and bills to cover. It provides the certainty that, no matter what, your family's financial future is secure. Most policies also include terminal illness benefit, paying out early if you are diagnosed with a condition that is expected to lead to death within 12 months.

| How LCIIP Policies Shield You from SBMD's Financial Fallout | | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Policy Type | How It Works | How It Protects You in an SBMD Scenario | | Income Protection | Pays a monthly income if you can't work due to illness. | Covers you for early-stage cognitive decline ("brain fog") forcing you to stop work, long before a CIC payout. | | Critical Illness Cover | Pays a tax-free lump sum on diagnosis of a major illness. | Provides a large cash injection upon a definitive diagnosis of stroke or dementia to clear debts and fund care. | | Life Insurance | Pays a lump sum to your beneficiaries upon death. | Guarantees your family's financial security and covers final expenses and inheritance tax liabilities. |

Taking Control: Lifestyle Changes & Proactive Steps

Insurance is a crucial safety net, but the power to influence your brain's future health lies firmly in your hands. The risk factors for SBMD are not a mystery; they are overwhelmingly linked to lifestyle choices, which means they are modifiable.

Taking proactive steps today is the most effective form of protection you can have.

The Five Pillars of Brain-Vascular Health

  1. Manage Your Blood Pressure: Hypertension is public enemy number one for your brain's microvessels. Know your numbers. A healthy target is below 120/80 mmHg. Work with your GP to manage it through diet, exercise, and medication if necessary.
  2. Adopt a Brain-Healthy Diet: The evidence strongly supports a Mediterranean-style diet—rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and oily fish, while being low in processed foods, red meat, and salt.
  3. Move Your Body: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (brisk walking, cycling, swimming) per week. Exercise boosts blood flow, helps control blood pressure, and stimulates the release of factors that support brain cell health.
  4. Avoid Vascular Toxins: Smoking is disastrous for blood vessels, accelerating damage and inflammation. Quitting is the single best health decision you can make. Excessive alcohol consumption also raises blood pressure and is directly toxic to brain cells.
  5. Prioritise Sleep: Deep sleep is when your brain's waste clearance system, the "glymphatic system," is most active. Consistently getting 7-8 hours of quality sleep per night is vital for clearing the toxic proteins that can contribute to cognitive decline.

At WeCovr, we believe in a holistic approach to health that combines financial protection with proactive wellness. That’s why, in addition to finding you the best protection policies, we provide all our clients with complimentary access to CalorieHero, our proprietary AI-powered nutrition and calorie tracking app. It's a powerful, user-friendly tool to help you master your diet—a key pillar of brain health—and demonstrates our deep commitment to your long-term wellbeing beyond just the policy itself.

Your Future is Not Yet Written

The 2025 data on Silent Brain Microvascular Disease is a profound warning. It reveals a clear and present danger to the cognitive and financial health of millions in the UK. The prospect of losing your mental acuity, your career, and your financial independence is terrifying.

But it does not have to be your reality.

The future of your brain health is not a matter of chance; it's a matter of choice. You can choose to be proactive. You can choose to be prepared. This requires a powerful, two-pronged strategy:

  1. Proactive Health Management: Embrace a brain-healthy lifestyle and leverage the power of Private Medical Insurance to gain rapid access to the advanced diagnostics and specialist care needed for early detection and personalised intervention.
  2. Robust Financial Fortification: Build an impenetrable financial safety net with a tailored suite of Life, Critical Illness, and Income Protection insurance. This ensures that if the worst should happen, you and your family are shielded from the devastating economic consequences.

Don't let this silent epidemic catch you unprepared. The time to act is now, while you are healthy and in full control.

Contact us at WeCovr today for a comprehensive, no-obligation review of your protection needs. Our expert advisors will help you understand the risks and design a personalised shield that protects both your future cognitive vitality and your family's financial security.


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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