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UK 2025 The 15-Year Health Trap

UK 2025 The 15-Year Health Trap 2025 | Top Insurance Guides

UK 2025 Shock New Data Reveals The Average Briton Will Spend 15+ Years Living With Significant Ill Health Or Disability, Fueling a Staggering £3.7 Million+ Lifetime Financial Catastrophe Of Lost Earnings, Escalating Care Costs & Eroding Family Legacy – Is Your LCIIP Shield Your Unseen Defence Against A Prolonged Health Battle & Its Devastating Financial Wake

It’s a future none of us plans for, yet one that new data suggests is becoming the startling reality for millions. We are living longer than ever before, a testament to modern medicine. But there's a dark underbelly to this progress: we are not necessarily living healthier for longer.

A sobering new analysis for 2025 reveals a profound disconnect between our lifespan and our "healthspan." The average Briton is now projected to spend over 15 years of their adult life battling a significant illness or disability. This isn't a brief interruption; it's a long, challenging chapter that can redefine our later years.

This "15-Year Health Trap" is more than a personal health crisis. It’s a ticking financial time bomb. The combined impact of losing your ability to earn, the spiralling costs of care, and the systematic erosion of a lifetime's savings can create a financial catastrophe exceeding £3.7 million for a typical professional household.

This isn't about scaremongering. It's about facing a new reality with clear eyes and a solid plan. In this definitive guide, we will unpack these shocking figures, expose the hidden financial dangers of long-term ill health, and reveal how a robust Life, Critical Illness, and Income Protection (LCIIP) shield is no longer a "nice-to-have," but an essential defence for every family in the UK.

The Unsettling Truth: Deconstructing the 15-Year Health Trap

For decades, we’ve measured national progress by rising life expectancy. But this single metric masks a more complex and concerning truth. The crucial measure we should be watching is Healthy Life Expectancy (HLE) – the number of years we can expect to live in good health.

Metric (Based on 2025 Projections)At Birth - MaleAt Birth - FemaleAt Age 65 - MaleAt Age 65 - Female
Life Expectancy80.1 years83.8 years19.0 years21.4 years
Healthy Life Expectancy62.4 years62.7 years9.2 years9.5 years
Years in Poor Health17.7 years21.1 years9.8 years11.9 years

Source: Projected analysis based on ONS Health-state life expectancies, UK.

The data is stark. A baby girl born today can expect to live nearly 84 years, but over 21 of those years—a quarter of her entire life—are likely to be spent managing ill health. For those currently in their working years, the prospect of spending a decade or more of their retirement in poor health is now the statistical norm.

What's Fuelling This Health Crisis?

This isn't a single-cause problem. It's a perfect storm of several converging factors:

  • Medical Miracles with a Caveat: We are now surviving illnesses that were once a death sentence. Survival rates for many cancers, strokes, and heart attacks have improved dramatically. However, survival doesn't always mean a full recovery. Many survivors live with long-term, debilitating side effects that impact their ability to work and live independently.
  • The Rise of Chronic Conditions: Lifestyle-related diseases are at epidemic levels. An estimated 5 million people in the UK now live with diabetes, while cardiovascular disease and chronic respiratory conditions affect millions more. These are not short-term illnesses; they are lifelong battles.
  • An Ageing Population: As the baby boomer generation moves into retirement and beyond, the prevalence of age-related conditions like dementia, arthritis, and mobility issues is surging.
  • The Mental Health Pandemic: Mental health conditions are now a leading cause of work absence in the UK. This isn't just about the aches and pains of getting older. This is about years, even decades, of being unable to work, requiring daily assistance, and facing a fundamental loss of independence, all while watching your financial security evaporate.

The £3.7 Million+ Financial Catastrophe: A Line-by-Line Breakdown

The emotional and physical toll of long-term illness is immeasurable. The financial cost, however, can be calculated—and the figures are staggering. The £3.7 million+ figure isn't hyperbole; it's a realistic projection for a higher-earning dual-income household where one partner suffers a career-ending illness at age 45.

Let's break down how this financial vortex is created.

1. The Annihilation of Earning Power (£1.6M - £2.5M+)

This is the largest and most immediate financial shock. When a serious illness strikes, your income doesn't just dip; it can vanish entirely, often for decades.

Consider a 45-year-old professional earning £80,000 a year who suffers a severe stroke and is unable to return to work.

  • Lost Gross Salary: 22 years of lost earnings (until age 67) amounts to £1,760,000. This doesn't even account for inflation, promotions, or bonuses.
  • Impact on Partner's Income: The healthy partner often becomes a part-time or full-time carer, forced to reduce their hours or leave their job. If a partner earning £50,000 reduces their hours by half for 15 years, that's another £375,000 in lost income.
  • Destroyed Pension Contributions: The loss of two decades of employer and employee pension contributions can decimate a retirement plan. A combined 10% contribution on that £80,000 salary is £8,000 a year. Over 22 years, with modest investment growth, this can easily represent a £500,000 - £750,000 hole in your final pension pot.

Total Potential Loss from Earnings & Pension: £2,635,000 - £2,885,000

2. The Crushing Weight of Care Costs (£500,000 - £1,200,000+)

This is the cost people rarely plan for. While the NHS is a national treasure, it does not cover social care—the help you need with daily living, like washing, dressing, and eating. This is means-tested, and if you have assets (including your home), you will be expected to pay.

2025 care costs are eye-watering and continue to rise well above inflation.

Type of CareAverage Annual Cost (2025 Projection)Cost Over 15 Years
Domiciliary Care (at home)£25,000 - £45,000 (for 20-30 hours/week)£375,000 - £675,000
Residential Care Home£48,000 - £65,000£720,000 - £975,000
Nursing Home (with medical care)£65,000 - £90,000+£975,000 - £1,350,000
Live-in Care£80,000 - £150,000£1,200,000 - £2,250,000

Source: Analysis based on LaingBuisson & Age UK data, projected for 2025.

For someone needing nursing home care for the final 10-12 years of their 15-year health trap, the bill can easily surpass £1 million. This is a cost that depletes savings, investments, and ultimately, forces the sale of the family home—the cornerstone of most people's wealth.

3. The Unseen & Escalating Expenses (£50,000 - £150,000+)

Beyond the major costs, a thousand smaller expenses bleed a family's finances dry:

  • Home Adaptations: Stairlifts (£3,000-£5,000), wet rooms (£5,000-£10,000), ramps, and widened doorways can quickly add up.
  • Specialist Equipment: A high-end wheelchair can cost £5,000+, and other mobility aids add thousands more.
  • Increased Bills: Being at home more increases utility bills. Specialist medical equipment can also be energy-intensive.
  • Private Medical Care: With NHS waiting lists for certain procedures and therapies stretching for months or even years, many families turn to the private sector for faster treatment, costing tens of thousands.
  • Travel & Transport: Frequent hospital appointments, fuel, parking, and potentially needing a specially adapted vehicle all add up.

The Lifetime Financial Catastrophe: A Summary

When you combine these factors for our hypothetical 45-year-old professional's household, the £3.7 million+ figure becomes horrifyingly clear.

  • Lost Earnings (self + partner): £2,135,000
  • Lost Pension Value: £600,000
  • 10 Years of Nursing Care: £800,000
  • Adaptations & Indirect Costs: £100,000
  • Initial Private Treatment: £50,000
  • Total Financial Impact: £3,685,000

This catastrophic sum represents not just lost income, but the complete demolition of a family's financial legacy, wiping out inheritances and leaving the surviving partner in a precarious position.

The State Safety Net: A Patchwork Quilt Full of Holes?

A common and dangerous assumption is that "the state will provide." While there is a safety net, it's far smaller and more difficult to access than most people believe. Relying on it is like expecting a plaster to heal a life-changing injury.

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)

If you're employed, your employer must pay you SSP if you're too ill to work. In 2025, this is just £116.75 per week, and it only lasts for a maximum of 28 weeks. After that, you're on your own.

Long-Term Sickness Benefits

Once SSP runs out, you can apply for benefits like Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

Benefit Type2025 Weekly Amount (Approx.)Annual EquivalentAverage UK Full-Time Salary (2025)
Employment & Support Allowance~£138.20 (for support group)~£7,186£36,500
Personal Independence Payment~£184.30 (enhanced rate for both parts)~£9,583£36,500
Total Potential State Support~£322.50 per week~£16,769£36,500

Note: Figures are illustrative 2025 projections. Eligibility for the maximum amount is extremely difficult to achieve.

Even if you qualify for the maximum support available—a long and often stressful process—you would receive less than half the average UK salary, and a fraction of what a higher-rate taxpayer earns. It's enough to prevent destitution, but not enough to pay a mortgage, support a family, or maintain your standard of living.

The message is clear: the state safety net is designed to provide a basic subsistence level of support, not to replace your income and protect your family's financial future.

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Your LCIIP Shield: The Triple-Layered Defence Against Financial Ruin

If the state won't protect you, and your savings can be wiped out in a matter of years, what is the solution? The answer lies in a robust, personally tailored financial protection plan, often referred to as an LCIIP Shield: Life, Critical Illness, and Income Protection insurance.

These three policies work together to create a comprehensive defence against the financial consequences of long-term illness and death.

Layer 1: Income Protection (IP) – The Foundation

What it is: Income Protection is arguably the most important financial protection product for any working adult. It pays you a regular, tax-free monthly income if you are unable to work due to any illness or injury.

How it works:

  • You choose a benefit amount, typically 50-70% of your gross salary. This is designed to cover your essential outgoings without disincentivising a return to work.
  • You select a deferment period, which is the time you wait before the payments start. This can be anything from 4 weeks to 12 months. Aligning this with your employer's sick pay period is a smart way to keep costs down.
  • The policy pays out every month until you can return to work, the policy term ends (typically at your planned retirement age), or you pass away.

Why it’s crucial: It replaces the single biggest loss: your salary. It is the bedrock of your financial defence, ensuring the bills get paid month after month, year after year, protecting your family from the immediate financial shock. It's the policy that tackles the long, drawn-out battle of the "15-Year Health Trap."

Layer 2: Critical Illness Cover (CIC) – The Lump Sum Powerhouse

What it is: Critical Illness Cover pays out a one-off, tax-free lump sum on the diagnosis of a specific, serious illness defined in the policy.

How it works: The number of conditions covered has expanded significantly in recent years, but the "big three" remain cancer, heart attack, and stroke, which account for the vast majority of claims.

Common Conditions Covered by a Comprehensive CIC Policy:

  • Cancer (of specified severity)
  • Heart Attack
  • Stroke
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Major Organ Transplant
  • Kidney Failure
  • Permanent Blindness or Deafness
  • Motor Neurone Disease
  • Parkinson's Disease
  • Dementia / Alzheimer's Disease

Why it’s crucial: The lump sum provides immediate financial firepower. It gives you choices when you need them most. You could use it to:

  • Clear your mortgage, removing your biggest monthly expense overnight.
  • Fund private medical treatment to bypass NHS queues.
  • Pay for home adaptations.
  • Allow a partner to take a year off work to support you.
  • Simply provide a financial cushion to reduce stress and allow you to focus on recovery.

Layer 3: Life Insurance – The Ultimate Legacy Protector

What it is: Life Insurance (or Life Cover) pays out a lump sum or a regular income to your beneficiaries if you die during the policy term.

How it works: It’s the simplest form of protection. You choose the amount of cover and the length of the term. If you pass away within that term, the policy pays out.

Why it’s crucial: While IP and CIC protect you during illness, Life Insurance protects your family after you're gone. It ensures that even in the worst-case scenario:

  • Your family can stay in their home.
  • Your children’s future education costs are covered.
  • All outstanding debts are cleared.
  • Your partner has the financial security to grieve without immediate financial pressure.

Together, these three policies form a shield that defends against every angle of a health catastrophe: IP replaces lost income, CIC provides an immediate cash injection, and Life Insurance secures your family's future.

Real-World Scenarios: How LCIIP Works in Practice

Let's revisit our earlier examples to see the transformative difference a proper protection plan makes.

Case Study 1: Sarah, the 42-year-old Marketing Manager

Sarah earns £60,000 and has a £250,000 mortgage. She is diagnosed with breast cancer.

Scenario A: Without LCIIP Sarah receives Statutory Sick Pay for 28 weeks (£3,269 total). Her company sick pay runs out after 3 months. She and her partner raid their £20,000 savings to cover the mortgage and bills. The stress is immense. She faces a long NHS wait for reconstructive surgery, delaying her emotional recovery.

Scenario B: With a WeCovr LCIIP Plan

  • Critical Illness Cover: Her £250,000 CIC policy pays out upon diagnosis. She uses it to completely clear her mortgage. Her biggest financial worry is gone. She uses a further £20,000 to have her reconstructive surgery done privately, helping her feel whole again sooner.
  • Income Protection: After her 6-month deferment period, her IP policy starts paying her £3,000 a month (60% of gross salary), tax-free. This replaces her lost income, allowing her to pay her bills and contribute to the household without touching her remaining CIC lump sum.

The Result: Sarah can focus 100% on her treatment and recovery, free from financial terror. Her family's financial stability is completely preserved.

Case Study 2: David, the 38-year-old Electrician

David is self-employed, earning around £45,000 a year. He suffers a serious fall from a ladder, resulting in a permanent spinal injury that means he can never work as an electrician again.

Scenario A: Without LCIIP As a self-employed person, David has no sick pay. He applies for state benefits, but the process is slow and the amount he receives is barely enough to cover his family's food and utility bills, let alone the mortgage. They are forced to sell their home within two years.

Scenario B: With a WeCovr LCIIP Plan

  • Income Protection: David had the foresight to take out an IP policy designed for manual workers. After a 3-month deferment period, it begins to pay him £2,250 a month, tax-free. This continues every month.
  • The policy pays out until his chosen retirement age of 67. Over the next 29 years, David will receive £783,000 tax-free from his insurer.

The Result: While his life has changed forever, his family's finances have not. They stay in their home, his children's lives are not disrupted, and they maintain their standard of living. His policy has become the new breadwinner for the family.

Demystifying the Costs and Process: Is Protection Affordable?

The biggest myth about this type of insurance is that it's prohibitively expensive. In reality, for a healthy individual, the cost is often a tiny fraction of the income it protects. It's a matter of priorities—the cost of a few weekly coffees to protect your entire salary.

Here are some illustrative monthly premiums for a healthy non-smoker.

AgeIncome Protection (£2,500/month)Critical Illness (£100k)Life Insurance (£300k)Example Combined Monthly Premium
30£35£12£14~£61
40£55£25£22~£102
50£90£60£50~£200

Premiums are for illustrative purposes only and can vary significantly based on individual circumstances, health, occupation, and insurer.

The key is that you don't have to take an "all or nothing" approach. This is where getting expert advice is non-negotiable. A specialist broker like WeCovr can help you navigate the entire market. We don't work for one insurer; we work for you. Our role is to:

  1. Understand Your Needs: We analyse your income, debts, family situation, and budget.
  2. Compare the Market: We search policies from all the UK's leading insurers to find the best cover and definitions for your circumstances.
  3. Tailor Your Plan: We help you adjust cover amounts, terms, and deferment periods to build a comprehensive LCIIP shield that fits your budget.

As a bonus for our clients, we provide complimentary access to our AI-powered calorie tracking app, CalorieHero, because we believe in supporting your health journey every step of the way, not just your financial one.

The Dangers of Delay: Why Acting Now is Crucial

There are two fundamental truths when it comes to protection insurance:

  1. It will never be cheaper for you than it is today. Premiums are based on age and health. The older you get, the more expensive it becomes.
  2. You can only buy it when you don't need it. Once you have a significant health diagnosis, cover can become extremely expensive with exclusions, or you may be unable to get it at any price.

Delaying the decision is a gamble with the highest possible stakes. Securing your LCIIP shield while you are young and healthy is one of the most financially astute decisions you will ever make.

Your Action Plan: Securing Your Financial Future in 4 Simple Steps

Feeling overwhelmed? Don't be. Taking control is simpler than you think. Follow this four-step plan to build your defence.

  1. Step 1: Conduct a Financial Health Check.

    • Income: What is your monthly take-home pay?
    • Outgoings: What are your essential monthly costs (mortgage/rent, bills, food, travel)?
    • Existing Cover: What sick pay does your employer offer, and for how long? Do you have any "death in service" benefits?
    • Savings: What is your financial cushion? How many months could it sustain you for?
  2. Step 2: Calculate Your 'Protection Gap'. This is the difference between the monthly income your family needs and what they would have from savings and state support if your salary stopped. This gap is the amount your Income Protection policy needs to fill.

  3. Step 3: Seek Expert, Independent Advice. This is the most critical step. The protection market is complex, with huge variations in policy definitions. What constitutes a "heart attack" or "cancer" can differ between insurers. Using a specialist broker like WeCovr is invaluable. Our experts ensure you don't just get a cheap policy, but the right policy that will actually pay out when you need it most.

  4. Step 4: Review and Adapt. Your protection needs are not static. Major life events—getting married, buying a home, having children, getting a promotion—should all trigger a review of your cover to ensure your LCIIP shield remains fit for purpose.

Beyond the Statistics: Protecting What Truly Matters

The "15-Year Health Trap" and the "£3.7 Million Financial Catastrophe" are not just numbers on a page. They represent a future of stress, hardship, and lost dreams for families across Britain.

But this future is not inevitable.

By understanding the risks and taking proactive, affordable steps today, you can erect a financial fortress around yourself and your loved ones. An LCIIP shield is more than an insurance policy; it's peace of mind. It's the freedom to focus on recovery, not bills. It's the ability to preserve your dignity, your home, and your family's legacy, no matter what health challenges life throws your way.

Don't wait for the storm to hit. Build your shield now.


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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