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UK Autoimmune Crisis 1 in 7 Britons Affected

UK Autoimmune Crisis 1 in 7 Britons Affected 2025

UK 2025 Shock Data Reveals Over 1 in 7 Britons Will Battle a Chronic Autoimmune Disease, Fueling a Staggering £4 Million+ Lifetime Burden of Debilitating Pain, Unfunded Advanced Treatments, Career Collapse & Eroding Family Futures – Is Your LCIIP Shield Your Unseen Defence Against Invisible Illnesses

A silent health crisis is gathering storm across the United Kingdom. It doesn't always show on the outside, but for millions, it's a daily battle against their own bodies. Projections for 2025, based on startling new analysis of NHS and academic research trends, indicate that more than 1 in 7 people in the UK – over 10 million individuals – will be living with a chronic autoimmune disease.

This isn't just a health statistic; it's a looming financial catastrophe for families nationwide. The lifetime burden of an autoimmune diagnosis can spiral, potentially exceeding a staggering £4.2 million in a severe case. This figure encapsulates not just the immediate costs of treatment but a devastating combination of lost earnings from career interruption, the high price of private care to bypass NHS waiting lists, and the long-term erosion of a family's financial future.

These conditions are often termed 'invisible illnesses'. You might look perfectly healthy, but beneath the surface, you could be grappling with chronic pain, profound fatigue, and debilitating symptoms that make work, family life, and simple daily tasks an immense struggle.

In this definitive guide, we will unpack the scale of the UK's autoimmune crisis, deconstruct the true financial toll, and explore how a robust financial safety net – comprising Life Insurance, Critical Illness Cover, and Income Protection (LCIIP) – can serve as your essential, unseen defence against the profound uncertainties of a chronic diagnosis.

The Hidden Epidemic: Unpacking the UK's 2025 Autoimmune Crisis

The term 'epidemic' is often associated with infectious diseases, but the relentless rise of autoimmune conditions in the UK warrants the same level of urgency. Research published in prestigious journals like The Lancet has highlighted a significant increase in the prevalence of autoimmune disorders over the past two decades.

Extrapolating from current trends, the 2025 projection of 1 in 7 Britons affected is a conservative estimate. This sharp increase is attributed to a complex mix of factors, including improved diagnostic methods, genetic predispositions, and a range of environmental triggers from modern lifestyles, diet, and exposure to new chemicals and pollutants.

There are over 80 different types of autoimmune diseases, but some are becoming increasingly common household names in the UK.

Common Autoimmune Diseases in the UK:

  • Rheumatoid Arthritis: An inflammatory condition primarily affecting the joints, causing pain, swelling, and potential deformity. Affects over 450,000 people in the UK.
  • Type 1 Diabetes: The body's immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Over 400,000 people are living with it in the UK.
  • Multiple Sclerosis (MS): A condition affecting the brain and spinal cord, causing a wide range of symptoms including fatigue, mobility issues, and cognitive problems. Over 130,000 people are affected in the UK.
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn's Disease & Ulcerative Colitis): Chronic inflammation of the digestive tract. Affects around 1 in every 123 people in the UK.
  • Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (Lupus): A complex condition that can affect many parts of the body, including the skin, joints, and internal organs.
  • Psoriasis: A skin condition that can also lead to psoriatic arthritis, a related joint problem. Affects around 2% of the UK population.

Prevalence of Key Autoimmune Conditions in the UK (2025 Projections)

ConditionEstimated UK Population Affected (2025)Key Challenge
Rheumatoid Arthritis480,000+Chronic pain, joint damage, work disability
Type 1 Diabetes425,000+Lifelong insulin dependency, risk of complications
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)135,000+Unpredictable relapses, progressive disability
Crohn's & Colitis (IBD)550,000+Severe digestive symptoms, frequent hospitalisation
Lupus (SLE)55,000+Multi-system impact, severe fatigue

This isn't just about numbers. Each statistic represents an individual, a family, and a life irrevocably changed by a diagnosis that often takes years of uncertainty and misdiagnosis to confirm.

The £4.2 Million Lifetime Burden: Deconstructing the True Cost of an Autoimmune Diagnosis

The £4.2 million figure may seem shocking, but it becomes frighteningly plausible when you dissect the lifelong financial impact of a severe, early-onset autoimmune diagnosis. This is a potential maximum burden, not an average, but it illustrates the catastrophic financial risk that families face.

Let's break down the components of this potential financial vortex.

1. Direct Healthcare Costs: Beyond the NHS

While the NHS provides exceptional care, it is not a bottomless resource. For many autoimmune patients, the reality involves significant out-of-pocket expenses.

  • Advanced Treatments: Ground-breaking biologic drugs can transform lives but come with a hefty price tag (£10,000 - £20,000+ per year). Access on the NHS can be subject to a 'postcode lottery' or strict eligibility criteria, forcing some to fund it privately.
  • Private Consultations & Diagnostics: The average wait to see an NHS rheumatologist or neurologist can be months. A private consultation can cost £250-£400, with an MRI scan adding another £500-£1,000, simply to get a faster diagnosis.
  • Supportive Therapies: Specialist physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, occupational therapy, and nutritional advice are crucial for managing symptoms. While sometimes available on the NHS, access is limited, leading many to pay privately at £50-£100 per session.
  • Prescriptions: For those in England with multiple medications, prescription costs can accumulate over a lifetime.

2. Career Collapse: The Loss of Future Earnings

This is the single largest contributor to the lifetime financial burden. An autoimmune disease often strikes in a person's prime earning years (20s, 30s, or 40s).

  • Reduced Hours or Quitting Work: Debilitating fatigue, unpredictable flare-ups, and chronic pain make it impossible for many to continue in a full-time, demanding career.
  • Lost Salary: A 35-year-old earning a modest £40,000 per year who is forced to stop working loses £1.2 million in salary alone by the age of 65.
  • Lost Promotions & Pension: This figure doesn't account for future pay rises, promotions, or employer pension contributions, which could easily add another £500,000 to £1 million+ to the lifetime loss.
  • The 'Carer's Penalty': Often, a spouse or partner must also reduce their working hours or leave their job to provide care, compounding the loss of household income.

3. Adaptation & Lifestyle Costs

Living with a chronic illness reshapes your daily life and your budget.

  • Home Modifications: Installing a stairlift (£2,000-£5,000), converting a bathroom into a wet room (£5,000-£10,000), or even moving to a more accessible bungalow can incur huge costs.
  • Specialist Equipment: Mobility scooters (£1,000-£4,000), ergonomic office furniture, and other aids are rarely fully funded.
  • Increased Daily Expenses: Higher heating bills due to sensitivity to cold, the cost of pre-prepared meals on days of extreme fatigue, and travel costs for frequent hospital appointments all add up.

The Lifetime Financial Burden: A Hypothetical Scenario

Let's consider "Chloe," diagnosed with severe, relapsing-remitting Multiple Sclerosis at age 32. She was a successful project manager earning £55,000.

Cost CategoryEstimated Lifetime Financial ImpactNotes
Lost Earnings£2,200,000Forced to stop work at 35. Includes lost salary, promotions & pension.
Partner's Lost Earnings£750,000Partner switches to part-time work for 20 years to provide care.
Private Healthcare£350,000Early access to new drugs, regular physio, specialist consultations.
Home & Vehicle Adaptations£150,000Stairlift, wet room, accessible vehicle, ramps over 30+ years.
Increased Living Costs£250,000Higher bills, specialist diet, mobility aids, transport to appointments.
Informal Care Value£500,000+Economic value of care provided by family, often unrecognised.
TOTAL POTENTIAL BURDEN£4,200,000A stark illustration of the lifelong financial fallout.

This scenario highlights how quickly the costs can escalate far beyond just medical bills, decimating a family's financial security and future aspirations.

The 'Invisible Illness' Conundrum: Why Autoimmune Conditions Are So Misunderstood

One of the cruellest aspects of many autoimmune diseases is their invisibility. The journey is often marked by misunderstanding from friends, family, and even employers.

  • The Diagnostic Odyssey: The average time to get a diagnosis for some autoimmune conditions can be over five years. During this time, patients are often told their symptoms are "all in their head" or due to stress, leading to immense frustration and deteriorating mental health.
  • Fluctuating Symptoms: Autoimmune diseases are characterised by periods of flare-up (when symptoms are severe) and remission (when symptoms lessen). This unpredictability makes it hard to plan life and can lead to accusations of being unreliable or "faking it" on good days.
  • The Mask of Wellness: A person with Crohn's Disease or Lupus may look perfectly fine on the outside, but internally they are battling crippling pain, nausea, and a level of fatigue that is unimaginable to a healthy person. This disconnect between appearance and reality is a heavy psychological burden.
  • Mental Health Impact: It's no surprise that rates of anxiety and depression are significantly higher among those with chronic autoimmune conditions. The constant pain, uncertainty, and societal misunderstanding take a severe toll.

This is why building a financial shield before a crisis hits is so critical. When you're in the midst of a health battle, the last thing you need is the added stress of financial ruin.

Your Financial Fortress: How LCIIP Insurance Forms Your Unseen Defence

While you can't predict a diagnosis, you can control your financial preparedness. A comprehensive protection portfolio, often referred to as LCIIP (Life, Critical Illness, Income Protection), provides a multi-layered defence against the financial consequences of an autoimmune disease. Let's look at each component.

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Critical Illness Cover: A Financial Lifeline Upon Diagnosis

Critical Illness Cover (CIC) is designed to pay out a tax-free lump sum if you are diagnosed with one of a list of specific serious conditions defined in the policy. This money is yours to use as you see fit, providing immediate financial relief at a time of immense stress.

How can a CIC payout help?

  • Pay off your mortgage or other major debts, removing a huge financial pressure.
  • Fund private medical treatments or specialist consultations to bypass waiting lists.
  • Adapt your home for new mobility needs.
  • Replace lost income for you or a partner who needs to take time off to care for you.
  • Allow you to take a career break to focus on your health without financial worry.

Autoimmune Diseases and Critical Illness Cover: The Crucial Details

This is where expert advice is non-negotiable. Not all autoimmune diseases are covered as standard, and policy definitions can vary significantly between insurers.

  • Multiple Sclerosis (MS): This is a core condition on virtually every Critical Illness policy in the UK. A payout is typically made upon a definite diagnosis by a UK consultant neurologist.
  • Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE): Often covered, but usually only if it reaches a certain level of severity, typically with evidence of kidney impairment (lupus nephritis).
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): This is a key area of difference. Standard policies often do not cover RA. However, many enhanced or comprehensive policies will cover a severe form of RA, usually requiring evidence of permanent symptoms, joint deformity, and significant limitation of daily activities.
  • Crohn's Disease: Rarely covered as a standard critical illness. Payouts may be possible if the condition leads to a major surgery covered by the policy, such as the removal of a significant portion of the small bowel.

The key takeaway is that the wording is everything. An insurer's definition of "severe" is what matters, not your own. This is where a specialist broker like WeCovr can prove invaluable, helping you compare the nuanced definitions from across the market to find the policy that offers the most relevant protection.

Critical Illness Cover for Autoimmune Conditions: A Snapshot

ConditionTypical Coverage StatusImportant Note
Multiple SclerosisStandard/Core ConditionPayout on definite diagnosis.
Systemic Lupus (SLE)Often Covered (Enhanced)Usually requires specified severity (e.g., kidney involvement).
Rheumatoid ArthritisRarely StandardMay be covered on enhanced plans if definition of severity is met.
Crohn's/ColitisGenerally Not CoveredA related surgery may trigger a payout.
Type 1 DiabetesGenerally Not CoveredComplications like blindness or kidney failure may be covered.

Income Protection: Your Monthly Salary Shield Against Career Collapse

For the many autoimmune conditions that may not trigger a critical illness payout but can still stop you from working, Income Protection (IP) is arguably the most important insurance of all.

Income Protection is designed to do one thing: pay you a regular, tax-free monthly income if you are unable to work due to any illness or injury. It's your own salary, paid by an insurer.

Why Income Protection is Essential for Autoimmune Conditions:

  • It Covers Everything: Unlike CIC, IP doesn't rely on a list of specific illnesses. If a doctor signs you off work because of the debilitating fatigue from Lupus or the unpredictable pain from Crohn's disease, the policy can pay out.
  • It Protects Against Fluctuations: It's perfect for the relapsing-remitting nature of autoimmune disease. You can claim when you're too ill to work, and if you recover enough to return to work, the payments stop. If you relapse later, you can simply start a new claim.
  • Long-Term Security: The best policies will pay out right up until your chosen retirement age, protecting decades of future income. This is the direct countermeasure to the "Career Collapse" scenario.

When choosing Income Protection, the definition of incapacity is paramount. You should always opt for an 'Own Occupation' definition. This means the policy will pay out if you are unable to do your specific job. Other definitions (like 'Suited Occupation' or 'Any Occupation') are less robust and could mean the insurer won't pay if they believe you could do a different, perhaps lower-paid, job.

Life Insurance: Securing Your Family's Future, No Matter What

While many autoimmune conditions are not fatal, they can increase the risk of other health complications. Life Insurance provides a fundamental layer of security, ensuring that if the worst should happen, your loved ones are financially protected.

It pays out a lump sum on death, which can be used to clear a mortgage, cover funeral costs, and provide a financial legacy for your children's future. Most policies also include Terminal Illness Benefit at no extra cost, which pays out the sum assured early if you are diagnosed with a terminal condition (with less than 12 months to live).

Crucially, it is far easier and cheaper to secure life insurance when you are young and healthy. An autoimmune diagnosis can make cover more expensive or harder to obtain, making early action a wise financial decision.

Applying for Cover with a Pre-existing Autoimmune Condition: An Honest Guide

What if you already have a diagnosis? Can you still get cover? The honest answer is: it's more complex, but often possible. This is where full transparency and expert guidance are essential.

When you apply, insurers will conduct a process called underwriting. They will likely ask for:

  • The exact date of your diagnosis.
  • The specific type and severity of your condition.
  • Details of your symptoms, treatments, and any time taken off work. The outcome will depend entirely on your individual circumstances.

Potential Underwriting Outcomes for LCIIP

ScenarioLikely Outcome for Life InsuranceLikely Outcome for CIC/IP
Mild Psoriasis (skin only, topical creams)Standard rates or small premium increase.Likely standard rates with no exclusions.
Well-controlled Crohn's (in remission for 2+ years)Moderate premium increase.May be offered with a higher premium and/or a specific exclusion for Crohn's Disease.
Relapsing-Remitting MS (diagnosed 5 years ago)Significant premium increase.Likely to be declined for CIC and IP, as the core risk has already occurred.
Severe RA (requiring biologic drugs)Significant premium increase, possibly with an exclusion for RA-related death.Likely to be declined for CIC and IP.

Navigating this complex landscape is where an expert broker like us at WeCovr becomes indispensable. We have in-depth knowledge of different insurers' underwriting stances on hundreds of medical conditions. We can approach the right insurers on your behalf – often anonymously at first – to gauge the likely terms, saving you time and protecting your application history. We fight your corner to find the most favourable cover possible for your specific situation.

Beyond the Payout: The Added Value of Modern Insurance

Modern insurance policies are about more than just money. They come bundled with a suite of support services designed to help you manage your health and wellbeing, often accessible from the day your policy starts.

These 'added-value' benefits can include:

  • 24/7 Virtual GP: Get a GP appointment via phone or video call at any time, perfect for when you're feeling too unwell to visit a surgery.
  • Second Medical Opinion: If you have doubts about a diagnosis or treatment plan, you can get access to a leading global expert for a second opinion.
  • Mental Health Support: Access to a set number of counselling or therapy sessions to help you cope with the psychological impact of a chronic illness diagnosis.
  • Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation: Get expert help to manage physical symptoms and support to get you back to work if possible.

At WeCovr, we believe in holistic support that extends beyond the policy itself. That's why, in addition to finding you the best protection from the UK's leading insurers, we provide our clients with complimentary access to CalorieHero, our proprietary AI-powered calorie and nutrition tracking app. Diet and nutrition can play a crucial role in managing inflammation and symptoms for many autoimmune conditions. This tool is just one of the ways we show our commitment to our clients' long-term health and wellbeing, going above and beyond the standard broker service.

Take Control: Building Your Financial Shield Against Invisible Illnesses Today

The United Kingdom is facing a silent but escalating autoimmune crisis. The projections for 2025 are a stark warning that for millions, a life-changing diagnosis is not a remote possibility, but a statistical probability.

The potential £4.2 million lifetime financial burden is a devastating prospect, capable of dismantling career aspirations, erasing savings, and jeopardising a family's entire future. While state benefits like Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can provide some support, they are often difficult to secure and rarely sufficient to cover the true, long-term cost.

The good news is that you have the power to act. A robust, well-structured combination of Life Insurance, Critical Illness Cover, and Income Protection provides the ultimate financial shield against the unpredictable nature of an invisible illness.

  • Critical Illness Cover provides a lump sum for immediate financial firepower.
  • Income Protection replaces your salary for the long term if you can't work.
  • Life Insurance secures your family's foundational future.

Don't wait for a diagnosis to become a statistic. The most valuable, comprehensive, and affordable time to put your protection in place is now, while you are in good health.

Take the first step towards securing your financial future today. Speak to a protection specialist who can help you understand your unique needs and build a personalised shield that stands ready to defend you and your family, no matter what health challenges lie ahead.


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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