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UK Early Health Retirement Shock

UK Early Health Retirement Shock 2025 | Top Insurance Guides

UK 2025: Over 1 in 3 Working Britons Face Early Retirement Due to Ill Health, Triggering a Staggering £3.7 Million+ Lifetime Income Void and Unfunded Care Costs – Discover How Life, Critical Illness & Income Protection Shield Your Family's Future & Legacy

A seismic shift is underway in the UK's workforce, and it’s not about flexible working or the gig economy. It's a silent crisis with devastating financial consequences: the shocking rise of early retirement due to ill health.

New analysis and projections for 2025 reveal a startling reality: more than one in three working-age Britons are now at significant risk of having their careers cut short by a long-term illness or injury.

This isn't a distant problem for 'other people'. This is a direct threat to the financial stability of millions of families across the country. The consequences are staggering. For a typical dual-income professional family, being forced out of work prematurely can create a lifetime financial void exceeding £3.7 million in lost earnings, pension contributions, and accrued benefits. This is before considering the crippling, unfunded costs of long-term care that can decimate savings and family homes.

The question is no longer if this could happen, but what is your plan for when it does?

In this definitive guide, we will unpack this unfolding crisis, examine the hard numbers, and reveal the powerful, affordable strategies you can implement today. Discover how a robust financial safety net, built on the three pillars of Income Protection, Critical Illness Cover, and Life Insurance, can shield your family from financial ruin and secure your legacy, no matter what health challenges lie ahead.

The Alarming Reality: Deconstructing the UK's Health-Driven Work Crisis

The picture painted by the latest UK-wide data is deeply concerning. The number of people economically inactive due to long-term sickness has been surging, reaching record highs and creating a profound challenge for individuals, families, and the wider economy.

8 million**. This represents an unprecedented increase of nearly 700,000 people since before the pandemic, a trend that shows no signs of slowing. This means millions of households have already lost a vital income, permanently.

Why "1 in 3" is a Realistic Threat

The projection that over a third of the workforce faces this risk isn't scaremongering; it's a conclusion based on powerful, converging trends that are reshaping the landscape of work and health in Britain.

  1. The Rise of Chronic Illness: The prevalence of long-term conditions is increasing. Musculoskeletal issues, mental health disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer are being diagnosed more frequently and at younger ages, directly impacting prime earning years.
  2. Overwhelmed NHS Services: The strain on the NHS is a critical factor. The British Medical Association highlights a total waiting list in England exceeding 7.5 million cases. These delays in diagnosis and treatment mean manageable conditions can escalate, preventing a timely and successful return to work.
  3. An Ageing Workforce: The UK workforce is getting older. As people work later in life, the statistical probability of developing a health condition that prevents them from reaching their planned retirement age increases significantly.
  4. The "Long Tail" of COVID-19: The lingering effects of the pandemic continue to be felt. The ONS estimates that well over a million people in the UK are experiencing self-reported Long Covid, with symptoms like fatigue and shortness of breath making sustained work impossible for many.

The Conditions Forcing Britons Out of Work

While any severe illness can end a career, official data reveals the primary drivers behind this wave of early health retirement. Understanding these is the first step in appreciating the breadth of the risk.

Primary Health ConditionImpact on the UK WorkforceKey 2025 Statistics & Projections
Mental Health & BehaviouralThe single largest cause of work-related illness. Includes depression, stress, and anxiety.Accounts for over half of all work-related ill health cases.
Musculoskeletal DisordersChronic back pain, neck/upper limb problems, arthritis. Often progressive.Affects over 1 in 4 UK adults; a leading cause of long-term sickness absence.
CancerOver 1,000 new diagnoses every day in the UK. Survival rates are improving, but long-term effects often prevent a return to full-time work.Macmillan Cancer Support finds 50% of people with cancer face a drop in income.
Heart & Circulatory DiseasesIncludes heart attacks, strokes, and coronary heart disease. A major cause of sudden, life-altering disability.Causes more than a quarter of all UK deaths; many of the 7.6 million living with these conditions face reduced work capacity.
Progressive Neurological ConditionsConditions like Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Parkinson's, and Motor Neurone Disease (MND).Over 153,000 people in the UK have MS, a condition typically diagnosed in their 20s and 30s.

These are not abstract health issues; they are career-ending events that strike ordinary working families every single day.

The £3.7 Million+ Financial Abyss: More Than Just Lost Salary

The financial fallout from a premature, health-forced retirement is a multi-layered catastrophe. It's not just the loss of a monthly paycheque; it's a domino effect that can systematically dismantle a lifetime of careful financial planning.

To understand the scale of this "Financial Void," let's consider a realistic case study.

Case Study: The Sharma Family

  • Ravi (42), a Senior Project Manager earning £70,000 per annum.
  • Priya (41), a Chartered Accountant earning £75,000 per annum.
  • They live in the Home Counties, have a £350,000 mortgage, two children (aged 10 and 12), and are diligently contributing to their pensions, planning to retire at 68.
  • Tragically, Ravi is diagnosed with aggressive Multiple Sclerosis, which forces him to stop working within a year. The demands of care and the emotional strain mean Priya has to reduce her role to a part-time, lower-paid position.

Let's calculate their financial void:

  1. Lost Gross Earnings:

    • Ravi: £70,000 x 26 years = £1,820,000
    • Priya (assuming a 50% income reduction): £37,500 x 27 years = £1,012,500
    • Total Lost Gross Earnings: £2,832,500
  2. Lost Pension Contributions:

    • Let's assume a combined employer/employee contribution rate of 12%. Their joint contributions would have been £17,400 per year.
    • Lost raw contributions over the period: approx. £460,000.
    • The real loss: With 25+ years of compound growth (at a conservative 5%), this lost pension pot would have been worth well over £1.2 million at retirement, completely changing their standard of living in later life.
  3. Unfunded Care & Adaptation Costs:

    • Home Adaptations: To make their home wheelchair accessible, they need a ramp, widened doorways, and a downstairs wet room. Estimated cost: £30,000.
    • Ongoing Care: Ravi needs specialist care for 20 hours a week. The UK average is around £30 per hour.
    • Annual Care Cost: 20 hours x £30/hour x 52 weeks = £31,200.
    • Over 15 years, this amounts to £468,000.

The Total Financial Void: The Sharmas are facing a direct income loss of over £2.8 million, a future pension loss exceeding £1.2 million, and immediate care costs approaching £500,000. The total financial impact easily surpasses the £3.7 million mark. This is the abyss that awaits families without a private safety net.

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The State "Safety Net": A Thin Tightrope Over a Canyon

A common and dangerous assumption is that the state will provide a sufficient safety net in times of crisis. The stark reality is that the UK's welfare system is designed to provide a basic subsistence level of support, not to replace a professional salary or protect a family's lifestyle.

State BenefitTypical Amount (2025/26 est.)The Harsh Reality for a Family like the Sharmas
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)~£116 per weekPaid by an employer for a maximum of 28 weeks. It's a temporary stopgap.
Employment & Support Allowance (ESA)Up to ~£138 per weekThis is heavily means-tested. With Priya still working, even part-time, they would likely receive nothing.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)£28 - £184 per weekThis is for the extra costs of disability, not income replacement. It requires a notoriously difficult and stressful assessment process. Ravi may qualify for the higher rate, but it's a fraction of the actual care costs.
Universal Credit (Carer's Element)~£45 per weekPriya might be able to claim this small additional amount for her caring responsibilities, but it barely scratches the surface.

For the Sharma family, their household income of £145,000 would plummet. They would lose Ravi's £70,000 salary entirely and half of Priya's. The state benefits they might receive would amount to a few hundred pounds a week at most – a drop in the ocean compared to their mortgage, bills, and new care costs. Their financial independence would be shattered.

The Three Pillars of Protection: Your Shield Against Financial Ruin

The threat is real, state support is profoundly inadequate, but you are not powerless. A carefully constructed private insurance strategy provides a financial fortress for your family. This fortress is built on three interconnected and essential pillars.

Pillar 1: Income Protection Insurance (The Foundation)

Think of your ability to earn an income as your family's most valuable asset. If you owned a machine that generated thousands of pounds every month, you would insure it without question. You are that machine. Income Protection (IP) is the insurance that protects it.

What is it? Income Protection is a policy that pays you a regular, tax-free monthly income if you are unable to work due to any illness or injury. It is designed to replace a significant portion of your lost earnings and will continue to pay out until you are able to return to work, or until the policy term ends (usually at your chosen retirement age).

How it Works: The Crucial Details

  • Level of Cover: You can typically insure up to 60-70% of your gross (pre-tax) salary. This is designed to closely match your net take-home pay.
  • Deferment Period: This is the pre-agreed waiting period between you stopping work and the policy starting to pay out. You can choose a period from 4 weeks up to 52 weeks. A longer deferment period means a lower premium. The smart strategy is to align it with your employer's sick pay period or the length of time your emergency savings could support you.
  • Definition of Incapacity: This is the single most important feature of an IP policy. The gold standard is 'Own Occupation'. This means the policy will pay out if you are medically unable to perform your specific job. Lesser definitions like 'Suited Occupation' or 'Any Occupation' are much stricter and may not pay if the insurer believes you could do a different, lower-paid job.

Income Protection in Action (The Sharma Family Revisited):

Imagine Ravi had an 'Own Occupation' Income Protection policy.

  • He insured 60% of his £70,000 salary, with a 26-week deferment period.
  • Monthly Benefit: (£70,000 x 0.60) / 12 = £3,500 tax-free.
  • After his employer's sick pay ended at 26 weeks, his IP policy would begin paying him £3,500 every single month.
  • This payment would continue until his planned retirement age of 68. This single policy provides a guaranteed income stream of £42,000 per year, transforming their financial situation from one of crisis to one of manageability.

Pillar 2: Critical Illness Cover (The Financial Fire Extinguisher)

While Income Protection replaces your ongoing salary, Critical Illness Cover (CIC) provides a large, immediate capital injection to deal with the significant one-off costs and financial shocks that a serious diagnosis brings.

What is it? Critical Illness Cover pays out a one-off, tax-free lump sum if you are diagnosed with one of a list of predefined serious medical conditions. Every policy covers the "big three" – specific types of cancer, heart attack, and stroke. Comprehensive policies from major insurers will cover 50, 100, or even more conditions, including Multiple Sclerosis, major organ transplant, motor neurone disease, and Parkinson's disease.

How it Works: Providing Immediate Financial Firepower

The lump sum provides complete flexibility at a time of immense stress and can be used for anything, such as:

  • Clearing your mortgage: The single biggest impact for most families, removing their largest monthly outgoing forever.
  • Covering medical costs: Funding private consultations, specialist treatments, or drugs not yet available on the NHS.
  • Adapting your home: Paying for the ramps, stairlifts, and wet rooms needed to live with a new disability, without raiding your savings.
  • Replacing a partner's income: Giving your spouse or partner the financial freedom to take a sabbatical from work to care for you.
  • Creating a stress-free fund: Providing a financial buffer to allow you to focus 100% on your recovery and well-being.

Critical Illness Cover in Action:

Imagine the Sharmas had a joint Critical Illness policy for £350,000, linked to their mortgage.

  • Upon Ravi's definitive diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis (a standard condition on most policies), the policy pays out the full £350,000 tax-free lump sum.
  • They immediately use it to clear their mortgage in full.
  • Their largest monthly bill is now gone. Combined with Ravi's Income Protection payments and Priya's part-time salary, their financial position is secure. They can afford the care Ravi needs without fear or compromise.

Pillar 3: Life Insurance (The Ultimate Legacy)

Life Insurance is the final, non-negotiable pillar of family financial protection. It addresses the ultimate "what if" and ensures that the people you love are protected should the worst happen.

What is it? Life Insurance pays out a tax-free lump sum to your chosen beneficiaries if you die during the term of the policy. It is the bedrock of legacy planning.

Why it's Essential, Even When Discussing Illness: A critical illness diagnosis is a powerful reminder of our mortality. Sadly, many serious illnesses can be terminal. A Life Insurance policy ensures that your financial plan for your family's future is fulfilled, even if you are no longer there to see it through.

Key Types of Life Insurance:

  • Term Life Insurance: This is the most common and affordable type. It provides cover for a fixed period (the "term"), such as until your children are financially independent or your mortgage is repaid.
    • Level Term: The lump sum payout remains the same throughout the policy term. Ideal for providing a family income fund.
    • Decreasing Term: The payout amount reduces over time, designed to match the reducing balance of a repayment mortgage.
  • Whole of Life Insurance: This policy guarantees to pay out whenever you die, as long as you maintain the premiums. It's more expensive and is typically used for leaving a guaranteed inheritance or covering a future Inheritance Tax liability.

Life Insurance in Action:

What if Ravi's MS had been a more aggressive form, and he passed away three years after diagnosis?

  • The Sharmas had a Level Term Life Insurance policy for £600,000, designed to provide an income for Priya and see the children through university.
  • Upon his death, this £600,000 lump sum would be paid to Priya. This sum, on top of the critical illness payout that already cleared the mortgage, ensures her and the children's financial security for decades. It replaces his lost income, funds their education, and secures the future he had always planned for them.

A Multi-Layered Strategy: How the Pillars Work Together

These three policies are not an "either/or" choice. They are distinct tools designed to protect against different financial consequences, often from the same health event. A robust plan integrates all three.

ScenarioIncome ProtectionCritical Illness CoverLife Insurance
You get severe back pain and can't work for 2 years.Pays monthly income❌ No payout❌ No payout
You have a stroke, survive but can't work again.Pays monthly incomePays lump sum❌ No payout
You are diagnosed with terminal cancer and die 1 year later.Pays income for 1 yearPays lump sum on diagnosisPays lump sum on death
You die suddenly in an accident.❌ No payout❌ No payoutPays lump sum

This layered strategy creates a comprehensive financial safety net that catches you and your family, whatever life throws your way.

The Cost of Protection vs. The Cost of Inaction

A common misconception is that this level of comprehensive protection is prohibitively expensive. In reality, for most working families, securing a robust plan costs less than a weekly takeaway or a subscription to a few streaming services.

The crucial factor is timing. Premiums are calculated based on your age, health, and lifestyle at the time of application. Once your policy is live, the premium is typically guaranteed, meaning it won't increase with age or if you develop health problems. Acting while you are young and healthy is the key to locking in the lowest possible price for life.

Illustrative Monthly Premiums (For a 40-year-old, non-smoker, in a professional role)

Type of CoverCover AmountIllustrative Monthly Premium
Income Protection£2,500/month benefit, to age 67~£50
Critical Illness Cover£150,000 level cover over 25 years~£45
Life Insurance£400,000 level cover over 25 years~£20
Total Monthly ProtectionComprehensive Family Fortress~£115

Note: These are illustrative quotes only. The actual cost will depend on your individual circumstances, health, and the specifics of the cover chosen.

When you weigh a monthly cost of around £115 against the very real risk of a £3.7 million+ financial void, the decision becomes clear. It is one of the most powerful and high-value investments you can ever make in your family's security and peace of mind.

How to Get the Right Cover: The Importance of Expert Advice

The UK protection insurance market is vast and complex. Dozens of providers offer hundreds of policies, each with different terms, conditions, and, most importantly, different definitions. The cheapest policy is very rarely the best one. An off-the-shelf policy from a comparison site might have crucial exclusions you aren't aware of until it's too late.

This is where seeking independent, expert advice is not just beneficial, it's essential.

At WeCovr, we are specialists in life, critical illness, and income protection insurance. Our purpose is to act as your expert advocate in the market. We are not tied to any single insurer; our sole allegiance is to you, our client. We take the time to conduct a thorough review of your personal and financial situation, understanding your mortgage, your family's needs, your budget, and your specific concerns.

Armed with this understanding, we meticulously search and compare policies from all the UK's leading insurers. We present you with the best options, explaining the key differences in clear, simple language, ensuring the plan you choose is perfectly tailored to provide the protection your family truly needs.

We also believe that our duty of care extends beyond the policy itself. We're committed to our clients' holistic well-being. That’s why every WeCovr client receives complimentary lifetime access to our exclusive AI-powered health and calorie tracking app, CalorieHero. It's our way of providing extra value and encouraging the proactive health habits that form the foundation of a long and secure life.

Don't Be a Statistic: Take Control of Your Financial Future Today

The evidence is overwhelming, and the trend is undeniable. The risk of your career and income being prematurely ended by ill health is a significant and growing threat to British families. Relying on hope or the threadbare state safety net is a gamble your family cannot afford to lose.

But you have the power to write a different story for your family.

By understanding the risks and taking decisive action, you can implement a robust protection strategy built on the three pillars of Income Protection, Critical Illness Cover, and Life Insurance. You can build an unbreakable financial shield around the people you love most. You can ensure that an unexpected health crisis remains a personal challenge to be overcome, not a financial catastrophe that destroys your family's future.

The best time to put this protection in place was yesterday. The next best time is now, while you are healthy and the premiums are at their most affordable.

Secure your income. Protect your home. Guarantee your family's legacy. Take the first step towards absolute peace of mind by speaking to a protection specialist today.


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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