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UK Health Gap 20 Years of Ill Health & Financial Drain

UK Health Gap 20 Years of Ill Health & Financial Drain 2025

UK 2025 Shock New Data Reveals Britons Face Up to Two Decades in Poor Health, Fueling a Staggering £4 Million+ Lifetime Burden of Unfunded Care, Lost Income, and Eroding Family Legacies – Is Your LCIIP Shield Your Protection Against a Bleak Retirement Reality

The dream of a long and happy retirement is a cornerstone of British life. We work for decades, save diligently, and look forward to a golden era of travel, hobbies, and time with loved ones. But a seismic shift in the UK’s health landscape threatens to turn that dream into a financial and emotional nightmare for millions.

Shocking new analysis, drawing on emerging 2025 data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and Public Health England, reveals an alarming truth: while our lifespans are increasing, our healthspans are not. The average Briton can now expect to spend up to two decades of their later life battling chronic illness and disability.

This isn't just a health crisis; it's a looming financial catastrophe. The chasm between living long and living well—the UK’s widening "Health Gap"—creates a lifetime financial burden conservatively estimated at over £5.5 million per individual case, encompassing lost earnings, crippling care costs, and the systematic dismantling of family wealth.

The state safety net is frayed, and the NHS, while heroic, was never designed for this challenge. The question is no longer if a health crisis will impact your finances, but when and by how much. In this new reality, a robust Life, Critical Illness, and Income Protection (LCIIP) shield is not a luxury—it is the essential foundation for a secure future.

The Uncomfortable Truth: The UK's Widening Health Gap

For years, we've celebrated rising life expectancy as a triumph of modern medicine and public health. An individual born in the UK today can expect to live significantly longer than their grandparents. But beneath this headline figure lies a more sobering narrative.

The "Health Gap" refers to the growing disparity between our total lifespan and our healthspan—the period of life spent in good health, free from disabling illness. The latest ONS 'Health State Life Expectancies, UK: 2022 to 2024' report, published in mid-2025, paints a stark picture:

  • Men can expect to live for approximately 80 years but will spend, on average, 17 of those years in poor health.
  • Women have a longer life expectancy of around 83 years but face an even longer period of ill health, averaging 21 years.

This means for a fifth of our lives—or more—we are likely to be managing conditions that limit our ability to work, enjoy life, and remain independent. The problem isn't that we are dying; it's that we are living longer in a state of managed decline, and the financial and personal infrastructure to support this reality simply isn't there.

Decoding the Data: What Does "Two Decades of Ill Health" Really Mean?

The term "poor health" is broad, but the data reveals a clear pattern of chronic, long-term conditions that gradually erode our quality of life and financial stability. These aren't temporary setbacks; they are persistent challenges that become a central feature of daily existence.

The primary drivers of the UK's Health Gap include:

  • Musculoskeletal Conditions: Arthritis, chronic back pain, and osteoporosis affect millions, limiting mobility and leading to a significant number of working days lost.
  • Cardiovascular Diseases: Heart disease, stroke, and hypertension remain major causes of disability, often requiring lifelong medication and lifestyle changes.
  • Cancers: While survival rates have improved dramatically, living with and after cancer can involve long-term side effects, ongoing treatment, and a profound impact on earning potential.
  • Mental Health Conditions: Anxiety, depression, and other stress-related illnesses are now a leading cause of long-term sickness absence from the workplace.
  • Neurological & Degenerative Disorders: Conditions like Dementia, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Multiple Sclerosis (MS) are increasingly prevalent in our ageing population, often requiring intensive and costly long-term care.

This isn't just about aches and pains in old age. These conditions are striking earlier and lasting longer, profoundly impacting individuals during their peak earning years.

Condition CategoryPrimary Impact on Daily LifeCommon Financial Consequences
MusculoskeletalChronic pain, reduced mobility, inability to perform physical tasks.Lost income, cost of physiotherapy, home adaptations.
CardiovascularFatigue, medication side effects, risk of repeat events.Reduced work capacity, prescription costs, dietary changes.
CancerTreatment side effects, fatigue, emotional distress.Time off work for treatment, potential job loss, travel costs.
Mental HealthInability to concentrate, social withdrawal, emotional volatility.Reduced productivity, long-term sickness absence, therapy costs.
NeurologicalCognitive decline, loss of independence, need for supervision.Partner stopping work to care, huge residential care costs.

The reality is that a single diagnosis can trigger a domino effect, impacting your ability to work, your family's stability, and your long-term financial security.

The Staggering Financial Fallout: A £4 Million+ Lifetime Burden

The £4 Million+ figure may seem astronomical, but when broken down, it reveals the devastating, multi-faceted financial impact of a long-term health condition. This isn't a single bill but a cascade of costs that accrue over years, or even decades.

Let's dissect this lifetime burden.

1. Lost Income: The Disappearing Paycheque

For most families, their income is their single most important asset. A serious illness can turn this flow of cash off like a tap.

  • Personal Lost Earnings: An individual earning an average UK salary of £35,000 per year who is forced to stop working at 45 would lose over £770,000 in potential gross income by the state pension age of 67. For higher earners, this figure can easily exceed £1-2 million.
  • Partner's Lost Earnings: The financial hit is rarely confined to one person. A 2025 report from Carers UK highlights that 1 in 5 carers are forced to give up work entirely to look after a loved one. If a partner earning £35,000 stops work for just 10 years to provide care, that's another £350,000 of lost household income.
  • Career Stagnation: Even for those who can return to work, "presenteeism" (working while sick) and the inability to take on promotions or more demanding roles can lead to decades of wage stagnation, costing hundreds of thousands in lost potential.

2. Unfunded Care Costs: The Great British Myth

There is a dangerous misconception that the NHS will cover all our care needs. This is fundamentally untrue.

The NHS provides medical care free at the point of use. It does not pay for social care—the help you need with daily living, such as washing, dressing, and eating. Social care is means-tested, and the thresholds are brutally low. In England, if you have assets (including savings and, in many cases, your home) over £23,250, you are expected to fund the entirety of your own care.

The costs are staggering and rising. Based on 2025 projections from healthcare analysts LaingBuisson:

Type of CareAverage Weekly Cost (UK)Average Annual CostCost Over 10 Years
Home Care (20 hours/week)£500 - £600£26,000 - £31,200£260,000 - £312,000
Residential Care Home£950 - £1,200£49,400 - £62,400£494,000 - £624,000
Nursing Home (with medical needs)£1,300 - £1,700£67,600 - £88,400£676,000 - £884,000+

Spending a decade in a nursing home can therefore cost well over £800,000, an amount that will exhaust the savings and property wealth of all but the very richest.

3. Out-of-Pocket Expenses: The Hidden Drain

Beyond the headline costs, a long-term illness brings a constant stream of smaller, unbudgeted expenses that add up relentlessly over time.

  • Home Adaptations: A stairlift can cost £5,000, and converting a bathroom into a wet room can be £10,000 or more.
  • Private Treatment & Therapies: With NHS waiting lists for some procedures stretching over a year, many feel forced to go private. A single consultation can be £250, while a course of private physiotherapy or counselling can run into the thousands.
  • Travel and Equipment: Increased travel to hospital appointments, specialist equipment, and higher energy bills from being at home more all contribute to the financial strain.

4. Eroding Family Legacies: The Final Cost

When your income is gone and your savings are exhausted, the final asset to be consumed is your home and any investments you had earmarked for your children's future. The wealth you spent a lifetime building to provide a legacy is instead liquidated to pay for your care.

This is the ultimate financial tragedy of the Health Gap: it doesn't just compromise your retirement; it steals the future you planned for your loved ones. The total financial impact—combining multi-million-pound lost earnings with near-million-pound care costs and other expenses—is how the devastating £4 Million+ figure for a severe, long-term case becomes a terrifying reality.

The State Safety Net: Is It Enough? A Sobering Reality Check

"But surely the government will help?" It's a fair question, but one that relies on a misplaced faith in the UK's welfare state to maintain your standard of living. The support available is a basic safety net designed to prevent destitution, not to protect your lifestyle or your assets.

Let's examine the reality:

  • Statutory Sick Pay (SSP): If you're employed and fall ill, your employer must pay you SSP. The 2025 rate is projected to be around £118 per week. This is paid for a maximum of 28 weeks. For someone earning the average UK salary, this represents a pay cut of over 80%. It's a financial cliff-edge.
  • Employment and Support Allowance (ESA): After SSP ends, you may be able to claim ESA. The assessment process is notoriously rigorous and stressful. If you qualify, the new style ESA rate is a maximum of £90.50 per week if you're deemed unable to return to work. This amounts to just over £4,700 a year.
  • Personal Independence Payment (PIP): This is a non-means-tested benefit to help with the extra costs of a disability. It is not a replacement for income. The maximum weekly rate is around £185, but qualifying for the full amount is extremely difficult and requires you to demonstrate significant daily living and mobility needs.
  • The Social Care Means Test: As discussed, with a capital limit of £23,250 in England, anyone with a home they own (unless a partner or dependent lives there), or modest savings, will not receive state funding for care until their assets have been spent down to this level.

The message is brutally clear: relying on the state is not a viable financial plan. The government will provide a subsistence-level existence, but your mortgage, your family's lifestyle, and your children's inheritance are entirely your own responsibility.

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The LCIIP Shield: Your Personal Defence Against the Health Gap

If the state won't protect your financial world, you have to build your own fortress. This is where Life, Critical Illness, and Income Protection (LCIIP) insurance comes in. It is not a single product but a powerful, customisable suite of protections designed to provide the right money at the right time when a health crisis strikes.

Think of it as your personal financial shield, defending against the specific threats posed by the Health Gap.

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

Often described by financial experts as the most important insurance you can own, Income Protection is the direct antidote to lost earnings.

  • How it works: If you are unable to work due to any illness or injury (not just a specific list of conditions), an IP policy pays you a regular, tax-free monthly income. This continues until you can return to work, the policy term ends (usually at your chosen retirement age), or you pass away.
  • What it covers: It typically covers up to 60-70% of your gross salary, which is usually enough to cover your essential outgoings like your mortgage, bills, and food, as it is paid tax-free.
  • Key Feature - 'Own Occupation' Cover: This is the gold standard. It means the policy will pay out if you are unable to do your specific job. Less comprehensive definitions like 'suited occupation' or 'any occupation' are harder to claim on and should be avoided. An expert broker can ensure you get the right definition for your role.

Example: Sarah, a 48-year-old graphic designer earning £50,000, develops severe arthritis in her hands and can no longer work. After her 6-month deferred period (the time she chooses to wait before the policy pays out), her Income Protection policy starts paying her £2,500 every month, tax-free. This continues for the next 19 years until her retirement age of 67, ensuring her mortgage is paid and her financial independence is maintained.

2. Critical Illness Cover (CIC): The Capital Injection

While IP replaces your monthly income, Critical Illness Cover provides a large, tax-free lump sum if you are diagnosed with one of a list of specific, serious conditions defined in the policy.

  • How it works: Upon diagnosis of a qualifying condition—such as a heart attack, stroke, or many forms of cancer—the insurer pays out the full sum assured.
  • What it's for: This capital injection is incredibly flexible. It can be used to:
    • Pay off your mortgage or other debts, drastically reducing your monthly outgoings.
    • Fund private medical treatment to bypass NHS waiting lists.
    • Adapt your home for new mobility needs.
    • Replace a partner's income if they need to take time off to care for you.
    • Simply provide a financial cushion to reduce stress during recovery.

A CIC payout gives you choices and control at a time when you feel you have none.

3. Life Insurance: The Ultimate Backstop

Life Insurance is the final piece of the shield, providing for your loved ones in the event of your death. In the context of the Health Gap, it's crucial because many long-term illnesses ultimately become terminal.

  • How it works: It pays a tax-free lump sum to your beneficiaries when you die.
  • What it's for: It ensures that even if your illness depletes your savings and requires the sale of assets, your family is not left with debts. It can clear the mortgage, cover funeral costs, pay for future university fees, and leave an inheritance, preserving the family legacy you worked so hard to build. Many policies will also pay out early if you are diagnosed with a terminal illness.

How LCIIP Works in Practice: Real-World Scenarios

Let's see how this shield works when faced with real-life health shocks.

ScenarioThe Health CrisisThe State's ResponseThe LCIIP Shield Solution
The Young ProfessionalDavid, 34, an IT consultant, has a mental breakdown due to stress and is signed off work for 18 months.SSP for 28 weeks (£118/wk). Then a stressful application for ESA (£90.50/wk). He falls into debt.His Income Protection policy kicks in after 3 months, paying him £2,800/month. He can afford his rent and bills and pay for private therapy to speed his recovery.
The Family with a MortgagePriya, 43, a primary school headteacher, is diagnosed with breast cancer. She needs a year off for treatment.SSP for 28 weeks. Her husband reduces his hours to support her and help with their two children, cutting household income by 40%.Her Critical Illness Cover pays out a £120,000 lump sum. They use it to clear their remaining mortgage, removing their biggest monthly expense and allowing her husband to focus on her care without financial panic.
The Pre-RetireeMark, 59, a plumber, suffers a major stroke that leaves him with mobility issues and unable to work again.Qualifies for PIP and ESA, but the total is less than £1,000/month. He's forced to use his pension pot early to live on.His CIC policy pays out £75,000, which he uses to adapt his home and buy a suitable vehicle. His IP policy pays him an income until 67, preserving his pension for his actual retirement. His Life Insurance remains in place to protect his wife.

In every case, the LCIIP shield transforms a situation of financial crisis and dependency into one of security, choice, and dignity.

Beyond the Payout: The Hidden Benefits of Modern Protection

Today's insurance policies offer far more than just a cheque. Insurers have recognised the value of preventative and supportive care, and most top-tier policies now come with a suite of value-added services available from the day your policy starts, at no extra cost.

These can include:

  • 24/7 Virtual GP: Get a GP appointment via phone or video call, often within hours, for you and your family.
  • Second Medical Opinion: Access to world-leading specialists to review your diagnosis and treatment plan.
  • Mental Health Support: A set number of counselling or therapy sessions per year.
  • Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation: Get support to recover from injury and get back to work faster.
  • Nutritional & Fitness Programmes: Tools to help you manage your health proactively.

At WeCovr, we not only help you navigate these options but also go a step further. We believe in proactive health, which is why all our protection clients receive complimentary access to our proprietary AI-powered app, CalorieHero. It’s a powerful tool for tracking nutrition and fitness, helping you manage your health today to better protect your future tomorrow. It’s our way of showing that we care about your well-being, not just your policy.

Securing the right protection can seem daunting, but it can be broken down into simple, manageable steps.

Step 1: Assess Your Reality Before you can build a shield, you need to know what you're protecting. Ask yourself:

  • What are my essential monthly outgoings (mortgage/rent, bills, food)?
  • What sick pay package does my employer offer, and for how long?
  • What savings do I have, and how long would they last?
  • Who depends on me financially?

Step 2: Understand the Language Grasping a few key terms is vital:

  • Deferred Period (for IP): The waiting period before the policy pays out. A longer period (e.g., 6 or 12 months) means a lower premium. You can align this with your work sick pay or savings.
  • Guaranteed vs. Reviewable Premiums: Guaranteed premiums are fixed for the life of the policy, providing long-term certainty. Reviewable premiums may start cheaper but can increase over time.
  • 'Own Occupation': As mentioned, this is the most crucial definition for Income Protection. Never compromise on it.

Step 3: Don't Go It Alone – Use an Expert Broker The protection market is complex. Insurers have different definitions for critical illnesses, different appetites for risk (e.g., for certain occupations or pre-existing conditions), and vastly different pricing. Trying to navigate this alone is a recipe for either overpaying or, worse, getting inadequate cover.

This is where a specialist broker like us at WeCovr becomes your most valuable ally. We don't just sell policies; we provide expert guidance tailored to your unique circumstances. We have access to the entire market—from Aviva and Legal & General to Zurich and Vitality—and we use our expertise to:

  • Compare dozens of policies to find the one with the right features at the most competitive price.
  • Understand the fine print and illness definitions to ensure the cover is robust.
  • Help you frame your application, especially if you have existing health conditions, to give you the best chance of securing cover on fair terms.

Step 4: Be Completely Honest When you apply for insurance, you will be asked detailed questions about your health, lifestyle, and family medical history. It is absolutely vital that you are 100% honest and disclose everything. Withholding information, even accidentally, is known as 'non-disclosure' and can give the insurer grounds to void your policy and refuse to pay a claim, leaving you and your family exposed when you need help the most.

Conclusion: From Bleak Reality to a Secure Future

The data is undeniable. The UK Health Gap is a real and present danger to the financial security of millions. We are living longer, but we are facing decades of potential ill health with a state safety net that is wholly inadequate to protect our homes, our lifestyles, and our family's future.

To ignore this reality is to gamble with everything you've worked for. But you do not have to be a victim of these statistics. You can take control.

By building a personal LCIIP shield, you can neutralise the financial threat of illness. Income Protection can replace your salary, Critical Illness Cover can provide a capital lifeline, and Life Insurance can secure your legacy. It transforms a future of uncertainty and dread into one of dignity, choice, and security.

Protecting your future starts with a conversation. Don't wait for a health crisis to become a financial crisis. Contact the experts at WeCovr today for a free, no-obligation review of your protection needs, and take the first and most important step towards securing your future against the realities of the UK's Health Gap.


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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