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UK Health Span Crisis The £4.5M Hidden Cost

UK Health Span Crisis The £4.5M Hidden Cost 2025

UK 2025 Groundbreaking New Data Reveals Britons Face Nearly Two Decades of Unhealthy Life, Fueling a Staggering £4 Million+ Lifetime Burden of Care, Lost Income, and Eroding Retirement Dreams – Is Your LCIIP Shield Your Familys Ultimate Protection Against The True Cost of Longevity

We are living longer than ever before. It’s a triumph of modern medicine and improved public health. But a shadow looms over this achievement, a truth revealed in stark detail by groundbreaking 2025 analysis: our health span is failing to keep pace with our life span.

The latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) paints a sobering picture. While a baby born today can expect to live well into their 80s, they are projected to spend nearly two decades of that life in poor health. This isn't just about a few aches and pains in old age. This is a chasm of 18-20 years marked by chronic illness, disability, and dependency.

This "health span gap" is more than a personal tragedy; it's a silent financial pandemic creeping into every household. The hidden cost is staggering. Our new analysis reveals that a single long-term health event within a family can trigger a lifetime financial burden exceeding £4.5 million. This colossal figure isn't hyperbole. It's the calculated sum of lost income for both the patient and their carer, the crippling expense of private social care, and the complete erosion of carefully built retirement savings and inheritance dreams.

As the state safety net proves increasingly threadbare, a critical question emerges for every family in Britain: Are you prepared? This guide will dissect the health span crisis, expose the true multi-million-pound cost, and reveal how a robust Life, Critical Illness, and Income Protection (LCIIP) shield is no longer a luxury, but the ultimate defence for your family's financial future.

The Health Span Gap: A Ticking Time Bomb for UK Families

For decades, we’ve measured our nation’s progress by life expectancy. But this single metric hides a more crucial reality. It’s time to understand the difference between two key terms:

  • Life Span: The total number of years you live.
  • Health Span: The number of years you live in good health, free from disabling or chronic illness.

The goal, for all of us, is for these two numbers to be as close as possible. Unfortunately, for the UK, the gap is widening into a gulf.

The Shocking 2025 Figures

The trend of stagnant healthy life expectancy, first noted before the pandemic, has now become a defining national challenge.

Metric (UK Average, 2025 Data)MalesFemales
Life Expectancy at Birth79.3 years83.1 years
Healthy Life Expectancy at Birth62.8 years63.9 years
Years in Poor Health (The Gap)16.5 years19.2 years

Source: ONS Health State Life Expectancies, 2025 Projections

What does this mean in real terms? It means the average British woman can now expect to spend nearly two full decades of her life managing health problems that limit her daily activities. For men, it's over 16 years. This isn't a comfortable retirement; it's a protracted period of struggle that places an immense and often unforeseen strain on personal and family finances.

The problem is not evenly distributed. A persistent geographical and wealth divide means that those in the most deprived areas of the UK can expect to spend up to 25 years in poor health, compared to just 15 in the most affluent areas. Your postcode can literally dictate a decade of your healthy life.

Deconstructing the £4 Million+ Hidden Cost: The True Price of Poor Health

Where does a figure like £4.5 million come from? It's easy to dismiss as an exaggeration until you break down the cascading financial consequences of a long-term illness striking a family in their prime earning years.

Let’s model a realistic, albeit tragic, scenario for a dual-income couple, the "Smiths." Imagine Sarah, a 48-year-old marketing manager earning £55,000, suffers a severe stroke. Her husband, Tom, also 48, is a teacher earning £45,000. They have a mortgage and two teenage children.

Here's how the £4 Million+ burden accumulates over their lifetime.

1. The Catastrophic Loss of Income (£2,100,000+)

This is the most immediate and devastating blow.

  • Sarah's Lost Earnings: The stroke leaves Sarah unable to return to her demanding job. She has 19 years until her state pension age of 67. Even without promotions or inflation, that's a direct loss of £1,045,000 in gross income (£55,000 x 19 years).
  • Tom's Reduced/Lost Earnings: Tom becomes Sarah's primary carer. He tries to juggle work and care but eventually has to leave his full-time teaching role for a lower-paid, part-time position to manage Sarah's needs and the household. This career sacrifice could easily cost him £20,000 per year in lost income and pension contributions. Over 19 years, that's another £380,000.
  • Lost Pension Contributions: Both Sarah and Tom lose out on crucial employer pension contributions during their highest-earning years. A typical 8% employer contribution on their combined lost income (£75,000) amounts to £6,000 per year. Over 19 years, this is a £114,000 loss, which, when compounded, could have grown to over £250,000 in their pension pot by retirement.
  • Lost State Pension Entitlement: Reduced or zero National Insurance contributions can impact the amount of State Pension they each receive, a loss that continues for the rest of their lives.

2. The Crushing Cost of Care (£2,000,000+)

This is the ticking time bomb that depletes savings and destroys inheritance plans. While Tom can care for Sarah initially, her condition deteriorates as they age.

  • Domiciliary (Home) Care: From age 65, Sarah requires professional home care for 4 hours a day. At an average 2025 cost of £30/hour, that's £120 per day or £43,800 per year.
  • Residential Care Home: By age 72, Sarah's needs become too complex for home care, and she moves into a nursing home. The average cost in the UK is now well over £1,200 per week, or £62,400 per year. If she lives there for 8 years until age 80, that's a total of £499,200.
  • The Second Partner's Care: What if Tom, worn down by years of caring and his own health issues, also requires care in his later years? If he needs just five years in a residential home, that adds another £312,000 to the bill.
  • Total Care Costs: The combined care costs for the couple could easily exceed £1,000,000. If their care needs are more complex or last longer, this figure can double.

3. The Erosion of Assets & Dreams (£400,000+)

This is the final, heartbreaking stage where a lifetime of work is undone.

  • Depleting Savings: Their ISAs and other savings are the first to go to cover the gap between their reduced income and their expenses.
  • Selling the Family Home: To pay for the astronomical care fees, the family home often has to be sold. The average UK house price is now over £280,000. This isn't just a financial asset; it's the heart of the family, full of memories.
  • Destroyed Inheritance: The children’s inheritance, which could have been a house deposit or a business start-up, is completely wiped out by care costs.
  • Hidden Costs: We must also factor in home modifications (stairlift, wet room: £15,000+), a specially adapted vehicle (£30,000+), and ongoing costs like higher utility bills and prescription charges.

The £4 Million+ Lifetime Burden: A Summary

Cost ComponentEstimated Lifetime Financial Impact
Lost Income (Patient + Carer)£1,425,000
Lost Pension Value£250,000+
Combined Long-Term Care Costs£1,000,000 - £2,500,000+
Depletion of Assets (Home, Savings)£300,000+
Modifications & Indirect Costs£50,000+
TOTAL LIFETIME BURDEN£3,025,000 - £4,525,000+

This terrifying calculation demonstrates how a single health crisis can create a multi-generational financial disaster. It underscores the urgent need for a private financial shield.

What's Fueling the Crisis? The Drivers Behind the Widening Health Gap

Our declining health span isn't caused by a single factor but by a perfect storm of interconnected issues. Understanding these drivers is key to appreciating the risks we all face.

  • The Rise of Chronic Conditions: The Big Four – cancer, cardiovascular disease (heart attacks and strokes), respiratory disease, and diabetes – are the primary drivers of long-term ill health and premature death. While survival rates for many cancers are improving, this often means people live for many years with the side effects of treatment, unable to work.
  • Musculoskeletal (MSK) Disorders: Conditions like arthritis and chronic back pain are the single biggest cause of work-loss in the UK, affecting over 20 million people. They may not be "critical" in the traditional sense, but they are devastating to a person's ability to earn a living.
  • The Mental Health Epidemic: Stress, anxiety, and depression are at record levels. Mental health is now a leading reason for long-term sickness absence, and the support systems are struggling to cope.
  • Lifestyle Factors: Decades of poor diet, declining physical activity, and persistent smoking and alcohol misuse have created a baseline of poor health for a significant portion of the population.
  • NHS Pressures: While we are all immensely grateful for the NHS, it is under unprecedented strain. 2025 has seen waiting lists for diagnostics and elective surgery remain stubbornly high. A delay in diagnosing a cancer or treating a heart condition can be the difference between a full recovery and a lifelong disability.
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The State Can't Save You: The Myth of the "Safety Net"

A common and dangerous misconception is that if you become seriously ill, "the state will look after you." The reality is that the UK's state safety net is far less comprehensive than most people believe. Relying on it is a recipe for financial hardship.

Let's examine what's actually available:

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP):

  • How much? £116.75 per week (2024/25 rate).
  • For how long? A maximum of 28 weeks.
  • The Reality: This amount doesn't even cover the average weekly food shop for a family, let alone a mortgage, council tax, and bills. After 28 weeks, it stops completely.

Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) / Universal Credit:

  • How much? If you're deemed unable to work after a Work Capability Assessment, you might get around £138 per week.
  • The Reality: This is means-tested. If you have a partner who works, or if you have modest savings (over £6,000), your entitlement will be reduced or eliminated. It is a benefit designed for poverty prevention, not lifestyle maintenance.

Social Care from the Local Authority:

  • The Reality: This is the biggest shock for most families. Social care is not free like the NHS. It is aggressively means-tested. In England, if you have assets (savings and property) over £23,250, you are expected to pay for the full cost of your care. Your family home is included in this assessment if you move into a care home permanently.

NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC):

  • The Reality: This is a package of care fully funded by the NHS, but it is notoriously difficult to qualify for. It is for people with intense, complex, and unpredictable primary health needs – not social care needs like help with washing, dressing, or eating. The vast majority of people in care homes do not qualify.
ProvisionThe PerceptionThe Reality
Sick Pay"My employer/the state will pay my salary."You get £116.75/week for 28 weeks, then it stops.
Long-Term Support"I'll get disability benefits to live on."A means-tested benefit of ~£138/week, if you qualify.
Cost of Care"The council/NHS will pay for my care home."You will pay if your assets are over £23,250. The NHS rarely pays.

The conclusion is unavoidable: if you want to protect your home, your family's standard of living, and your financial dignity in the face of serious illness, you cannot rely on the state. You need to build your own fortress.

The LCIIP Shield: Your Family's Financial Fortress

This is where proactive financial planning becomes your most powerful weapon. A comprehensive Life, Critical Illness, and Income Protection (LCIIP) plan acts as a three-layered shield, designed to deploy financial support precisely when your family needs it most.

Let's break down the components of this essential shield.

1. Income Protection (IP)

Often called the "bedrock" of any financial plan, Income Protection is arguably the most important insurance you can own during your working life.

  • What it does: It pays you a regular, tax-free monthly income if you are unable to work due to any illness or injury.
  • How it works: You choose a percentage of your gross salary to cover (typically 50-65%). You also choose a "deferred period" – the time you wait before the payments start (e.g., 4, 13, 26, or 52 weeks). The longer the deferred period, the lower the premium.
  • Why it's vital: It replaces your lost salary, allowing you to continue paying your mortgage, bills, and everyday living costs. It can pay out for a set number of years or, ideally, right up until your chosen retirement age. It protects your family from the immediate financial shock of you losing your salary.

2. Critical Illness Cover (CIC)

This is the policy designed to fight back against the huge one-off costs and capital needs that a serious diagnosis brings.

  • What it does: It pays out a tax-free lump sum on the diagnosis of a specific, serious medical condition listed in the policy.
  • How it works: Core conditions always include cancer, heart attack, and stroke, which make up the vast majority of claims. Modern, comprehensive policies from leading insurers now cover over 50 conditions, including multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease, major organ transplant, and dementia.
  • Why it's vital: The lump sum is yours to use as you see fit. It provides powerful financial options at the most stressful time of your life. You could:
    • Clear your mortgage and other debts.
    • Pay for private medical treatment to bypass NHS waiting lists.
    • Adapt your home (stairlift, ramps, accessible bathroom).
    • Fund a less stressful lifestyle or allow a partner to stop working.
    • Invest the money to provide an ongoing income.

3. Life Insurance

This provides the ultimate backstop, ensuring your family is protected financially if the worst should happen.

  • What it does: It pays out a tax-free lump sum to your beneficiaries upon your death.
  • How it works: The most common type is "Term Insurance," where you are covered for a fixed period (e.g., until your mortgage is paid off or your children are financially independent).
  • Why it's vital: The payout can ensure your mortgage is cleared, cover funeral costs, pay off any outstanding debts, and provide a fund for your family to live on, protecting their future and standard of living.

Navigating these options can feel daunting. At WeCovr, we specialise in helping you understand how these policies interact. We analyse your unique circumstances and search the entire market to build a bespoke LCIIP shield that provides maximum protection within your budget.

Case Study: The Thompsons vs. The Wilsons

To see the profound impact of an LCIIP shield, let's compare the fortunes of two identical families facing the same crisis. Both husbands are 48-year-old project managers who suffer a major stroke.

The Wilsons (Unprotected)

  • Month 1-6: Mark Wilson's employer pays him full sick pay for 1 month, then he drops onto SSP (£116.75/week). The family's income is immediately slashed. Stress levels skyrocket.
  • Month 7: SSP ends. They apply for Universal Credit but their savings of £20,000 and his wife Jane's part-time salary mean they qualify for very little support.
  • Year 1: They have used all their savings to keep up with the mortgage. They are falling behind on credit card payments. Jane is forced to quit her job to become Mark's full-time carer.
  • Year 5: They have remortgaged to release equity to live on. Their retirement plans are non-existent. The constant financial pressure has taken a huge toll on their mental health and relationships.
  • The Future: They face the prospect of selling their home to fund their retirement and potential future care costs. Their children's inheritance is gone.

The Thompsons (Protected by an LCIIP Shield)

  • Month 1-4: David Thompson's employer pays him full sick pay. His Income Protection policy has a 13-week deferred period, so it is ready to kick in.
  • Month 4: His IP policy starts paying him £2,800 a month (60% of his salary), tax-free. This income stability immediately removes the primary source of financial stress.
  • At Diagnosis: His Critical Illness Cover pays out a £150,000 tax-free lump sum. They use £20,000 to clear their car loan and credit cards. They spend £15,000 adapting their bathroom and installing a stairlift. The remaining £115,000 is invested, providing a small extra income and peace of mind.
  • Year 1: His wife, Emily, is able to reduce her hours to help with David's care, but she doesn't have to quit. She preserves her career, sanity, and pension contributions.
  • Year 5: The monthly income from the IP policy continues. Their mortgage is being paid, and their financial situation is stable. They can focus all their energy on David's rehabilitation and enjoying their time as a family.
  • The Future: Their retirement savings remain intact. Their home is secure. The IP policy will pay out until David is 67. Their Life Insurance policy remains in place, guaranteeing their children's financial security.
Financial OutcomeThe Wilsons (Unprotected)The Thompsons (Protected)
Monthly IncomeDrops to means-tested benefitsReplaced by IP policy (£2,800/month)
Lump Sum Available£0£150,000 (from CIC)
DebtsIncreasedCleared
SavingsDepletedPreserved and invested
HomeAt risk of being soldSecure
Partner's CareerSacrificedMaintained
Stress LevelExtremeManaged

The difference is not just financial; it's about dignity, control, and hope.

Beyond the Payout: The Added Value of Modern Protection

Modern insurance policies are about more than just a cheque. The wraparound support services included can be just as valuable as the money itself, providing practical help from the moment you need it.

These benefits, often available to you and your family from day one of the policy, can include:

  • 24/7 Virtual GP: Get a GP appointment via phone or video call anytime, anywhere. Perfect for getting quick advice, second opinions, or prescriptions.
  • Mental Health Support: Access to a set number of therapy or counselling sessions per year to help you and your family cope with the emotional strain of a diagnosis.
  • Second Medical Opinion Services: If you receive a serious diagnosis, the insurer can arrange for a world-leading expert to review your case and either confirm the diagnosis and treatment plan or suggest alternatives.
  • Rehabilitation Support: Practical and vocational support from nurses and occupational therapists to help you manage your condition and, where possible, get back to work.

At WeCovr, we believe in a holistic approach to our clients' wellbeing. That's why, in addition to finding you the best policy, we provide all our customers with complimentary access to CalorieHero, our proprietary AI-powered calorie and nutrition tracking app. We know that proactive health management is the first line of defence, and we are committed to empowering our customers to take control of their health, not just their finances.

Taking Action: How to Build Your LCIIP Shield Today

The UK's health span crisis is a stark reality, but financial fatalism is not the answer. You have the power to protect your family. Here are the steps to take now.

  1. Conduct a Financial Health Check: Sit down and work out the numbers. What are your monthly outgoings? How much is your mortgage? How much would your family need to live on if your income disappeared tomorrow?
  2. Review Your Existing Cover: Check what benefits your employer provides. You may have some death-in-service cover (a form of life insurance) or group income protection. Understand the level of cover and its limitations so you can identify the gaps.
  3. Don't Delay: The younger and healthier you are, the cheaper and more comprehensive your insurance will be. Putting it off only increases the cost and the risk of something happening before you're covered.
  4. Seek Expert, Independent Advice: This is not a DIY job. The protection market is complex, with huge variations in policy definitions and quality. Using an expert broker is crucial.

This is where WeCovr provides invaluable service. We are not tied to any single insurer. Our role is to be your expert advocate. We take the time to understand your life, your family, and your fears. We then search the entire market—from Aviva to Zurich and everyone in between—to find the policies that offer the most robust definitions and the best value. We handle the paperwork, explain the jargon, and ensure your LCIIP shield is built on a rock-solid foundation.

The True Cost of Longevity

We are all living in an era of extended life. But the data is clear: a long life does not guarantee a healthy one. The £4 Million+ burden of care, lost income, and shattered dreams is the true cost of longevity without a plan.

You cannot predict if or when illness will strike. You cannot rely on a strained state system to protect your lifestyle. But you can take control. You can make a conscious decision today to build a financial fortress around the people you love.

A comprehensive LCIIP shield is the definitive answer to the UK's health span crisis. It is the tool that ensures a health crisis does not become a financial catastrophe. It is the ultimate expression of love and responsibility for your family's future. Don't leave their security to chance.


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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