Login

UK Healthy Years Crisis 5+ Lost

UK Healthy Years Crisis 5+ Lost 2026 | Top Insurance Guides

UK 2025 Shock New Data Reveals Britons Face an Average of 5+ Years in Poor Health Before State Pension Age, Fueling a Staggering £4 Million+ Lifetime Financial Catastrophe of Lost Earnings, Unfunded Care Needs & Eroding Family Futures – Is Your LCIIP Shield Your Unrivaled Protection for a Longer, Healthier Life

A silent crisis is unfolding across the United Kingdom. It doesn’t dominate the headlines, but its impact on families is profound, personal, and financially devastating. New projections for 2025 reveal a sobering truth: while we may be living longer, we are not living healthier for longer.

The latest data indicates that the average Briton now faces over five years of moderate to severe ill health before they even reach State Pension Age. This isn't just a health crisis; it's a financial catastrophe in the making.

This "lost decade" of wellbeing is creating a financial vortex, capable of swallowing over £5.2 million in lifetime earnings, savings, and assets for a typical high-earning family. It's a perfect storm of lost income, unexpected and unfunded care costs, and the systematic erosion of the future you’ve worked so hard to build.

In this definitive guide, we will unpack this shocking new reality. We will dissect the multi-million-pound financial threat and, most importantly, reveal the powerful, three-layered defence available to every family: the LCIIP Shield (Life, Critical Illness, and Income Protection). This isn't just about insurance; it's about securing your financial resilience, your peace of mind, and the chance for a longer, healthier life.

The Sobering Reality: Unpacking the UK's 2025 Healthy Life Expectancy Data

To understand the scale of the problem, we must first distinguish between two crucial metrics:

  • Life Expectancy (LE): The total number of years a person is expected to live.
  • Healthy Life Expectancy (HLE): The number of years a person is expected to live in a state of "good" or "very good" health, free from disabling conditions.

For decades, the gap between these two figures has been a concern for public health officials. Now, fresh projections for 2025 from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) paint an alarming picture. The gap is not closing; for many, it's widening.

According to the ONS Health state life expectancies data(ons.gov.uk), a significant portion of our later lives will be spent managing illness.

UK Life Expectancy vs. Healthy Life Expectancy (2025 Projections)

Age GroupLife Expectancy (LE)Healthy Life Expectancy (HLE)Years in Poor Health
Male (at birth)80.1 years62.9 years17.2 years
Female (at birth)83.8 years63.3 years20.5 years
Male (at 65)19.0 years (to 84.0)9.8 years (to 74.8)9.2 years
Female (at 65)21.4 years (to 86.4)10.1 years (to 75.1)11.3 years

Source: Analysis based on ONS and Public Health England trend data, projected for 2025.

The most shocking statistic emerges when we look at the years leading up to retirement. The current State Pension age is 66, set to rise to 67 between 2026 and 2028. With healthy life expectancy hovering around 63, this creates a dangerous "disability gap" of at least four to five years where individuals may be too unwell to work but are not yet eligible for their state pension.

What's Driving This Decline in Healthy Years?

This isn't happening by accident. A combination of factors is contributing to the UK's growing health crisis:

  • Rise of Chronic Conditions: Modern medicine is excellent at keeping us alive, but we are seeing soaring rates of long-term conditions like Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal issues (e.g., arthritis, back pain), and respiratory illnesses.
  • The Mental Health Epidemic: Conditions like anxiety, depression, and stress are now leading causes of long-term work absence, impacting people in the prime of their careers.
  • Lifestyle Factors: Despite public health campaigns, rates of obesity and physical inactivity remain stubbornly high, acting as a key driver for many chronic diseases.
  • An Ageing Population: As the 'baby boomer' generation moves into their 60s and 70s, the sheer number of people living with multiple health conditions is increasing dramatically.

This isn't just a "problem for the elderly." The seeds of these final-decade health issues are sown much earlier in life, often striking individuals in their 40s and 50s, derailing careers and financial plans at their peak.

The £4 Million+ Financial Catastrophe: How Ill Health Derails Your Life's Plans

The headline figure of a "£4 Million+ Lifetime Financial Catastrophe" can seem abstract. How can the cost of ill health spiral to such an astronomical sum?

It's important to clarify: this figure represents a potential worst-case scenario for a high-earning couple, perhaps business owners or senior professionals, where a serious, long-term illness strikes early. However, even for an average family, the financial fallout can easily reach hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Let's break down the devastating financial impact, component by component.

The Anatomy of a Financial Collapse

The cost of ill health isn't a single event. It's a cascade of financial pressures that compound over time.

  1. Lost Earnings (The Primary Hit): This is the most immediate and significant blow. If you are forced to stop working at 55 due to a stroke or cancer diagnosis, you lose 12 years of your peak earning potential before reaching State Pension Age.
  2. Unfunded Care Costs (The Hidden Drain): While the NHS provides medical treatment, it does not cover social care. The cost of home help, specialist equipment, residential care, or private therapies can be crippling.
  3. Pension and Investment Erosion (The Future Thief): You stop contributing to your pension, missing out on decades of compound growth. Worse, you are often forced to raid your existing pension pot and savings just to survive, decimating your retirement plans.
  4. Impact on Your Partner (The Double Whammy): Often, a spouse or partner must reduce their working hours or give up their career entirely to become a carer, slashing household income in half.

A Grounded Example: The £750,000+ Hole for an Average Family

Let's move away from the worst-case scenario and look at a more typical situation. Meet the "Millers," a couple in their late 40s. One earns £50,000 and the other £35,000. They have a mortgage and two children. The higher earner suffers a major heart attack at 48 and can no longer work in their stressful role.

Financial Impact Analysis for the 'Miller' Family

Financial Impact AreaCalculationEstimated Cost
Lost Gross Salary£50,000/year for 19 years (48 to 67)£950,000
Lost Pension Contributions8% (employer/employee) of salary for 19 years£76,000
Lost Pension GrowthLost growth on contributions (assuming 5% annually)£125,000+
Spouse's Reduced IncomePartner reduces hours (loss of £10k/year for 5 yrs)£50,000
Care & Adaptation CostsHome adaptations, physio, occasional help£35,000
Early Pension DrawdownDepleting funds needed for later retirement-
Less State Support (SSP)Statutory Sick Pay provides just £23,000 over 28 weeks(£23,000)
Total Net Financial Hole(Figures illustrative)~£1,213,000

Even after accounting for basic state support, the Millers face a financial black hole well over one million pounds. They lose their primary income, their ability to save for the future is destroyed, their home may be at risk, and their children's future (university funds, inheritance) is jeopardised.

This is the true face of the Healthy Years Crisis.

The "LCIIP Shield": Your Three Lines of Financial Defence

Faced with such a daunting prospect, it's easy to feel powerless. But you are not. A robust, multi-layered financial protection strategy, which we call the "LCIIP Shield," is the single most effective way to make your family's finances invincible to the impact of ill health.

LCIIP stands for:

  • Life Insurance
  • Critical Illness Cover
  • Income Protection

These are not interchangeable products; they are distinct tools designed to work together, protecting you and your family at different stages of a health crisis.

Line 1: Income Protection Insurance (The Bedrock of Your Shield)

If you could only choose one policy, this would be it. Income Protection (IP) is designed to do one thing brilliantly: replace your monthly salary if you are unable to work due to any illness or injury.

  • How it works: After a pre-agreed waiting period (the "deferred period," typically 1, 3, or 6 months), the policy pays you a regular, tax-free monthly income. This can continue right up until you are able to return to work, or until your chosen retirement age.
  • Why it's essential: It protects your day-to-day life. It pays the mortgage, covers the bills, buys the groceries, and keeps your life running. It prevents you from having to rely on meagre state benefits or deplete your savings for daily survival.

Income Protection vs. State Support

FeatureIncome Protection PolicyStatutory Sick Pay (SSP)
Payment Amount50-70% of your gross salary (tax-free)£116.75 per week (2025/26 rate)
DurationCan pay until retirement age (e.g., 67)Maximum of 28 weeks
CoverageCovers almost any illness or injuryBasic minimum requirement for employers
PurposeTo maintain your lifestyleTo provide minimal subsistence

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

While Income Protection handles the monthly cash flow, Critical Illness Cover (CIC) provides a major capital injection. It pays out a tax-free lump sum on the diagnosis of a specific, serious condition defined in the policy.

The "big three" conditions covered by all providers are cancer, heart attack, and stroke, which account for the vast majority of claims. However, modern policies often cover 50+ conditions, including multiple sclerosis, major organ transplant, and Parkinson's disease.

  • How it works: You are diagnosed with a qualifying illness. You make a claim. The insurer pays you a large, tax-free sum (e.g., £150,000).
  • What the lump sum is for: This is financial firepower. It can be used for anything, but common uses include:
    • Clearing your mortgage and other major debts instantly.
    • Funding private medical treatment or specialist therapies not available on the NHS.
    • Making adaptations to your home (e.g., wheelchair ramps, walk-in shower).
    • Replacing a partner's income so they can afford to take time off to care for you.
    • Creating a stress-free fund for recovery, so you can focus on getting better, not on bills.

Line 3: Life Insurance (The Ultimate Family Legacy)

Life Insurance is the final, crucial layer of the shield. It provides a guaranteed, tax-free lump sum to your loved ones in the event of your death. While it doesn't protect you directly, it protects the future of those you leave behind.

  • How it works: You pay a monthly premium. If you pass away during the policy term, your chosen beneficiaries receive the payout.
  • Why it completes the shield: It ensures that even in the worst-case scenario, your family is secure. The payout can:
    • Pay off the remaining mortgage, ensuring they keep the family home.
    • Provide an income for your surviving partner.
    • Fund your children's education and future.
    • Cover funeral expenses and any potential Inheritance Tax liability.

Together, these three policies create a comprehensive fortress around your finances, protecting your income, your assets, and your family's future from the devastating impact of the Healthy Years Crisis.

Get Tailored Quote

Why State Support and Savings Aren't Enough

A common misconception is that "the state will look after me" or "I have savings to fall back on." In the face of a long-term health condition, both of these safety nets are woefully inadequate.

The Myth of the State Safety Net

  • Statutory Sick Pay (SSP): As shown in the table above, at just £116.75 per week, SSP is unlikely to cover even the average weekly grocery bill, let alone a mortgage payment. And it stops after 28 weeks, just as a serious illness is often getting into its stride.
  • Universal Credit / Employment and Support Allowance (ESA): While these benefits exist for longer-term illness, the application process is notoriously difficult, the eligibility criteria are stringent, and the payments are designed for basic subsistence only. They are not designed to protect your home, lifestyle, or financial future.

The Illusion of Savings

Let's be generous and say you have £20,000 saved.

If your household's monthly outgoings are £3,000 and your income drops to zero (or the £500 a month from SSP), your savings will be completely exhausted in less than 8 months.

A long-term illness is not a 'rainy day'; it is a catastrophic, multi-year financial storm. Your savings are a lifeboat, not an ocean liner. They will sink.

WeCovr: Your Partner in Building a Resilient Financial Future

Navigating the world of protection insurance can feel complex. The market is filled with providers like Aviva, Legal & General, Royal London, and Zurich, all offering slightly different products with varying definitions and benefits. This is where an expert, independent broker becomes invaluable.

At WeCovr, we act as your personal guide. We don't work for an insurance company; we work for you. Our role is to search the entire UK market to find the combination of policies that provides the best possible cover for your unique circumstances and budget. We translate the jargon and ensure there are no hidden surprises in the small print.

But we believe that true protection goes beyond just the financial. It's about empowering our clients to live longer, healthier lives.

That's why, at WeCovr, we provide all our clients with complimentary access to our exclusive, AI-powered calorie and nutrition tracker, CalorieHero. We see this as a vital part of our service. While we build your financial shield to protect you if things go wrong, CalorieHero helps you proactively invest in your health to reduce the chances of needing to claim in the first place. It's our commitment to your total wellbeing.

Case Studies: The LCIIP Shield in Action

The power of this protection is best illustrated through real-world scenarios.

Case Study 1: David, 32, Software Developer - The Power of Income Protection

David was a fit and active 32-year-old. He took out an Income Protection policy covering 60% of his £60,000 salary, thinking he'd likely never need it. A year later, a severe and unexpected back injury from a minor accident left him unable to sit at a desk for long periods. He couldn't do his job.

  • Without Protection: After 28 weeks, his SSP would have ended. He would have faced a terrifying choice: burn through his limited savings, move back in with his parents, or risk further injury by trying to work.
  • With his IP Policy: After his 3-month deferred period, his policy started paying him £2,500 tax-free every month. This covered his rent and bills, allowing him to focus entirely on his extensive physiotherapy. After 14 months, he was able to return to work part-time, and his policy provided a partial payment to top up his reduced earnings until he was fully recovered. The policy saved him from financial ruin.

Case Study 2: Maria, 44, Mother of Two - The Impact of Critical Illness Cover

Maria, a part-time administrator, and her husband had a £200,000 mortgage. They took out a joint Life and Critical Illness policy when they bought their home. At 44, Maria was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her prognosis was good, but she needed a year of gruelling treatment, including surgery and chemotherapy.

  • Without Protection: The family's income would have been slashed. Her husband would have had to continue working full-time, adding immense stress. They would have struggled with mortgage payments and the extra costs of travel to hospital appointments.
  • With their CIC Policy: The policy paid out a £200,000 lump sum. They used it to completely clear their mortgage. This single act transformed their situation. The financial pressure vanished. Maria's husband was able to reduce his hours to support her and the children. They used a small portion of the money for a family holiday after her treatment to aid her recovery. The policy didn't just provide money; it provided peace, time, and control.

Beyond Finance: The Holistic Benefits of Proactive Protection

Modern protection policies offer far more than just a cheque. The UK's leading insurers have packed their products with value-added services that can be used from day one, actively supporting your health and wellbeing.

Common Value-Added Services with Modern Protection Policies

BenefitDescriptionPotential Providers
Virtual GP 24/7On-demand access to a UK-based GP via phone or video call.Aviva, L&G, Vitality
Mental Health SupportAccess to a set number of counselling or therapy sessions.Royal London, Zurich
Second Medical OpinionGet your diagnosis and treatment plan reviewed by a world-leading expert.AIG, Guardian
Physiotherapy & RehabSupport to help you recover and get back to work faster.Most IP providers
Health & Fitness DiscountsReduced gym memberships or discounts on fitness trackers.Vitality, YuLife
Personal Nurse AdvisorsA dedicated nurse to support you and your family through a serious illness.Most CIC providers

These services turn your insurance policy from a passive safety net into an active health partner. They can help you get diagnosed faster, access treatment quicker, and receive the emotional and physical support you need to navigate a difficult time.

Your Action Plan: How to Build Your LCIIP Shield Today

Taking the first step is the most important one. Building your financial shield is a clear, manageable process.

Step 1: Assess Your Situation Grab a pen and paper. List your key financial details:

  • Your monthly income (and your partner's).
  • Your essential monthly outgoings (mortgage/rent, bills, food).
  • Your major debts (mortgage, car loans, credit cards).
  • Your dependents (children, non-working partner).
  • Your existing protection (e.g., death-in-service benefit from your employer) and savings.

Step 2: Understand Your Risks Be honest with yourself.

  • Does your family have a history of certain medical conditions?
  • Is your job physically demanding or highly stressful?
  • What would be the single biggest financial disaster for your family? A loss of income, or a huge unexpected cost?

Step 3: Calculate Your Needs (A Rough Guide)

  • Income Protection: Aim to cover at least your essential outgoings. This is usually 50-60% of your gross salary.
  • Critical Illness Cover: A good starting point is to cover your mortgage plus one year's salary to give you a buffer.
  • Life Insurance: The classic rule of thumb is 10 times your annual salary, but it should be enough to clear debts and provide for your family's future.

Step 4: Speak to an Expert This is the most crucial step. A simple online quote form cannot understand your family's unique story, your fears, or your priorities. An expert adviser can.

A specialist protection broker like WeCovr will perform a full fact-find, discuss your needs in plain English, and then search the market to build a tailored LCIIP shield that fits your budget. We do the hard work so you can have complete confidence in your cover.

Step 5: Review Regularly Your protection needs are not static. You should review your cover every few years, or after any major life event:

  • Getting married or divorced.
  • Having a child.
  • Getting a promotion or changing jobs.
  • Moving home and taking on a larger mortgage.

Don't Be a Statistic: Secure Your Health, Wealth, and Future

The data is clear. The UK's Healthy Years Crisis is a real and present danger to the financial security of millions of families. Relying on hope, meagre state benefits, or inadequate savings is a gamble you cannot afford to take.

The good news is that the solution is equally clear. The LCIIP Shield—a robust combination of Income Protection, Critical Illness Cover, and Life Insurance—is the definitive answer. It is the only strategy that comprehensively protects your income, your assets, and your family's future from the financial devastation of long-term ill health.

Taking control of your financial destiny is an act of empowerment. It provides not just money, but peace of mind. It allows you to focus on what truly matters: your health, your recovery, and the people you love.

Don't wait for a crisis to reveal the cracks in your financial foundation. Take the first step today to build your shield and secure your future.


Related guides

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:

Our Group Is Proud To Have Issued 800,000+ Policies!

We've established collaboration agreements with leading insurance groups to create tailored coverage
Working with leading UK insurers
Allianz Logo
Ageas Logo
Covea Logo
AIG Logo
Zurich Logo
BUPA Logo
Aviva Logo
Axa Logo
Vitality Logo
Exeter Logo
WPA Logo
National Friendly Logo
General & Medical Logo
Legal & General Logo
ARAG Logo
Scottish Widows Logo
Metlife Logo
HSBC Logo
Guardian Logo
Royal London Logo
Cigna Logo
NIG Logo
CanadaLife Logo
TMHCC Logo

How It Works

1. Complete a brief form
Complete a brief form
2. Our experts analyse your information and find you best quotes
Experts discuss your quotes
3. Enjoy your protection!
Enjoy your protection

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.



...

Who Are WeCovr?

WeCovr is an insurance specialist for people valuing their peace of mind and a great service.

👍 WeCovr will help you get your private medical insurance, life insurance, critical illness insurance and others in no time thanks to our wonderful super-friendly experts ready to assist you every step of the way.

Just a quick and simple form and an easy conversation with one of our experts and your valuable insurance policy is in place for that needed peace of mind!

Important Information

Since 2011, WeCovr has helped thousands of individuals, families, and businesses protect what matters most. We make it easy to get quotes for life insurance, critical illness cover, private medical insurance, and a wide range of other insurance types. We also provide embedded insurance solutions tailored for business partners and platforms.

Political And Credit Risks Ltd is a registered company in England and Wales. Company Number: 07691072. Data Protection Register Number: ZA207579. Registered Office: 22-45 Old Castle Street, London, E1 7NY. WeCovr is a trading style of Political And Credit Risks Ltd. Political And Credit Risks Ltd is Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and is on the Financial Services Register under number 735613.

About WeCovr

WeCovr is your trusted partner for comprehensive insurance solutions. We help families and individuals find the right protection for their needs.