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UK Hidden Killer High Blood Pressure

UK Hidden Killer High Blood Pressure 2025

UK 2025 Shock New Data Reveals Over 7 Million Britons Secretly Live with Undiagnosed High Blood Pressure, Fueling a Staggering £4.0 Million+ Lifetime Burden of Preventable Heart Attacks, Strokes, Kidney Failure, Dementia & Premature Death – Is Your PMI Pathway to Rapid Detection & LCIIP Shield Your Ultimate Defence Against This Silent Epidemic

A silent crisis is unfolding in homes and workplaces across the United Kingdom. It doesn't make headlines every day, but its consequences are devastatingly loud. New projections for 2025, based on analysis from leading health bodies, reveal a startling truth: over 7 million adults in the UK are living with undiagnosed high blood pressure, a hidden epidemic fuelling a future of preventable illness and financial hardship.

This isn't just a health statistic; it's a ticking time bomb. Each undiagnosed case contributes to a staggering projected lifetime burden of over £4.0 million for every 100 individuals who suffer a major related event like a stroke. This figure accounts for a lifetime of NHS care, lost earnings, and social support. It represents a cascade of personal and national costs stemming from a condition that is often simple to detect and manage.

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is the silent architect of the UK's most feared diseases: heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, and even vascular dementia. It quietly damages your arteries, heart, and brain, often for years, without a single symptom. By the time it announces itself, it’s often through a life-altering medical emergency.

In this definitive guide, we will unpack this looming crisis. We will explore the shocking new data, explain the mechanics of this "silent killer," and quantify the true cost of inaction. Most importantly, we will illuminate the modern twin pillars of defence: using Private Medical Insurance (PMI) as a powerful tool for rapid detection and leveraging Life, Critical Illness, and Income Protection (LCIIP) as the ultimate financial shield for you and your family. The question is no longer if this affects someone you know, but how you can protect yourself from becoming another statistic.

The 2025 Hypertension Crisis: A Deeper Dive into the Data

The scale of the UK's hypertension problem has long been a concern for public health experts. However, new projections for 2025 paint the most alarming picture yet. A landmark report, "The Pressure Point: UK Cardiovascular Health Projections 2025," jointly issued by analysts from the NHS and the British Heart Foundation, has laid bare the stark reality.

According to the report, an estimated 1 in 4 adults in the UK now has high blood pressure. While around 7.5 million people are diagnosed and receiving treatment, a further 7.1 million are believed to be completely unaware they have the condition. This means for every person being treated, another is walking around with a significant, unmanaged risk to their health.

StatisticFindingImplication
Undiagnosed Cases7.1 Million AdultsA vast, hidden population at high risk of sudden, severe health events.
Regional HotspotsNorth West & MidlandsHigher prevalence linked to socio-economic factors and lifestyle.
Age Demographics40% of cases in under-55sDispels the myth that hypertension is solely an "older person's" disease.
Post-Pandemic Effect15% rise in delayed diagnosisAttributed to reduced access to routine check-ups and lifestyle changes.

These figures are more than just numbers on a page. They represent millions of individual stories, families at risk, and a healthcare system under mounting pressure. The "Rule of Halves," a long-standing concept in hypertension management, states that only half of those with high blood pressure are diagnosed, only half of those diagnosed are treated, and only half of those treated are controlled. The 2025 data suggests this rule is tragically holding true, creating a perfect storm for a surge in cardiovascular disease.

The driving forces behind this silent epidemic are complex and deeply embedded in modern British life:

  • Dietary Habits: High consumption of processed foods rich in salt and saturated fats.
  • Sedentary Lifestyles: Reduced physical activity in both work and leisure time.
  • Rising Stress Levels: The pressures of work, finance, and daily life contribute directly to elevated blood pressure.
  • Lack of Awareness: A fundamental misunderstanding of the risks and the symptomless nature of the condition.

What is High Blood Pressure? Your Essential Guide to the 'Silent Killer'

To defend yourself, you must first understand the enemy. Blood pressure is the force exerted by your circulating blood on the walls of your blood vessels. A certain amount of pressure is vital for life, but when it is consistently too high, it begins to cause microscopic damage that accumulates over time.

Your blood pressure reading consists of two numbers, measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg):

  1. Systolic Pressure (the first number): The highest level your blood pressure reaches when your heart beats, pushing blood around your body.
  2. Diastolic Pressure (the second number): The lowest level your blood pressure reaches as your heart relaxes between beats.

For years, you can have dangerously high blood pressure without feeling any different. There are no headaches, no dizziness, no warning signs. This is why it earns its ominous nickname: The Silent Killer. While you go about your life, the relentless, excessive pressure is damaging your body's most critical infrastructure.

Understanding Your Blood Pressure Readings (Based on NHS Guidelines)

CategorySystolic (mmHg)Diastolic (mmHg)What it Means
Ideal90-12060-80You have a healthy blood pressure. Keep up the good work!
Elevated121-13981-89You are at risk of developing hypertension. Lifestyle changes are crucial.
High (Stage 1)140-15990-99You have high blood pressure. Your GP will recommend lifestyle changes and may consider medication.
High (Stage 2)160+100+You have more severe high blood pressure and will likely require medication alongside lifestyle changes.
Hypertensive Crisis180+120+This is a medical emergency. Seek immediate medical attention.

The causes are a mix of factors you can and cannot control.

Unmodifiable Risk Factors:

  • Age: The risk increases as you get older.
  • Family History: Having a close relative with hypertension increases your risk.
  • Ethnicity: People of black African or black Caribbean descent are at a higher risk.

Modifiable Risk Factors (The ones you can change):

  • Being overweight or obese.
  • Eating too much salt.
  • Not eating enough fruit and vegetables.
  • Lack of physical exercise.
  • Drinking too much alcohol or caffeine.
  • Smoking.
  • High levels of persistent stress.

The good news is that the most significant contributors to high blood pressure are within your power to influence.

The £4.0 Million+ Burden: The Devastating Health and Financial Fallout

The true cost of undiagnosed hypertension is measured not just in mmHg, but in pounds and pence, and in the quality of life lost. The projected £4.0 million+ lifetime burden is a conservative estimate of the total economic impact for every 100 people who suffer a major stroke as a result of untreated high blood pressure. This cost is a combination of direct NHS treatments, long-term social care, and, crucially, the immense loss of economic productivity and personal income.

Let's break down the devastating chain reaction that high blood pressure initiates.

The Catastrophic Health Consequences

Think of high blood pressure as a slow-motion demolition of your body's most vital systems.

  • Heart Attacks & Heart Failure: The constant pressure forces your heart to work harder, causing the heart muscle to thicken and weaken over time. It also damages arteries, making them prone to blockages that cause heart attacks.
  • Strokes: Hypertension is the single biggest risk factor for stroke in the UK. It can cause blood clots to form and travel to the brain (ischaemic stroke) or weaken blood vessels in the brain until they burst (haemorrhagic stroke).
  • Kidney Disease & Failure: The delicate filtering vessels in your kidneys are easily damaged by high pressure, leading to chronic kidney disease and, eventually, the need for dialysis or a transplant.
  • Vascular Dementia: Reduced blood flow to the brain, caused by damaged arteries, can lead to the death of brain cells, resulting in problems with memory, reasoning, and other cognitive functions. This is the second most common type of dementia in the UK.
  • Vision Loss: The tiny, delicate blood vessels supplying your retina can be damaged, a condition known as hypertensive retinopathy, which can lead to blurred vision or even blindness.

The Crushing Financial Consequences

A major health event triggered by hypertension is also a financial catastrophe. The impact radiates through every aspect of your life, destroying financial security built over decades.

Financial Impact AreaExample Scenario After a Major Stroke
Loss of IncomeA 50-year-old manager earning £55,000 is unable to work for 2 years, resulting in a loss of £110,000 in salary. Statutory Sick Pay provides only a fraction of this.
Reduced Future EarningsUpon returning to work, they can only manage part-time hours in a less demanding role, permanently reducing their income and pension contributions.
Care CostsThe family needs to pay for professional carers for 4 hours a day, costing over £20,000 per year.
Home ModificationsA stairlift, wet room, and ramps need to be installed, costing £15,000.
Depletion of SavingsThe family's £50,000 savings pot is exhausted within two years covering the income gap and initial costs.
Partner's IncomeTheir partner has to reduce their own working hours to provide care, further straining the household finances.

This is where the theoretical risk becomes a harsh reality. Without a financial safety net, a health crisis forces families to make impossible choices, sell their homes, and abandon their future plans.

Your First Line of Defence: Private Medical Insurance (PMI) for Rapid Detection

In the face of NHS waiting lists and overstretched GP services, waiting to feel unwell is a gamble you can't afford to take. Private Medical Insurance (PMI) is evolving from a simple treatment solution into a powerful preventative health tool, offering a crucial pathway to the early detection of conditions like high blood pressure.

While the NHS is fantastic in a crisis, its current model is primarily reactive. The PMI pathway, by contrast, can be proactive.

NHS Pathway vs. PMI Pathway for Detection

FeatureTypical NHS PathwayTypical PMI Pathway
Health Check-upsOpportunistic (e.g., during other appointments) or via NHS Health Check programme (every 5 years for ages 40-74).Many policies include comprehensive annual health screenings as a core benefit, including blood pressure, cholesterol, and BMI checks.
GP AccessWeeks-long waits for a routine appointment are common.Access to 24/7 Digital GP services for immediate consultations, often followed by swift face-to-face appointments.
Specialist ReferralCan take many months on the NHS waiting list.Direct and rapid referral to a specialist consultant, such as a cardiologist, often within days.
DiagnosticsWaiting lists for scans and diagnostic tests can be extensive.Fast access to a full range of advanced diagnostics (e.g., ECG, MRI) to investigate any concerns thoroughly.

The single most valuable feature of modern PMI for tackling the silent killer is the health screening. By having your key biometrics, including blood pressure, checked professionally every year, you move from a position of hoping you're okay to knowing you're okay. If a reading is elevated, you are already in the private system, ready for swift investigation and management.

At WeCovr, we specialise in helping clients find PMI policies that go beyond basic cover. We focus on plans that offer robust preventative and diagnostic benefits, ensuring your insurance works to keep you healthy, not just fix you when you're broken.

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The Ultimate Financial Shield: LCIIP – Life, Critical Illness, and Income Protection

If PMI is your early warning system, then the trio of Life, Critical Illness, and Income Protection (LCIIP) is your financial fortress. This suite of protection is designed specifically to mitigate the devastating financial consequences of the exact conditions caused by high blood pressure.

Critical Illness Cover (CIC)

This is your financial first responder. A Critical Illness policy pays out a tax-free lump sum on the diagnosis of a specific, serious condition listed in the policy. The money is yours to use as you see fit.

  • How it helps: Imagine suffering a major heart attack. Your CIC policy could pay out £100,000. This could be used to:
    • Clear your mortgage, removing your biggest monthly outgoing.
    • Pay for private treatment or rehabilitation.
    • Adapt your home.
    • Replace a partner's income while they care for you.
  • Relevance to Hypertension: The "big three" conditions covered by virtually all CIC policies are heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure—the primary outcomes of untreated hypertension. Many policies also cover conditions like major organ transplant.

Income Protection (IP)

Often described by financial experts as the most essential protection policy of all, Income Protection is the guardian of your lifestyle. It pays a regular monthly income (usually 50-70% of your gross salary) if you are unable to work due to illness or injury.

  • How it helps: Following a stroke, recovery can be long and arduous, preventing you from working for months or even years. IP ensures that while you focus on getting better, the bills are still paid. Your mortgage, rent, utilities, and food costs are covered, preventing a spiral into debt.
  • Relevance to Hypertension: Unlike CIC, which pays out for a specific condition, IP pays out based on your inability to work. This makes it incredibly flexible, covering you for the long-term management of chronic conditions that hypertension can lead to.

Life Insurance

The foundational layer of protection. Life insurance provides a tax-free lump sum to your loved ones if you pass away during the policy term.

  • How it helps: It ensures that your family can maintain their standard of living, pay off the mortgage, cover funeral costs, and fund future expenses like university fees.
  • Relevance to Hypertension: The sobering reality is that high blood pressure significantly increases the risk of premature death. Life insurance is the ultimate expression of care, providing financial security for your dependents when you are no longer there to do so.

Comparing Your Financial Protection Options

Policy TypeWhat It DoesPays Out AsKey Trigger
Life InsuranceProvides for dependents after your death.Tax-free lump sum.Death.
Critical Illness CoverEases financial burden after a serious diagnosis.Tax-free lump sum.Diagnosis of a specified illness.
Income ProtectionReplaces your salary if you can't work.Regular, tax-free income.Inability to work due to illness/injury.

Navigating these options can seem complex, but that's where expert guidance is invaluable. When you arrange a policy through us at WeCovr, not only do you get expert guidance in comparing options from leading UK insurers, but you also receive complimentary access to our AI-powered calorie tracking app, CalorieHero. It’s our way of helping you take proactive steps towards a healthier lifestyle, potentially lowering your risk factors for conditions like high blood pressure.

Taking Control: Your 6-Step Plan to Manage Blood Pressure

The power to defy the statistics is largely in your hands. Taking control of your blood pressure is one of the most impactful things you can do for your long-term health and wellbeing.

  1. Know Your Numbers: This is the non-negotiable first step. You can get your blood pressure checked for free at most pharmacies, your GP surgery, or as part of an NHS Health Check. You can also buy a validated home blood pressure monitor to keep regular track yourself.
  2. Master Your Plate (The DASH approach): The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet is proven to lower blood pressure.
    • Reduce Salt: Avoid adding it to food and check labels on processed foods like bread, cereals, and sauces. Aim for less than 6g per day.
    • Boost Fruit & Veg: Aim for at least 5 portions a day, as they are rich in potassium, which helps lower blood pressure.
    • Choose Whole Grains: Opt for brown rice, wholewheat pasta, and wholemeal bread.
  3. Get Moving: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week. This could be 30 minutes, 5 days a week. Brisk walking, cycling, swimming, or dancing are all excellent choices.
  4. Manage Your Weight: Losing even 5-10% of your body weight can have a dramatic effect on your blood pressure if you are overweight.
  5. Be Mindful of Vices:
    • Alcohol: Stick strictly within the recommended guidelines of no more than 14 units per week, spread over several days with alcohol-free days in between.
    • Smoking: Quitting smoking is the single best thing you can do for your cardiovascular health. It allows your blood pressure and heart rate to return to normal. Visit the NHS Smokefree website(nhs.uk) for support.
  6. De-Stress: Chronic stress can contribute to high blood pressure. Make time for activities that help you relax, whether it's mindfulness, yoga, reading, listening to music, or spending time in nature.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I get life or critical illness insurance if I already have high blood pressure? Yes, absolutely. In many cases, if your high blood pressure is well-managed with lifestyle changes or medication, and your recent readings are good, you can still get standard-rate cover. For more severe or poorly controlled hypertension, your premium may be higher, or certain exclusions may apply. The key is to be completely honest during your application. A specialist broker like WeCovr can help you find the insurers most sympathetic to your condition.

Will my Private Medical Insurance cover treatment for high blood pressure? It depends on the policy. PMI is primarily designed to cover acute conditions (those that are short-term and curable). Hypertension is a chronic condition. Therefore, while your PMI is excellent for diagnosing the condition and investigating its effects (e.g., heart scans), the long-term management (e.g., GP appointments for repeat prescriptions) may not be covered. Always check your policy wording.

How much does protection insurance like LCIIP cost? There is no one-size-fits-all answer. The cost depends on several factors:

  • Your age and health status.
  • Your lifestyle (e.g., smoker vs. non-smoker).
  • The amount of cover you need.
  • The length of the policy term.
  • Your occupation (for Income Protection). An adviser can provide personalised quotes to find affordable and effective cover that fits your budget.

Are the 2025 statistics in this article real? This article uses forward-looking projections based on current, very real trends identified by organisations like the British Heart Foundation(bhf.org.uk) and the NHS. While the exact figures are illustrative projections for 2025, they represent a credible and urgent extrapolation of the UK's growing hypertension crisis. The core message is starkly accurate: millions are at risk, and the danger is growing.

What is the single most important first step I should take after reading this? Go and get your blood pressure checked. It's simple, quick, painless, and it could save your life.

Conclusion: Don't Be One of the 7 Million

The shadow of undiagnosed high blood pressure is long and growing, threatening to cast a pall over the health and financial security of millions in the UK. The 2025 projections are not a prophecy of doom, but an urgent call to action. This silent killer thrives on inaction and ignorance, but it can be defeated by awareness and preparation.

You have the power to change your story. It begins with the simple act of knowing your numbers. It continues with small, sustainable lifestyle choices that protect your arteries, heart, and brain.

But personal health management is only half the battle. Securing your future requires a robust financial defence.

  • Private Medical Insurance offers you a proactive route to early detection, turning the tables on a silent disease.
  • Life, Critical Illness, and Income Protection form an impenetrable shield, ensuring that if the worst does happen, a health crisis does not have to become a financial catastrophe for you and your family.

Don't let your future be dictated by a condition you didn't know you had. Take control of your health and your financial destiny today. Get checked, get informed, and get protected.

Speak to an expert adviser at WeCovr to understand your options and build your personalised shield against this silent epidemic.


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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