Login

UK Infertility Crisis: Costs, Care & Family Future

UK Infertility Crisis: Costs, Care & Family Future 2025

A shocking 1 in 7 Britons are projected to battle infertility by 2025, facing a potential £500,000+ lifetime burden in costly treatments, emotional distress, and career disruption. Discover your Private Medical Insurance (PMI) pathway to advanced fertility care and how LCIIP can shield your family's financial future.

UK 2025 Shock: 1 in 7 Britons Will Battle Infertility, Fueling a £500,000+ Lifetime Burden of Costly Treatments, Emotional Distress & Career Disruption – Your PMI Pathway to Advanced Fertility Care & LCIIP Shielding Your Family's Future

The quiet hope of starting a family is a cornerstone of life for millions across the UK. Yet, a creeping crisis is casting a long shadow over this dream. The latest projections for 2025 from the World Health Organization (WHO) and UK health bodies paint a stark picture: approximately 1 in 7 couples in the UK, or around 3.5 million people, will face infertility.

This isn't just a health statistic; it's the prologue to a gruelling journey that can impose a lifetime burden exceeding £500,000. This staggering figure isn't just the sum of expensive medical bills. It’s a devastating combination of:

  • Costly Private Treatments: Navigating the NHS "postcode lottery" often forces couples into the private sector, where a single IVF cycle can cost over £15,000, with many needing multiple attempts.
  • Crushing Emotional Distress: The cycle of hope and disappointment takes a profound toll, with studies linking infertility to rates of anxiety and depression comparable to those of cancer patients.
  • Severe Career Disruption: The relentless schedule of appointments, the physical recovery from treatments, and the mental strain can lead to lost promotions, reduced hours, or even force individuals to leave their jobs, decimating their lifetime earning potential.

For too long, this multifaceted crisis has been faced in silence, with financial plans left dangerously exposed. But the landscape is changing. A new generation of sophisticated insurance solutions—namely Private Medical Insurance (PMI) with enhanced fertility benefits and a robust shield of Life, Critical Illness, and Income Protection (LCIIP)—offers a powerful, proactive strategy.

This definitive guide will illuminate the true scale of the UK's infertility challenge and provide a clear roadmap. We will dissect the costs, explore the insurance pathways, and empower you with the knowledge to protect your financial future and your dream of building a family.

The Deepening Divide: Unpacking the UK's 2025 Infertility Crisis

The "1 in 7" figure is more than a headline; it's a reflection of profound societal and biological shifts. Understanding the drivers behind this escalating issue is the first step toward building an effective defence.

The Stark Reality: Why Is Infertility on the Rise?

Multiple converging factors are contributing to the UK's growing fertility challenge. It's a complex picture, far removed from the outdated notion of it being a singular issue.

  • The Age Factor: One of the most significant drivers is the trend of starting families later in life. As educational and career ambitions rightfully take precedence, the biological clock continues to tick. | Year | Average Age of Mother (First Child) | | :--- | :--- | | 1975 | 26.4 | | 1995 | 28.6 | | 2015 | 30.3 | | 2023 | 31.1 |

Female fertility begins a noticeable decline after the age of 35 and drops sharply after 40. Male fertility also declines with age, albeit more gradually.

  • Lifestyle and Environmental Pressures: Modern life exerts a heavy toll. Chronic stress, poor nutrition, obesity, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption are all proven to negatively impact both male and female fertility. Environmental pollutants and endocrine-disrupting chemicals are also increasingly cited as contributing factors.
  • Underlying Medical Conditions: A significant number of infertility cases are linked to pre-existing or undiagnosed medical conditions.
    • For women: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, fibroids, and pelvic inflammatory disease are common culprits.
    • For men: Issues like low sperm count or motility, varicoceles (enlarged veins in the scrotum), and hormonal imbalances are critical.

The Hidden Half: Male Infertility is Not a Footnote

For decades, the narrative around infertility has incorrectly placed the focus almost exclusively on women. The reality is profoundly different.

According to the NHS, male infertility is a factor in approximately 50% of all cases where couples struggle to conceive. In about half of these instances, it is the sole or main cause. Despite this, societal stigma and a lack of awareness mean men are often slower to seek investigation and support. This delay not only prolongs the emotional distress for the couple but can also waste precious time and financial resources.

The Emotional Battlefield: More Than a Medical Condition

The journey through infertility is an emotional marathon fraught with psychological hurdles. Fertility Network UK's 2022 survey revealed devastating insights:

  • 90% of respondents reported feeling depressed.
  • 42% felt suicidal.
  • 70% experienced relationship difficulties with their partner.

This isn't simply "feeling sad." It's a clinical state of grief, anxiety, and isolation. Couples often feel disconnected from friends who are starting families, leading to a painful social withdrawal. The monthly cycle of hope followed by disappointment creates a relentless emotional rollercoaster that can strain the strongest individuals and relationships to their breaking point.


Real-Life Example: Meet Tom and Chloe, a couple in their mid-30s from Manchester. After trying to conceive for two years, they were diagnosed with 'unexplained infertility'. The news triggered a period of intense anxiety for Chloe and silent withdrawal for Tom. Their social life dwindled as they avoided baby showers and family gatherings. The strain tested their marriage as they navigated feelings of blame and grief, all before spending a single pound on treatment.


The £500,000+ Burden: A Financial Autopsy of Infertility

The financial impact of infertility extends far beyond the invoice from a private clinic. It's a pervasive financial drain that can reshape a family's economic trajectory for decades. The £500,000+ figure becomes terrifyingly plausible when you dissect the true, lifelong costs.

The NHS Postcode Lottery: A Fractured System

In theory, the NHS provides fertility treatment. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines recommend that women under 40 should be offered three full cycles of IVF if they have been trying for two years.

In practice, this is rarely the case. Funding decisions are made by local Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), creating a "postcode lottery" where access to care depends entirely on where you live.

Region ExampleTypical NHS IVF Provision (2024/2025 Data)
Greater Manchester1-2 cycles, depending on borough
Bristol & North Somerset1 cycle
East of England (some areas)0-1 cycles (often with strict criteria)
ScotlandUp to 3 cycles (closer to NICE guidelines)
Wales2 cycles

This disparity forces the majority of couples into the private sector, often after a long and emotionally draining wait for limited NHS help.

The Spiralling Cost of Private Treatment

Once you step into the world of private fertility care, the costs accumulate rapidly. The "headline price" of a treatment cycle is often just the beginning.

Treatment / ServiceAverage Estimated Cost (UK Private Clinics)
Initial Consultation & Diagnostics£500 - £1,500
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)£1,000 - £2,000 per cycle
IVF Cycle (basic)£5,000 - £8,000 per cycle
ICSI (add-on to IVF)£1,000 - £2,000 extra per cycle
Fertility Medications£1,000 - £2,500 per cycle
Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET)£2,500 - £4,000 per cycle
Pre-implantation Genetic Testing (PGT)£3,000 - £5,000 extra
Using Donor Eggs£9,000 - £15,000+ per cycle

A typical couple might undergo three IVF cycles with medication and one FET. A conservative estimate for this journey is £30,000 - £50,000, with no guarantee of success.

Get Tailored Quote

The Lifetime Burden: Beyond the Clinic Bills

This is where the costs explode towards the £500,000+ mark. This "lifetime burden" is a combination of direct costs, lost opportunities, and alternative pathways.

  1. Career Disruption & Lost Earnings: A single IVF cycle requires numerous scans, blood tests, and procedures, often with little notice. This means time off work. The physical side effects can require days of recovery, while the emotional toll can lead to "presenteeism" (being at work but not productive) or long-term sick leave.

    • Consider a professional earning £60,000 per year. If their career stalls for 5 years due to the demands of treatment—missing out on promotions and pay rises they otherwise would have received—the lost lifetime earnings can easily exceed £150,000 - £200,000. In some cases, one partner may leave the workforce entirely.
  2. Debt and Asset Depletion: Many couples fund treatment by taking on significant debt, remortgaging their homes, or depleting their life savings and pension pots, compromising their long-term financial security.

  3. Alternative Family Building: If IVF fails or isn't an option, other routes are also incredibly expensive.

    • Surrogacy in the UK: While commercial surrogacy is illegal, altruistic surrogacy costs (covering the surrogate's expenses, legal fees, and clinic costs) typically run from £70,000 to £100,000.
    • Adoption: The process in the UK can involve legal and administrative fees costing up to £15,000.
  4. Long-Term Mental Health Care: The psychological scars can last a lifetime, requiring ongoing therapy and support, costing thousands over the years.

When you combine multiple failed IVF cycles (£50k+), significant career disruption and lost earnings (£200k+), the potential cost of surrogacy (£100k+), and the eventual cost of raising a child to 18 (estimated at over £200k by the Child Poverty Action Group), the £500,000+ lifetime financial impact becomes a stark reality.

The Modern Solution: Your Insurance Pathway to Care and Security

Facing this daunting landscape unarmed is no longer the only option. The UK insurance market is evolving, providing sophisticated tools to mitigate these risks. A two-pronged strategy, combining Private Medical Insurance (PMI) for treatment access and Life, Critical Illness, and Income Protection (LCIIP) for financial stability, is the most robust defence.

Pathway 1: Private Medical Insurance (PMI) for Advanced Fertility Care

Historically, PMI policies explicitly excluded fertility treatment, classing it as a lifestyle choice. This is changing. Forward-thinking insurers now recognise infertility as a widespread medical condition and are beginning to offer meaningful cover.

However, the cover is not standard and varies enormously between providers.

Levels of PMI Fertility Cover

  1. Level 1: Diagnostics and Investigations (Most Common)

    • This is the entry-level benefit found on many modern PMI plans.
    • What it covers: Initial consultations with specialists, blood tests to check hormone levels, pelvic ultrasound scans, and semen analysis.
    • The Value: This alone can save you £1,000 - £1,500 and, crucially, gets you a diagnosis much faster than the NHS, allowing you to make informed decisions sooner.
  2. Level 2: Financial Contribution Towards Treatment

    • A growing number of mid-tier policies offer a defined financial contribution towards treatment, once infertility is medically confirmed.
    • What it covers: Typically a one-off or lifetime benefit amount (e.g., £2,000 - £10,000) that can be put towards IUI or IVF.
    • The Value: While it won't cover the full cost of multiple cycles, it provides a significant financial cushion and makes private treatment more accessible.
  3. Level 3: Comprehensive Treatment Cover (The Gold Standard)

    • Offered by a select few premium corporate or individual policies (from insurers like Bupa, Aviva, and Vitality).
    • What it covers: Can include one or more full cycles of IVF, and sometimes even medication costs, up to a significant financial limit (e.g., £15,000 - £30,000). Some policies are even starting to offer benefits for egg freezing.
    • The Value: This is game-changing cover that can directly fund the treatment needed to start a family.

Accessing these benefits requires careful planning. This is not a policy you can buy when you suspect a problem.

  • Waiting Periods: Crucially, almost all fertility benefits come with a waiting period, typically 24 months from the policy start date. You must have the policy in place long before you need it.
  • Eligibility Criteria: Insurers will have strict definitions of infertility, usually requiring 1-2 years of actively trying to conceive. There may also be age caps (e.g., under 42).
  • Financial Limits: Always check the 'per cycle' and 'lifetime' financial caps.
  • Exclusions: Donor costs and surrogacy are almost always excluded.

Navigating this complex maze of options and clauses is incredibly difficult alone. This is where specialist advice is indispensable. At WeCovr, we live and breathe these policy details. We compare plans from across the entire UK market, helping you understand the nuances of each provider's fertility offering to find a policy that aligns with your future family plans.

Pathway 2: LCIIP – The Financial Shield for Your Family's Future

While PMI can help you access care, LCIIP (Life, Critical Illness, and Income Protection) protects your entire financial world during the tumultuous journey—and beyond. It's the shield that ensures the quest for a family doesn't lead to financial ruin.

Income Protection (IP): Your Monthly Salary Lifeline

Income Protection is arguably the most important policy you can own during your working life. It pays out a regular, tax-free replacement income (usually 50-70% of your gross salary) if you're unable to work due to any illness or injury.

How it protects you during a fertility journey:

  • Time off for Treatment: The physical toll of IVF is significant. IP can cover your income if you need weeks or months off to recover.
  • Mental Health: As we've seen, the psychological strain is immense. If you are signed off work with stress, anxiety, or depression stemming from your fertility journey, your IP policy will pay out.
  • Pregnancy Complications: If treatment is successful, a complicated pregnancy requiring extended bed rest would also be covered.

Scenario: Priya, a 34-year-old solicitor, is undergoing her second round of IVF. The hormonal medication leaves her exhausted, and the stress triggers severe anxiety. Her GP signs her off work for three months. Her Income Protection policy, which she took out five years earlier, kicks in after a four-week deferral period. It pays her £3,000 a month, allowing her to focus entirely on her physical and mental health without worrying about her mortgage or bills.


Critical Illness Cover (CIC): A Tax-Free Lump Sum When It's Needed Most

Critical Illness Cover pays out a tax-free lump sum on the diagnosis of a specified serious condition, such as cancer, heart attack, or stroke.

The unexpected link to fertility:

  • Underlying Causes: Sometimes, an inability to conceive is the first symptom of a serious underlying illness. A cancer diagnosis, for example, would trigger a CIC payout. This lump sum could be used to fund fertility preservation (egg or sperm freezing) before chemotherapy begins—a procedure that can cost £5,000-£8,000 and is rarely funded on the NHS. The payout could then fund surrogacy later on.
  • Financial Freedom: A CIC payout gives you choices. It could be used to clear a mortgage, eliminating financial pressure and allowing a partner to take time off for support. Or it could be used to pay for multiple rounds of IVF outright, without needing to take on debt.

Life Insurance: The Ultimate Protector of Your Legacy

Life insurance is the fundamental promise you make to your loved ones. It pays out a lump sum if you pass away, ensuring your family is financially secure.

Why it's essential on the family-building journey:

  • Protecting Your Partner: If you have taken on joint debt to fund treatment, life insurance ensures your partner isn't left to face it alone.
  • Securing Your Child's Future: As soon as a child arrives—whether through conception, surrogacy, or adoption—life insurance becomes non-negotiable. It provides the funds to cover the mortgage, pay for childcare, fund their education, and replace your lost income until they are financially independent.
  • Trusts for Speed and Efficiency: Placing your life insurance policy in trust is a simple legal step that ensures the money is paid out quickly to your chosen beneficiaries, bypassing probate and potential inheritance tax.

At WeCovr, we believe in a holistic approach. We don't just sell policies; we build integrated protection strategies. We help our clients layer PMI and LCIIP to create a comprehensive safety net that covers every eventuality. As part of our commitment to our clients' total well-being, we also provide them with complimentary access to CalorieHero, our AI-powered nutrition and calorie tracking app. Because good health is the foundation of everything, and supporting our clients' nutritional wellness is one more way we go above and beyond on their journey.

Your Proactive Strategy: A Step-by-Step Action Plan

The statistics are daunting, but paralysis is not an option. A proactive, informed approach can transform your journey from one of anxiety to one of empowerment. Here is your action plan.

Step 1: Acknowledge and Assess Be honest with yourself and your partner about your family-building goals and your desired timeline. Don't wait for problems to arise. The most powerful tool you have is time.

Step 2: Investigate Your Local NHS Provision Go to the website of your local Integrated Care Board (ICB). Search for their "commissioning policy" on "assisted conception" or "IVF". Understand exactly what, if anything, you would be entitled to. This knowledge is power and sets your baseline.

Step 3: Explore Private Medical Insurance (PMI) Immediately Because of the 24-month waiting period on most fertility benefits, this is a step to take now, not in two years' time. Think of it as planning for a future you hope for. The right policy can be the key that unlocks access to timely diagnosis and treatment.

Step 4: Build Your Financial Shield with LCIIP Regardless of your fertility journey's outcome, life happens. Protect your income, your assets, and your future family against illness, injury, or death. Secure Income Protection, Critical Illness Cover, and Life Insurance. These are the foundations of any sound financial plan.

Step 5: Seek Expert, Independent Advice The UK insurance market is vast and complex. Trying to compare these nuanced products on your own is a recipe for disaster—you could end up with a policy that doesn't cover what you think it does. A specialist broker works for you, not the insurer.

Taking Control of Your Family's Future

The path to parenthood in the 21st century is, for many, more complex and challenging than ever before. The convergence of biological realities, societal shifts, and economic pressures has created a crisis that demands a modern solution.

Facing the prospect of a £500,000+ lifetime burden of treatment costs, emotional hardship, and career setbacks is terrifying. But you do not have to face it unprotected.

By strategically layering the benefits of modern Private Medical Insurance with the foundational security of Life, Critical Illness, and Income Protection, you can build a formidable defence. This approach allows you to access the best possible care when you need it, while simultaneously shielding your financial world from the shocks that this journey can bring.

The dream of a family is too important to be left to chance. With foresight, planning, and expert guidance, you can navigate the challenges ahead, protect your financial well-being, and take confident control of your future.


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.


Learn more


...

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.