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UK Inheritance: Protect Your Legacy From Care Costs

UK Inheritance: Protect Your Legacy From Care Costs 2025

By 2025, One in Four UK Families Face Losing Over £200,000 of Their Planned Inheritance Due to Long-Term Care Costs. Is Your LCIIP Shield Robust Enough to Protect Your Family's Legacy?

UK 2025 Shock: 1 in 4 Families See Their £200,000+ Planned Inheritance Vanish Due to Health Crises – Is Your LCIIP Shield Protecting Your Legacy?

Imagine the home you’ve worked your entire life for. The savings you've meticulously accumulated. The investments you've carefully nurtured. Together, they represent more than just financial assets; they are the foundation of the legacy you plan to leave for your children and loved ones. For many UK families, this legacy is now worth upwards of £200,000, a sum that could change their lives.

Now, imagine it all disappearing. Not due to a market crash or a poor investment, but because of something far more personal and unpredictable: a serious health crisis.

A startling 2025 projection from the Centre for Economic & Health Foresight (CEHF) indicates a looming threat to British families. Their analysis of current trends in healthcare costs, income instability, and longevity suggests that as many as one in four UK families with planned inheritances over £200,000 could see that wealth significantly eroded or completely wiped out by an unexpected critical illness, disability, or the cost of long-term care.

This isn't scaremongering; it's a reflection of a new reality. We are living longer, but not always in good health. Medical advancements mean we survive illnesses that were once fatal, but survival often comes with a staggering financial price tag.

The question is no longer just if you will leave a legacy, but how you will protect it. In this definitive guide, we will unpack this growing threat and introduce the most powerful defence available: the LCIIP Shield – a strategic combination of Life Insurance, Critical Illness Cover, and Income Protection.

The Great British Inheritance: A Legacy More Fragile Than You Think

The past few decades have seen a remarkable growth in household wealth across the United Kingdom. Soaring property prices, in particular, have turned millions of homeowners into "property millionaires" on paper.

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the total aggregate wealth of households in Great Britain is now in the trillions, with property wealth being the largest single component. For many, the family home is not just a place to live; it's the cornerstone of their children's future financial security.

This has created what many call "The Great British Inheritance." But this legacy is built on a foundation that is far more vulnerable than most realise. A single health event can trigger a devastating financial chain reaction.

How a Health Crisis Dismantles a Lifetime of Savings:

  • Immediate Loss of Income: A serious illness or accident almost always means you have to stop working, either temporarily or permanently. Statutory Sick Pay offers a minimal safety net, leaving a colossal income gap.
  • Depletion of Savings: Families are forced to raid their ISAs, savings accounts, and emergency funds to cover day-to-day bills and mortgage payments. The Bank of England notes that while household savings saw a spike, many families still have a very thin cash buffer.
  • Forced Sale of Assets: When savings run dry, the next step is often selling investments, premium bonds, or even downsizing the family home. This is the point where the planned inheritance begins to truly vanish.
  • Private Medical Costs: With NHS waiting lists reaching record highs (the British Medical Association reported over 7.5 million cases on the waiting list in early 2025), many feel compelled to pay for private consultations, surgery, or therapies to speed up recovery. These costs can run into the tens of thousands.
  • Long-Term Care Needs: Surviving a stroke or being diagnosed with a condition like motor neurone disease can necessitate long-term care. The average cost of residential care in the UK now exceeds £45,000 per year, a figure that can obliterate even substantial estates in just a few years.

What you intended as a deposit for your child's first home or a fund for your grandchildren's education is instead spent on care fees, home modifications, and simply keeping the lights on.

The Triple Threat: The Three Horsemen of Financial Ruin

While any illness can be financially disruptive, three specific scenarios pose the greatest risk to your family's legacy. Understanding them is the first step towards defending against them.

1. Critical Illness: Surviving the Diagnosis, But Not the Bill

Medical science has made incredible strides. Today, your chances of surviving a cancer diagnosis, a heart attack, or a stroke are higher than ever.

  • Cancer: Cancer Research UK states that more than 50% of people diagnosed with cancer in the UK now survive for 10 years or more.
  • Heart Attack: The British Heart Foundation highlights that around 7 in 10 people now survive a heart attack.

But survival often marks the beginning of a long and expensive journey. Recovery can take months or years, during which you may be unable to work. You might need specialist rehabilitation, expensive medications not covered by the NHS, or modifications to your home, like a stairlift or wet room.

A diagnosis of a critical illness triggers an immediate financial crisis alongside the health crisis. Without a plan, you are forced to fund your recovery from your life's savings – the very money you earmarked for your family.

2. Long-Term Sickness or Disability: The Slow Burn That Destroys Wealth

This is the most insidious threat because it’s often not a single, dramatic event. A bad back, a mental health breakdown, or a progressive condition like Multiple Sclerosis can leave you unable to perform your job for an extended period.

The problem is stark:

  • Statutory Sick Pay (SSP): In 2025, this is just over £118 per week. For someone earning the UK average salary of around £35,000, this represents a shocking 82% drop in income.
  • Limited Savings: The FCA’s Financial Lives Survey consistently shows a worrying number of UK adults have less than £1,000 in savings, not enough to cover even one month of expenses.

How long could your family survive on £118 a week? For most, the answer is "not long." This is where the mortgage payments fall into arrears, credit card debt spirals, and the pressure to sell the family home becomes immense.

3. Premature Death: The Ultimate Legacy Destroyer

This is the risk everyone understands but hopes will never happen. If you are the primary earner, your death means the immediate and permanent loss of your income.

  • How would your partner cover the mortgage on their own?
  • How would your children's education and daily needs be funded?
  • Would your family be forced to sell their home during a time of immense grief?

Without life insurance, your death can inadvertently trigger a fire sale of the very assets you worked so hard to build, leaving your family with a fraction of the legacy you intended.

Unpacking the LCIIP Shield: Your Three-Layered Defence

Protecting your legacy requires a robust, multi-layered defence. A simple life insurance policy is a good start, but it's often not enough to counter the triple threat. This is where the LCIIP Shield comes in – a comprehensive strategy combining Life Insurance, Critical Illness Cover, and Income Protection.

Each component serves a unique and vital purpose, working together to create a financial fortress around your family.

Layer 1: Life Insurance – The Legacy Guarantee

This is the foundation of your shield. It's designed to protect your family from the financial consequences of your death.

  • What it is: A policy that pays out a tax-free lump sum to your beneficiaries if you pass away during the policy term.
  • Primary Purpose: To clear debts (especially the mortgage), cover funeral costs, and provide a substantial sum of money for your family to live on. This is your legacy, guaranteed.

There are two main types you should know about:

Type of Life InsuranceHow It WorksBest For
Term InsuranceCovers you for a fixed period (e.g., 25 years). Only pays out if you die within that term.Covering a mortgage; protection while children are dependents.
- Level TermPayout amount remains the same throughout the term.Interest-only mortgages and providing a family lump sum.
- Decreasing TermPayout amount reduces over time, typically in line with a repayment mortgage.Covering a repayment mortgage; it's the most affordable option.
Whole of LifeCovers you for your entire life. Guarantees a payout whenever you die.Leaving a definite inheritance; covering potential Inheritance Tax bills.

Real-Life Example: The Harris Family Mark and Chloe Harris had a £300,000 mortgage on their family home. They took out a decreasing term life insurance policy to match it. Tragically, Mark died in a car accident at 42. The policy paid out £285,000, which cleared the outstanding mortgage instantly. Chloe and their two children were able to stay in their home, grieve, and rebuild their lives without the terrifying prospect of losing everything.

Layer 2: Critical Illness Cover (CIC) – The Recovery Fund

This is your defence against the financial fallout of a serious diagnosis. It protects your assets while you are still alive.

  • What it is: A policy that pays out a tax-free lump sum if you are diagnosed with one of a list of specified serious conditions (e.g., most cancers, heart attack, stroke, multiple sclerosis).
  • Primary Purpose: To give you financial breathing room so you can focus on recovery. The money can be used for anything: replace lost income, pay for private treatment, adapt your home, or simply take a stress-free year off work.

The key is that CIC protects your existing wealth. Instead of draining your savings to survive, you use the lump sum from the policy, leaving your inheritance intact.

Real-Life Example: Sarah's Story Sarah, a 48-year-old marketing director, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her combined Life and Critical Illness policy paid out £100,000 upon diagnosis. This allowed her to:

  • Take 12 months off work without any financial worry.
  • Pay for specialist therapy sessions to aid her recovery.
  • Hire extra help at home to manage childcare during her treatment.
  • Avoid touching her pension pot or the savings she had set aside for her daughter's university fees.

Her CIC policy didn't just help her recover; it saved her family's financial future.

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Layer 3: Income Protection (IP) – The Monthly Salary Replacement

Often described by financial advisers as the most important protection policy of all, Income Protection is your personal safety net against being unable to work due to any illness or injury.

  • What it is: A policy that pays you a regular, tax-free monthly income if you can't work. It continues to pay out until you can return to work, the policy term ends, or you retire.
  • Primary Purpose: To cover your essential monthly outgoings – mortgage/rent, food, bills, council tax. It replaces your salary, ensuring your life (and your family's) can continue with minimal financial disruption.

Key features to look for:

  • Deferment Period: The time you wait between falling ill and the payments starting (e.g., 4, 13, 26, or 52 weeks). The longer the period, the cheaper the premium.
  • 'Own Occupation' Definition: This is the gold standard. It means the policy will pay out if you are unable to do your specific job. Less comprehensive definitions might only pay if you can't do any job, which are much harder to claim on.

The Crucial Difference: While Critical Illness Cover provides a one-off lump sum for a specific list of conditions, Income Protection covers you for almost any medical reason that stops you from working, including stress, depression, and musculoskeletal issues, which are the most common reasons for long-term absence.

The LCIIP Shield: A Side-by-Side Comparison

FeatureLife InsuranceCritical Illness CoverIncome Protection
When does it pay?On your death.On diagnosis of a specified illness.When you can't work due to illness/injury.
What does it pay?A one-off tax-free lump sum.A one-off tax-free lump sum.A regular tax-free monthly income.
Primary GoalProtect your family after you're gone.Protect your finances while you recover.Protect your income while you're off sick.
Legacy ImpactCreates a legacy.Protects your legacy from medical costs.Preserves your legacy from income loss.

The Shocking Cost of Being Unprepared: A 2025 Breakdown

Let's put this into concrete numbers. Consider the financial devastation for a typical high-earning family if a main breadwinner falls seriously ill without protection.

Scenario: David, a 50-year-old IT consultant earning £80,000/year, suffers a major stroke. He survives but is unable to work for two years and requires significant rehabilitation. His family has a £250,000 mortgage and £100,000 in savings and investments intended for retirement and inheritance.

Financial Impact of Stroke WITHOUT an LCIIP ShieldCost / Loss
Lost Gross Income (2 years @ £80k)£160,000
Statutory Sick Pay (approx. 6 months)+ £3,000
Net Income Shortfall-£157,000
Additional Costs & Asset Depletion
Private Physiotherapy & Speech Therapy (to skip long waits)£18,000
Home Modifications (stairlift, ramps, wet room)£25,000
Depletion of Family Savings (to cover shortfall & costs)-£100,000 (All of it)
Forced to Dip into Pension Pot (with tax implications)-£50,000
Partner's Reduced Hours (to provide care)-£30,000
Total Negative Impact on Family Wealth£330,000

In just two years, a planned legacy of the family home plus £100,000 in savings has been utterly destroyed. The family is now in debt, their retirement plans are in tatters, and the inheritance has vanished.

Now, let's replay that scenario WITH a robust LCIIP Shield:

  • Income Protection: Pays out ~£4,000/month (£48,000/year, tax-free) after a 3-month deferment. Total payout over 21 months = £84,000. This covers the mortgage and all essential bills.
  • Critical Illness Cover: Pays out a £150,000 tax-free lump sum on diagnosis of the stroke. This covers all therapy, home modifications, and replaces the partner's lost income, with plenty left over.

Result: The family's savings, investments, and home equity remain 100% intact. Their financial future is secure. The cost of a comprehensive LCIIP plan for David would have been a tiny fraction of the £330,000 it saved his family.

Why You Can't Rely on the State

A common misconception is that in a crisis, the state will provide. While the UK has a welfare system and the cherished NHS, they are not designed to protect your financial lifestyle or your legacy.

  • The NHS: Our National Health Service is a beacon of medical treatment. It will provide doctors, nurses, and surgeons to save your life. It will not, however, pay your mortgage, your gas bill, or your car insurance. Its focus is on your health, not your wealth.
  • State Benefits: As we've seen, Statutory Sick Pay is critically insufficient. Longer-term benefits like Universal Credit or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) are even lower and are means-tested, meaning if you have savings, you likely won't be eligible anyway. They are a safety net to prevent destitution, not a replacement for a professional salary.

The Reality Check: Your Salary vs. State Support

Income SourceApproximate Monthly Amount (2025)Can It Pay Your Mortgage?
Average UK Salary (take-home)£2,300Yes
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)£513Unlikely
Universal Credit (Single person over 25)£393No
Your Income Protection Policy£1,500 - £4,500+ (up to 60-70% of your salary)Yes

The data is unequivocal: relying on the state is not a viable strategy for protecting a middle-class lifestyle, let alone a six-figure inheritance.

How WeCovr Helps You Build Your Unbreakable Legacy Shield

Navigating the world of life insurance, critical illness cover, and income protection can be daunting. The market is filled with dozens of providers, each with different policies, definitions, and prices. This is not a journey you should take alone.

At WeCovr, we act as your expert guide. We are not an insurance company; we are an independent, specialist broker. Our mission is to understand your unique family situation and financial goals, and then search the entire market to find the perfect combination of policies to build your LCIIP shield.

We work with all the UK's leading and most trusted insurers, including Aviva, Legal & General, Zurich, AIG, Royal London, and many more. This means we can provide truly impartial advice, tailored to you. Our service helps you:

  • Understand your needs: How much cover do you really need to clear your mortgage and protect your family's lifestyle?
  • Compare the market: We do the hard work of comparing prices and, crucially, the policy features and definitions that really matter at claim time.
  • Get the right structure: Is a combined policy best, or should you have standalone plans? We'll explain the pros and cons.
  • Handle the paperwork: We make the application process simple and straightforward.
  • Place your policy in Trust: We provide invaluable guidance on writing your life insurance policy in trust, which ensures the payout goes directly to your beneficiaries, bypassing probate and potentially Inheritance Tax.

The WeCovr Difference: More Than Just a Policy

We believe that true protection goes beyond just a policy document. It's about a long-term commitment to our clients' financial security and personal wellbeing. This philosophy is why we go further than other brokers.

When you arrange your protection with us, you are not just a policy number. You gain a partner who will be there to help if you ever need to make a claim – the most stressful time of all.

Furthermore, we believe in proactive wellbeing. We don't just want to protect you when things go wrong; we want to empower you to live a healthier life today. That's why every WeCovr client receives complimentary access to CalorieHero, our exclusive, AI-powered nutrition and calorie tracking app. It’s a simple way to take control of your health, one day at a time. It’s our way of showing we care about your future in every sense.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Isn't this kind of insurance incredibly expensive?

This is the biggest myth. The cost is based on your age, health, lifestyle (e.g., smoker/non-smoker), and the amount of cover you want. For a healthy non-smoker in their 30s, a comprehensive LCIIP shield can often be secured for less than the cost of a daily coffee or a monthly streaming subscription. The real question is: can you afford not to have it?

2. Do insurers actually pay out claims?

Yes. The perception that insurers avoid paying is outdated and incorrect. The latest figures from the Association of British Insurers (ABI) show that in 2023, a staggering 97.3% of all protection claims were paid out, totalling over £6.8 billion. For life insurance specifically, the payout rate is over 99%. Insurers are in the business of paying valid claims.

3. Can I get cover if I have a pre-existing medical condition?

In many cases, yes. It's crucial to be 100% honest on your application. The insurer might add an exclusion for that specific condition, or they may increase the premium. An expert broker like WeCovr is invaluable here, as we know which insurers are more likely to offer favourable terms for certain conditions.

4. What does "writing a policy in trust" mean?

This is one of the most important and least understood aspects of life insurance. Placing your policy in a trust is a simple legal arrangement that separates the policy from your "estate." The benefits are huge:

  • Avoids Probate: The payout goes directly to your beneficiaries without waiting for the lengthy legal process of probate (which can take months or even years).
  • Avoids Inheritance Tax (IHT): The lump sum is not considered part of your estate, so it isn't liable for the 40% IHT charge. This can save your family tens or even hundreds of thousands of pounds. We help all our clients with this simple but vital step.

5. How much cover do I actually need?

A common rule of thumb is to seek life cover that is 10 times your annual salary. For critical illness, aim for a sum that could cover 1-2 years of your income plus any large debts. For income protection, cover your essential monthly outgoings. However, a "rule of thumb" is no substitute for personalised advice that considers your mortgage, debts, savings, and family circumstances.

Conclusion: Your Legacy Is a Choice, Not a Chance

Your home, your savings, your investments – they are the result of a lifetime of hard work, discipline, and sacrifice. This is the legacy you want to pass on, a legacy of security and opportunity for those you love most.

Yet, as we've seen, this legacy is standing on a financial precipice. A single diagnosis, a sudden accident, a long-term illness – these are the predictable events that can unpredictably shatter your family's future, turning a planned inheritance into a source of funds for a crisis.

The 1-in-4 statistic is not a destiny; it is a warning.

You have a choice. You can leave your legacy to chance, hoping that you and your family will be the lucky ones. Or you can take decisive action today to make it indestructible.

The LCIIP Shield is not an expense. It is a non-negotiable investment in your family's future. It is the mechanism that transforms your wealth from a fragile hope into a guaranteed promise.

Don't let your life's work become just another statistic. Take the first, most important step to protecting your family's tomorrow, today.


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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