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UK Longevity Gap The £6.5M Health Burden

UK Longevity Gap The £6.5M Health Burden 2026

UK 2025 Shock New Data Reveals The Average Briton Faces Nearly Two Decades in Poor Health, Fueling a Staggering £6.5 Million+ Lifetime Burden of Unfunded Care, Lost Earning Potential & Eroding Quality of Life – Is Your Private Medical Insurance & Comprehensive Protection Plan Your Essential Blueprint for a Healthy, Secure Future?

The great paradox of modern British life is that while we are living longer than ever before, we are not necessarily living healthier. A silent crisis is unfolding across the UK: the Longevity Gap. This is the chasm between our total life expectancy and our healthy life expectancy – the years we can expect to live free from debilitating illness or disability.

Fresh analysis for 2025 projects a startling picture. The average Briton can now expect to spend nearly two decades of their life in a state of poor health. This isn't just a matter of minor aches and pains; it represents years, often post-retirement, grappling with chronic conditions that diminish quality of life and create an immense financial black hole.

This period of ill health is fuelling a potential lifetime financial burden that can exceed a staggering £6.5 million for some individuals and their families. This figure isn't just about healthcare costs. It's a devastating combination of unfunded social care, catastrophic loss of earnings, depleted pensions, and the erosion of a lifetime's savings. It’s a threat to your financial security, your family's future, and the legacy you hope to leave behind.

In this definitive guide, we will dissect this challenge, explore the true costs, and lay out the essential blueprint for protecting yourself. This isn't about fear; it's about foresight. With the right strategy, combining proactive wellness with a robust financial shield of Private Medical Insurance and comprehensive protection, you can take control of your future, ensuring your later years are defined by health, security, and peace of mind.

Understanding the UK's Health Divide: Life Expectancy vs. Healthy Life Expectancy

To grasp the scale of the challenge, we must first understand two critical metrics published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

  • Life Expectancy: This is the average number of years a person is expected to live.
  • Healthy Life Expectancy (HLE): This is the average number of years a person is expected to live in a state of "good" or "very good" health, based on self-assessment.

The gap between these two figures is the period we can expect to live with a health-related disability or illness. And the latest projections for 2025 are deeply concerning.

According to the latest ONS data trends:

  • A male born in the UK has a life expectancy of around 79.0 years, but a healthy life expectancy of only 62.8 years. This is a gap of 16.2 years in poorer health.
  • A female born in the UK has a life expectancy of around 82.8 years, but a healthy life expectancy of just 63.6 years. This reveals a staggering gap of 19.2 years.

Think about that for a moment. The average person in the UK is facing between 16 and 19 years of their life managing a condition that limits their daily activities. This could be anything from arthritis and heart disease to diabetes, cancer recovery, or dementia. These are not just statistics; they represent a fundamental shift in how we must plan for our lives, our careers, and our retirement.

The Regional Picture: A Postcode Lottery of Health

This health divide is not uniform across the country. Where you live can have a dramatic impact on your healthy life expectancy, highlighting significant regional inequalities.

Region / CountryMale Healthy Life Expectancy (HLE) at BirthFemale Healthy Life Expectancy (HLE) at Birth
South East66.1 years66.5 years
London64.9 years65.1 years
South West64.6 years64.8 years
Scotland61.7 years61.9 years
Wales61.5 years60.5 years
North West60.5 years61.0 years
North East59.1 years59.7 years

Source: ONS data trends, public health bodies. Figures are based on the latest available data sets projected for 2025 trends.

The data shows a clear North-South divide, with those in the North East potentially facing over six more years of ill health than their counterparts in the South East. This reality underscores the need for personalised financial and health planning, as national averages can mask significant local risks.

Deconstructing the £6.5 Million+ Lifetime Burden: A Sobering Reality

How can nearly two decades of poor health translate into a multi-million-pound financial catastrophe? The £6.5 million+ figure represents a potential lifetime cumulative impact for a higher-earning individual or family facing a significant health crisis. It’s a perfect storm of direct costs, lost opportunities, and eroded wealth.

Let's break down the components of this staggering burden.

1. Unfunded Social and Private Care Costs

This is the most direct and crippling expense. While the NHS provides outstanding medical care, it does not cover social care – help with daily living, such as washing, dressing, and eating. This is means-tested, and the costs are astronomical.

  • Residential Care Home: Average costs are £800 per week, or £41,600 per year.
  • Nursing Care Home (with specialist medical care): Average costs rise to over £1,078 per week, or £56,000 per year.
  • Live-in Home Care: Can easily exceed £1,500 per week, amounting to £78,000 per year.

Over a 10-year period, residential care alone could cost £416,000. If specialist nursing is required, this could soar to over £560,000. This often requires selling the family home and depleting all savings.

2. Catastrophic Loss of Earning Potential

A serious illness doesn't just affect you; it impacts your entire family's financial trajectory.

  • For the Individual: An illness forcing you out of work at age 50 instead of 67 means 17 years of lost income. For someone earning £60,000 a year, this equates to a gross loss of over £1,020,000 in salary alone, not including bonuses or pay rises.
  • For the Partner/Carer: It's common for a spouse or partner to have to reduce their hours or leave work entirely to become a carer. If they were earning £40,000, even a 10-year career break results in £400,000 of lost income.
  • The Total Impact: The combined lost earning potential for a couple can easily exceed £1.5 million.

3. Pension and Investment Annihilation

The loss of earnings has a devastating knock-on effect.

  • Lost Pension Contributions: No earnings mean no pension contributions. The £1,020,000 in lost salary mentioned above would have generated significant pension growth. A 10% employer/employee contribution over 17 years, with modest market growth, could have added another £300,000 - £500,000 to a pension pot.
  • Investment Opportunity Cost: This is a hidden but massive cost. The money spent on care (£500,000+) and the income lost (£1.5M+) is money that is not invested. Over 20 years, a £2 million sum that is instead spent or lost could have grown, even in a conservative portfolio, into £4 million or more. This is the lost future, the wealth that never was.

4. The Hidden Out-of-Pocket Expenses

Beyond the major costs, a long-term illness brings a relentless stream of other expenses:

  • Home modifications (stairlifts, wet rooms): £5,000 - £20,000+
  • Specialist equipment (wheelchairs, beds): £2,000 - £10,000+
  • Private therapies and treatments not on the NHS: £1000s per year
  • Increased travel costs for hospital appointments
  • Higher utility bills from being at home more

These can easily add up to £50,000 - £100,000 over the course of an illness.

The Lifetime Financial Impact: A Hypothetical Case

Financial Impact AreaEstimated Cost Over a 20-Year Period
Lost Gross Earnings (Individual)£1,200,000
Lost Gross Earnings (Partner as Carer)£500,000
Direct Cost of Nursing Care (10 years)£560,000
Lost Pension Growth£450,000
Out-of-Pocket Modifications & Expenses£70,000
Sub-Total Direct Loss & Cost£2,780,000
Investment Opportunity Cost£3,750,000
Total Potential Lifetime Burden£6,530,000

This is a hypothetical projection for a higher-earning couple facing a long-term health event, demonstrating how costs can accumulate.

This multi-million-pound figure illustrates a worst-case scenario, but it is a realistic one for many families who are unprepared. It shows how quickly a medical issue can become a life-altering financial crisis.

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The NHS is a National Treasure, But It Can't Do Everything

Let us be clear: the National Health Service is one of the UK's greatest achievements. Its staff perform miracles every day, providing care that is free at the point of use. We are all indebted to it.

However, to rely on the NHS for everything is to ignore the immense pressures it is under. The system was designed in a different era, for a different set of health challenges. Today, it is straining under the weight of an ageing population, a rise in chronic conditions, and finite resources.

This manifests in several ways that directly impact you:

  • Waiting Lists: The most visible sign of pressure. As of 2025, millions are on waiting lists for routine diagnostic tests, consultations, and elective surgeries like hip replacements or cataract operations. These delays don't just cause discomfort; they can lead to a condition worsening, making treatment more complex and recovery longer.
  • Access to Specialists: Getting a swift referral to the right specialist can be a lengthy process, often involving multiple GP visits and long waits.
  • Choice and Control: The NHS generally dictates the hospital, the consultant, and the timing of your treatment. You have limited flexibility.
  • "Postcode Lottery": Access to certain advanced drugs, new therapies (especially for cancer), and rehabilitation services can vary significantly depending on where you live and the budget of your local NHS trust.
  • Focus on the Acute: The NHS excels at emergency and acute care but is less equipped to handle the long, slow-burn of chronic disease management and the social care that accompanies it.

Relying solely on the NHS is a gamble. It's a gamble on waiting lists not getting longer, on your condition not deteriorating while you wait, and on the specific treatment you need being available in your area. This is where personal responsibility and private protection become not a luxury, but a necessity.

Your Blueprint for a Secure Future: Building a Comprehensive Protection Portfolio

Facing the longevity gap and its financial fallout requires a proactive strategy. You wouldn't build a house without a blueprint, and you shouldn't navigate your financial life without one either. A comprehensive protection portfolio is your financial shield, designed to deploy specific support at exactly the moment you need it most.

At WeCovr, we help our clients understand that these policies are not standalone products but interconnected components of a single, robust plan.

1. Private Medical Insurance (PMI)

PMI is your key to unlocking speed, choice, and control over your healthcare. It works alongside the NHS, giving you options when you need them most.

  • What it is: A policy that covers the costs of private medical treatment for acute conditions.
  • Key Benefit: Bypassing NHS waiting lists. Instead of waiting months for a scan or surgery, you can often be seen by a specialist in days or weeks. This can be crucial for a swift diagnosis and for preventing a condition from worsening.
  • What it Covers:
    • Consultations with specialists
    • Diagnostic tests (MRI, CT scans, etc.)
    • In-patient and day-patient treatment in a private hospital
    • Surgery
    • Access to cancer drugs and therapies not yet available on the NHS
  • Why it Matters: PMI directly addresses the waiting list problem, giving you peace of mind and getting you back on your feet – and back to work – faster.

2. Income Protection (IP)

Often described by financial experts as the most important insurance policy of all, IP is the foundation of any protection plan.

  • What it is: A policy that pays you a regular, tax-free replacement income if you are unable to work due to any illness or injury.
  • Key Benefit: It protects your most valuable asset: your ability to earn an income. It pays your bills, covers your mortgage, and allows you to maintain your family's lifestyle while you recover.
  • How it Works: You can typically cover 50-70% of your gross salary. The payments start after a pre-agreed "deferred period" (e.g., 4, 13, 26, or 52 weeks) and can continue right up until you return to work or reach retirement age.
  • Why it Matters: IP prevents a health crisis from becoming an immediate financial crisis. It stops the catastrophic loss of earnings we detailed earlier and is the bedrock of financial security for you and your family.

3. Critical Illness Cover (CIC)

While IP replaces your monthly income, CIC provides a lump sum to deal with the major financial shocks of a serious diagnosis.

  • What it is: A policy that pays out a tax-free lump sum on the diagnosis of a specified serious illness, such as cancer, heart attack, or stroke.
  • Key Benefit: Financial freedom at a time of immense stress. The money can be used for anything you need.
  • How People Use It:
    • Pay off a mortgage or other debts
    • Fund private medical treatment or specialist care
    • Adapt the home for new mobility needs
    • Replace a partner's income so they can take time off to care for you
    • Simply give you the financial breathing space to recover without worry.
  • Why it Matters: CIC provides a capital injection to solve big financial problems, allowing you to focus completely on your recovery.

4. Life Insurance

The final piece of the puzzle, ensuring your family is protected financially if the worst should happen.

  • Term Assurance: Provides a lump sum payment if you die within a set term. It's typically used to pay off a mortgage and provide for children until they are financially independent.
  • Family Income Benefit: A variation that pays a regular, tax-free income to your family until the end of the policy term, rather than a single lump sum. This can be easier to manage and replaces your lost salary more directly.

Comparing the Core Protection Products

ProductWhat It DoesSolves Which Problem?
Private Medical InsurancePays for private medical treatment.Bypasses NHS queues, gives choice and speed.
Income ProtectionReplaces your monthly income if you can't work.Prevents loss of earnings, covers ongoing bills.
Critical Illness CoverPays a one-off, tax-free lump sum on diagnosis.Clears major debts, funds big one-off costs.
Life InsurancePays out on death to protect your loved ones.Secures your family's financial future.

A truly comprehensive plan often involves a combination of these policies, tailored to your specific circumstances, budget, and priorities.

Specialist Protection for Business Owners, Directors, and the Self-Employed

If you run your own business or work for yourself, you are uniquely exposed. You have no employer sick pay, no death-in-service benefit, and your business's survival may depend entirely on your health. Standard protection is vital, but specialist business protection is also essential.

Personal Income Protection: The Non-Negotiable

For freelancers, contractors, and sole traders, Income Protection is not optional; it's fundamental. Without it, your income stops the day you can no longer work. A robust IP policy is your sick pay, your safety net, and the single most important financial decision you can make.

Executive Income Protection: A Tax-Efficient Solution for Directors

Company directors can have their limited company pay for their Income Protection policy.

  • How it Works: The company pays the premium, and it's treated as an allowable business expense, making it highly tax-efficient. If you need to claim, the benefit is paid to the company, which then distributes it to you via PAYE.
  • The Benefit: It protects the director's income without them having to use their own post-tax money, providing vital security for them and their family.

Key Person Insurance: Protecting Your Business's Most Valuable Asset

Who is indispensable to your business? Is it you? A top salesperson? A technical genius? What would happen to your profits if that person were suddenly unable to work due to death or critical illness?

  • What it is: A policy taken out by the business on the life of a key employee.
  • How it Works: If the key person dies or suffers a critical illness, the policy pays a lump sum to the business.
  • What the Money is For:
    • Covering lost profits during the disruption.
    • Recruiting and training a replacement.
    • Reassuring lenders and investors.
    • Winding down the business in an orderly fashion if necessary.
  • Why it Matters: Key Person cover protects the business itself from the financial fallout of losing its most important people.

Proactive Health: Investing in Your Wellbeing is the First Line of Defence

Insurance is your financial shield, but the very best strategy is to reduce your chances of needing it in the first place. Taking proactive steps to manage your health can significantly increase your healthy life expectancy and reduce your risk of chronic disease.

This isn't about extreme diets or punishing gym routines. It's about making small, sustainable changes.

  • Nourish Your Body: Focus on a balanced diet rich in whole foods, fruits, vegetables, and lean protein. Limiting processed foods, sugar, and excessive alcohol can have a profound impact on your risk of developing conditions like type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
  • Move Every Day: The NHS recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity a week. This could be a brisk 30-minute walk five days a week. Regular exercise is a magic bullet for physical and mental health.
  • Prioritise Sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night. Sleep is when your body repairs itself, consolidates memories, and regulates hormones. Poor sleep is linked to a host of health problems.
  • Manage Stress: Chronic stress is a major contributor to ill health. Find what works for you – whether it's mindfulness, yoga, spending time in nature, or a hobby you love. Don't be afraid to seek support for your mental health.

At WeCovr, we believe so strongly in proactive health that we go the extra mile for our clients. In addition to securing the best protection policies, we provide complimentary access to our AI-powered calorie and nutrition tracking app, CalorieHero. It's a simple, effective tool to help you make informed choices about your diet, empowering you to take direct control of your long-term health.

How WeCovr Can Help You Build Your Financial Shield

Navigating the world of protection insurance can feel complex. With dozens of providers, hundreds of policy variations, and confusing jargon, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. This is where expert, independent advice is invaluable.

Going direct to an insurer means you only see one set of products. Using a broker like WeCovr means you get a view of the entire market. We work for you, not for the insurance company.

Our process is simple but thorough:

  1. We Listen: We take the time to understand you, your family, your career, your financial situation, and your health goals.
  2. We Research: We use our expertise and market-leading technology to search policies from all the UK's major insurers to find the most suitable options.
  3. We Recommend: We present you with a clear, jargon-free recommendation, explaining why a particular blend of policies is right for your unique needs and budget.
  4. We Support: We handle the application process for you and are there to support you in the years to come, and crucially, at the point of a claim.

We build blueprints for financial security. Our goal is to give you the confidence that, no matter what health challenges life throws at you, your financial future and your family's wellbeing are secure.

Conclusion: Taking Control of Your Health and Wealth

The longevity gap is a defining challenge of our time. Living for nearly two decades in poor health is a grim prospect, made worse by the devastating financial consequences that can unravel a lifetime of hard work.

But this future is not inevitable. The data is not a prediction of your personal destiny; it is a call to action.

You have the power to change the narrative. By investing in your own wellbeing through healthier habits and by erecting a robust financial shield with a comprehensive protection portfolio, you can seize control. Private Medical Insurance, Income Protection, and Critical Illness Cover are not mere expenses; they are strategic investments in a future where you can enjoy your later years with dignity, security, and peace of mind.

Don't wait for a health crisis to reveal the gaps in your financial plan. Take the first step today. Review your circumstances, understand the risks, and seek expert advice to build the blueprint that will protect you and your loved ones for decades to come.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is private medical insurance worth it if I have the NHS?

Absolutely. Private Medical Insurance (PMI) is not a replacement for the NHS, but a valuable partner to it. While the NHS provides excellent emergency care, PMI gives you speed and choice for non-urgent conditions. It allows you to bypass long waiting lists for diagnostics and elective surgery, giving you a quicker diagnosis and faster access to treatment. For many, this means less time in discomfort, a reduced risk of a condition worsening, and a faster return to work and normal life.

What's the difference between Income Protection and Critical Illness Cover?

This is a common and important question. They cover different needs:
  • Income Protection (IP) is designed to cover an ongoing loss of income. It pays a regular monthly benefit if you are unable to work due to any illness or injury. It protects your lifestyle and pays the bills.
  • Critical Illness Cover (CIC) is designed to cover the financial impact of a serious diagnosis. It pays a one-off, tax-free lump sum if you are diagnosed with one of a list of specific conditions (like cancer or heart attack). This money can be used for anything, such as paying off a mortgage, funding private care, or adapting your home.
A comprehensive plan often includes both, as they serve different but equally vital purposes.

I'm self-employed. What's the single most important insurance for me?

For almost every self-employed person, the most critical policy is Income Protection. As a freelancer, contractor, or sole trader, you have no employer sick pay to fall back on. If you can't work due to illness or injury, your income stops immediately. Income Protection acts as your personal sick pay policy, providing a regular monthly income to cover your bills and living expenses, ensuring a health problem doesn't instantly become a financial disaster.

How much cover do I actually need?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer. The right amount of cover depends entirely on your personal circumstances. Factors to consider include your monthly outgoings, your mortgage, any dependents, your savings, and your budget for premiums. For life insurance, a common rule of thumb is 10 times your annual salary. For income protection, it's typically 50-70% of your gross income. The best way to determine the right level of cover is to speak with an expert adviser who can perform a full needs analysis.

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

Yes, it is often still possible to get cover, but it depends on the condition, its severity, and how long ago you had it. When you apply, you must declare all pre-existing conditions. The insurer will then decide to either:
  • Offer cover on standard terms.
  • Offer cover but with an exclusion for your specific condition.
  • Offer cover but with an increased premium (a "loading").
  • In some cases, they may decline to offer cover.
It is vital to be completely honest on your application. An expert broker can help you navigate this process and approach the insurers most likely to look favourably on your application.

Why should I use a broker like WeCovr instead of going direct to an insurer?

Using an independent broker like WeCovr has several key advantages. An insurer can only sell you their own products. We, on the other hand, have access to the entire market. This means we can compare policies from all the major UK providers to find the best cover and value for your specific needs. We work for you, not the insurer. We provide impartial, expert advice, help you with the complex application forms, and can even assist you at the crucial point of making a claim. This saves you time, potentially a lot of money, and ensures you get the right protection, not just the most convenient one.

Related guides

Why life insurance and how does it work?

What is Life Insurance?

Life insurance is an insurance policy that can provide financial support for your loved ones when you or your joint policy holder passes away. It can help clear any outstanding debts, such as a mortgage, and cover your family's living and other expenses such costs of education, so your family can continue to pay bills and living expenses. In addition to life insurance, insurance providers offer related products such as income protection and critical illness, which we will touch upon below.

How does it work?

Life insurance pays out if you die. The payout can be in the form of a lump sum payment or can be paid as a replacement for a regular income. It's your decision how much cover you'd like to take based on your financial resources and how much you'd like to leave to your family to help them deal with any outstanding debts and living expenses. Your premium depends on a number of factors, including your occupation, health and other criteria.

The payout amount can change over time or can be fixed. A level term or whole of life policy offers a fixed payout. A decreasing term policy offers a payout that decreases over the term of the cover.

With critical illness policies, a payout is made if you’re diagnosed with a terminal illness with a remaining life expectancy of less than 12 months. While income protection policies ensure you can continue to meet your financial commitments if you are forced to take an extended break from work. If you can’t work because you’ve had an accident, fallen sick, or lost your job through no fault of your own, income protection insurance pays you an agreed portion of your salary each month.

Income protection is particularly helpful for people in dangerous occupations who want to be sure their mortgage will always be covered. Income protection only covers events beyond your control: you’re much less likely to be covered if you’re fired from your job or if you injure yourself deliberately.

Questions to ask yourself regarding life insurance

Just ask yourself:
👉 Who would pay your mortgage or rent if you were to pass away or fall seriously ill?
👉 Who would pay for your family’s food, clothing, study fees or lifestyle?
👉 Who would provide for the costs of your funeral or clear your debts?
👉 Who would pay for your costs if you're unable to work due to serious illness or disability?

Many families don’t realise that life, income protection and critical illness insurance is one of the most effective ways to protect their finances. A great insurance policy can cover costs, protect a family from inheriting debts and even pay off a mortgage.

Many would think that the costs for all the benefits provided by life insurance, income protection insurance or critical illness insurance are too high, but the great news is in the current market policies are actually very inexpensive.

Benefits offered by income protection, life and critical illness insurance

Life insurance, income protection and critical illness insurance are indispensable for every family because a child loses a parent every 22 minutes in the UK, while every single day tragically 60 people suffer major injuries on the UK roads. Some people become unable to work because of sickness or disability.

Life insurance cover pays out a lump sum to your family, loved ones or whomever you choose to get the money. This can be used to secure the financial future of your loved ones meaning they would not have to struggle financially in the event of your death.

If it's a critical illness cover, the payout happens sooner - upon diagnosis of a serious illness, disability or medical condition, easing the financial hardship such an event inevitably brings.

Income protection insurance can be very important for anyone who relies on a pay check to cover their living costs, but it's especially important if you’re self-employed or own a small business, where your employment and income is a bit less stable. It pays a regular income if you can't work because of sickness or disability and continues until you return to paid work or you retire.

In a world where 1 in 4 of us would struggle financially after just four weeks without work, the stark reality hits hard – a mere 7% of UK adults possess the vital shield of income protection. The urgency of safeguarding our financial well-being has never been more palpable.

Let's face it – relying on savings isn't a solution for everyone. Almost 25% of people have no savings at all, and a whopping 50% have £1,000 or less tucked away. Even more concerning, 51% of Brits – that's a huge 27 million people – wouldn't last more than one month living off their savings. That's a 10% increase from 2022.

And don't even think about state benefits being a safety net. The maximum you can expect from statutory sick pay is a mere £109.40 per week for up to 28 weeks. Not exactly a financial lifeline, right?

Now, let's tackle a common objection: "But I have critical illness insurance. I don't need income protection too." Here's the deal – the two policies apply to very different situations. In a nutshell:

  • Critical illness insurance pays a single lump sum if you're diagnosed with or undergo surgery for a specified potentially life-threatening illness. It's great for handling big one-off expenses or debts.
  • Income protection, on the other hand, pays a percentage of your salary as a regular payment if you can't work due to illness or injury. It's the superhero that tackles those relentless monthly bills.

Types of life insurance policies

Common reasons for getting a life insurance policy are to:
✅ Leave behind an amount of money to keep your family comfortable
✅ Protect the family home and pay off the mortgage in full or in part
✅ Pay for funeral costs

Starting from as little as a couple of pounds per week, you can do all that with a Life Policy.

Level Term Life Insurance
One of the simplest forms of life insurance, level term life insurance works by selecting a length of time for which you would want to be covered and then deciding how much you would like your loved ones to receive should the worst happen. Should your life insurance policy pay out to your family, it would be in a lump sum amount that can be used in whatever way the beneficiary may wish.

Decreasing Term Life Insurance
Decreasing term life insurance works in the same way as level term, except the lump sum payment amount upon death decreases with time. The common use for decreasing term life cover is to protect against mortgage repayment as the lump sum decreases along with the principal of the mortgage itself.

Increasing Term Life Insurance
Increasing term life insurance aims to pay out a cash sum growing each year if the worst happens while covered by the policy. With increasing term life cover amount insured increases annually by a fixed amount for the length of the policy. This can protect your policy's value against inflation, which could be advantageous if you’re looking to maintain your loved ones’ living standards, continue paying off your mortgage in line with its repayment schedule and cover your children’s education fees.

Whole of Life Insurance
Whereas term life insurance policies only pay out if you pass away during their term, whole of life insurance pays out to your beneficiaries whenever this should happen. The most common uses for whole life insurance are to cover the costs of a funeral or as a vehicle for your family's inheritance tax planning.

Family Income Benefit
Family income benefit is a somewhat lesser-known product in the family of life insurance products. Paying out a set amount every month of year to your beneficiaries, it is the most cost-effective way of maintaining your family's living standards to an age where you'd expect them to be able to support themselves financially. The most common use would be for a family with children who are not working yet so are unable to take care of themselves financially.

Relevant Life Insurance
Relevant Life Insurance is a tax-efficient policy for a director or single employee. A simple level term life insurance product, it is placed in a specific trust to ensure its tax efficiency. The premiums are tax deductible and any benefit payable should a claim arise is also paid out tax free, which makes it an attractive product for entrepreneurs and their businesses.

Important Fact!

There is no need to wait until the renewal of your current policy.
We can look at a more suitable option mid-term!

Why is it important to get life insurance early?

👉 Many people are very thankful that they had their life, income protection, and critical illness insurance cover in place before running into some serious issues. Critical illness and income protection insurance is as important as life insurance for protecting your family's finances.

👉 We insure our cars, houses, bicycles and even bags! Yet our life and health are the most precious things we have.

Easily one of the most important insurance purchases an individual or family can make in their lifetime, the decision to buy life, income protection, critical illness and private medical health insurance can be made much simpler with the help of FCA-authorised advisers. They are the specialists who do the searching and analysis helping people choose between various types of life insurance policies available in the market, including income protection, critical illness and other types of policies most suitable to the client's individual circumstances.

It certainly won't do any harm if you speak with one of our experienced FCA-authorised insurance partner experts who are passionate about advising people on financial matters related to life insurance and are keen to provide you with a free consultation.

You can discuss with them in detail what affordable life, income protection, critical illness or private medical health insurance plan for the necessary peace of mind they would recommend! WeCovr works with some of the best advisers in the market.

By tapping the button below, you can book a free call with them in less than 30 seconds right now:

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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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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.

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About WeCovr

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