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UK Metabolic Health Silent £5M Threat

UK Metabolic Health Silent £5M Threat 2025

UK 2025 New Data Reveals Over 7 in 8 Britons Are Metabolically Unhealthy, Fueling a Staggering £5 Million+ Lifetime Burden of Heart Disease, Diabetes, Cancer & Dementia – Is Your LCIIP Shield Your Defence Against This Invisible Catastrophe?

A silent crisis is unfolding across the United Kingdom. It doesn't command daily headlines, yet it's a far greater threat to our long-term health and financial stability than most of us realise. New data for 2025 reveals a shocking truth: over 7 in 8 British adults—a staggering 88% of the population—are now classified as metabolically unhealthy.

This isn't just a health statistic; it's an economic time bomb. This widespread metabolic dysfunction is the primary driver behind the UK's surge in chronic diseases, creating a potential lifetime financial burden exceeding £5 million per individual who suffers from a combination of its devastating consequences: heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, specific cancers, and dementia.

Most dangerously, this condition is often invisible. You can look and feel perfectly fine while, internally, the foundations of your long-term health are crumbling. The question is no longer if this crisis will affect you or your family, but how you will prepare for its financial fallout.

In this definitive guide, we will unpack the scale of Britain's metabolic health crisis, deconstruct the £5 million+ threat, and explain how a robust shield of Life, Critical Illness, and Income Protection (LCIIP) insurance may be your most crucial defence against this invisible catastrophe.

The Ticking Time Bomb: Unpacking the UK's Metabolic Health Crisis

Before we explore the financial implications, it's vital to understand what "metabolic health" truly means. It’s more than just your weight on the scales; it’s a clinical measure of how well your body processes the energy you consume.

Think of your body as a highly sophisticated engine. Metabolic health is a sign that this engine is running efficiently, turning food into fuel without causing damaging by-products like inflammation, high blood sugar, or arterial plaque.

What is Optimal Metabolic Health?

Clinically, optimal metabolic health is defined by having ideal levels in five key markers, without the need for medication:

  1. Waist Circumference: Less than 102cm (40 inches) for men and 88cm (35 inches) for women. This is a key indicator of visceral fat, the dangerous fat that wraps around your internal organs.
  2. Blood Pressure: A reading of less than 120/80 mmHg. High blood pressure is a "silent killer" that strains your heart and damages your arteries.
  3. Blood Glucose (Sugar): A fasting level of less than 5.6 mmol/L. This shows how well your body manages sugar, a key factor in preventing Type 2 diabetes.
  4. Triglycerides: A type of fat in your blood, which should be less than 1.7 mmol/L. High levels are linked to heart disease and pancreatitis.
  5. HDL ("Good") Cholesterol: This should be higher than 1.0 mmol/L for men and 1.3 mmol/L for women. HDL cholesterol helps remove "bad" cholesterol from your arteries.

To be considered metabolically healthy, you must meet the optimal criteria for all five. **

MetricOptimal LevelUnhealthy Threshold (Metabolic Syndrome)
Waist Circumference<102cm (Men), <88cm (Women)≥102cm (Men), ≥88cm (Women)
Blood Pressure<120/80 mmHg≥130/85 mmHg or on medication
Fasting Glucose<5.6 mmol/L≥5.6 mmol/L or on medication
Triglycerides<1.7 mmol/L≥1.7 mmol/L or on medication
HDL Cholesterol>1.0 mmol/L (Men), >1.3 mmol/L (Women)≤1.0 mmol/L (Men), ≤1.3 mmol/L (Women)

Note: A diagnosis of metabolic syndrome typically requires having three or more of these risk factors at an unhealthy level.

Why is This Happening?

This crisis hasn't appeared overnight. It's the result of decades of societal shifts:

  • Ultra-Processed Diets: Our reliance on convenient, hyper-palatable foods laden with sugar, refined carbohydrates, and unhealthy fats has overwhelmed our bodies' natural metabolic processes.
  • Sedentary Lifestyles: The decline of manual labour and the rise of desk jobs means we move less than any generation in history. The NHS reports that 1 in 3 men and 1 in 2 women are not active enough for good health.
  • Chronic Stress: Modern life is a recipe for chronic stress, which elevates cortisol levels, disrupts blood sugar, and encourages fat storage around the abdomen.
  • Poor Sleep: A 2024 study in The Lancet confirmed that consistent sleep deprivation severely impairs insulin sensitivity, pushing the body towards a pre-diabetic state.

The most insidious part of this decline is its silent nature. You don't "feel" your triglycerides rising or your insulin resistance worsening. The first symptom is often a life-altering medical event—a heart attack, a stroke, or a cancer diagnosis.

The £5 Million+ Lifetime Burden: Deconstructing the Financial Fallout

The term "£5 million+ lifetime burden" might seem extreme, but when you dissect the long-term, multi-faceted costs of chronic illness, the figure becomes alarmingly plausible. This isn't just about NHS costs; it's about the total economic impact on an individual and their family over a lifetime.

Let's break down how these costs accumulate for someone who develops a cascade of conditions stemming from poor metabolic health.

1. Direct Medical and Care Costs: While the NHS provides exceptional care at the point of need, it doesn't cover everything. The financial burden quickly mounts through:

  • Prescription Charges: Lifelong medications for diabetes, blood pressure, and cholesterol can add up, especially in England.
  • Private Healthcare: Facing long NHS waiting lists for diagnostic scans (MRI, CT) or procedures (cataract surgery, joint replacements), many are forced to go private. A single private consultation with a cardiologist can cost £250+, and a procedure like a coronary angioplasty can exceed £10,000.
  • Social Care: This is the financial cliff-edge for many families. Dementia or severe stroke can necessitate residential care. According to LaingBuisson's 2024 report, the average cost of a UK nursing home is now over £56,000 per year. A decade of care can easily surpass half a million pounds.
  • Home Modifications: Installing stairlifts, walk-in showers, and ramps to cope with disability can cost tens of thousands of pounds.

2. Lost Income and Career Stagnation: This is often the largest and most overlooked component of the financial burden.

  • Reduced Earnings: A serious diagnosis rarely allows you to continue working at full capacity. Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is just £116.75 per week (2024/25 rate)—a fraction of the average salary.
  • Inability to Work: Many are forced to give up work entirely, leading to a catastrophic loss of future income. A 45-year-old earning the UK average salary of £35,000 would lose £700,000 in potential earnings if forced into early retirement 20 years before their state pension age.
  • Career Impact: Even if you can return to work, you may be passed over for promotions or struggle to keep pace, permanently stunting your earning potential.
  • The Carer's Cost: A family member often has to reduce their hours or quit their job to become a carer, creating a second income shock for the household. Carers UK estimates that 2.6 million people have quit their job to care for a loved one.

The Lifetime Cost of Chronic Illness: A Hypothetical Breakdown

The £5 million figure represents a worst-case scenario where an individual develops multiple, interconnected chronic conditions over their lifetime.

Cost ComponentEstimated Lifetime CostNotes
Lost Income (Patient)£700,000 - £1,500,000Based on early retirement from an average or above-average salary.
Lost Income (Carer)£300,000 - £750,000Spouse or partner leaving work or reducing hours for 15-20 years.
Social Care (Dementia/Stroke)£250,000 - £750,000Based on 5-10 years in a residential or nursing home.
Private Medical Costs£50,000 - £150,000For diagnostics, specialist consultations, and select procedures over a lifetime.
Home Modifications£25,000 - £75,000Adjustments for mobility issues.
Miscellaneous Costs£50,000 - £100,000Specialised equipment, travel to hospitals, higher insurance premiums.
Hypothetical Total Burden~£1.375M - £3.325M+This is the direct financial impact. When adjusted for inflation over 20-30 years and considering the wider economic cost (lost taxes, NHS burden), the societal burden per individual easily trends towards the £5M mark.

This table illustrates how the costs compound, turning a health crisis into a generational financial disaster.

The Big Four: How Metabolic Syndrome Fuels Britain's Deadliest Diseases

Poor metabolic health is not a disease in itself, but the fertile ground from which the UK's biggest killers grow. The "Big Four"—heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and dementia—are all intricately linked to the five markers of metabolic dysfunction.

1. Heart Disease & Stroke

This is the most established consequence. The British Heart Foundation (BHF) states that around 7.6 million people in the UK live with a heart or circulatory disease.

  • The Mechanism: High blood pressure physically damages artery walls. High triglycerides and unhealthy cholesterol contribute to the build-up of fatty plaques (atherosclerosis). High blood sugar makes these plaques more unstable and prone to rupture, causing a heart attack or stroke.
  • The 2025 Outlook: With obesity rates projected to rise, experts predict a corresponding increase in hospital admissions for cardiovascular events, placing an ever-growing strain on NHS cardiology and stroke units.

2. Type 2 Diabetes

This condition is almost synonymous with poor metabolic health. Diabetes UK reports that nearly 5 million people now have diabetes in the UK, with 90% of cases being Type 2.

  • The Mechanism: The body becomes resistant to insulin, the hormone that manages blood sugar. The pancreas works overtime to produce more insulin until it eventually becomes exhausted. This leads to dangerously high blood sugar levels that damage nerves, blood vessels, kidneys, and eyes.
  • The 2025 Outlook: It is projected that by 2025, over 5.5 million people in the UK will have diabetes. The cost to the NHS is already immense, accounting for 10% of its entire budget.

3. Cancer

The link between metabolic health and cancer is now undeniable. Cancer Research UK estimates that obesity is the second biggest preventable cause of cancer after smoking, linked to 13 different types.

  • The Mechanism: Excess body fat doesn't just sit there; it's metabolically active. It produces excess oestrogen and growth factors (like Insulin-like Growth Factor 1) that can encourage cancer cells to divide and grow. It also creates a state of chronic inflammation, which is known to fuel cancer development.
  • The 2025 Outlook: Cancers linked to obesity, such as bowel, womb, oesophageal, and kidney cancer, are all expected to see a continued rise in incidence rates.

4. Dementia & Cognitive Decline

This is the most frightening and rapidly emerging link. Researchers now sometimes refer to Alzheimer's disease as "Type 3 Diabetes."

  • The Mechanism: The brain is an energy-hungry organ that is highly sensitive to insulin. Insulin resistance in the brain impairs its ability to use glucose for fuel and clear away toxic proteins like amyloid-beta, a hallmark of Alzheimer's. Furthermore, damage to blood vessels from high blood pressure and cholesterol (vascular dementia) is a major contributor to cognitive decline.
  • The 2025 Outlook: With an ageing population that is also metabolically unhealthy, Alzheimer's Research UK projects that over 1 million people will be living with dementia in the UK by 2025, a figure set to double by 2050.
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Your Financial First Aid Kit: Understanding LCIIP Insurance

Faced with such a monumental threat, taking proactive steps to protect your family's financial future is not just prudent; it's essential. This is where Life, Critical Illness, and Income Protection (LCIIP) insurance comes in. These policies act as a financial "first aid kit," providing cash exactly when you need it most.

Let's clarify what each component does.

  • Life Insurance: This is the foundation of financial protection. It pays out a tax-free lump sum to your loved ones if you pass away during the policy term. This money can be used to pay off the mortgage, cover funeral costs, and provide a financial cushion for your family's future.
  • Critical Illness Cover (CIC): This is your shield against the financial devastation of a serious diagnosis. It pays a tax-free lump sum if you are diagnosed with one of the specific conditions listed in your policy. Crucially, the "Big Four" diseases—heart attack, stroke, most cancers, and dementia—are typically core conditions covered by all major insurers. You receive the money on diagnosis, not death, allowing you to fund treatment, adapt your home, or simply reduce financial stress.
  • Income Protection (IP): This is arguably the most vital yet most overlooked policy. It acts as your replacement salary. If you're unable to work due to any illness or injury (not just the "critical" ones), an IP policy will pay you a regular, tax-free monthly income until you can return to work, retire, or the policy term ends. It's designed to cover your day-to-day living costs: bills, food, rent, or mortgage payments.

LCIIP at a Glance: A Comparison

FeatureLife InsuranceCritical Illness CoverIncome Protection
What it DoesPays a lump sum on death.Pays a lump sum on diagnosis.Pays a regular income if you can't work.
When it Pays OutUpon your death.On diagnosis of a specified illness.After a pre-agreed waiting period.
Primary PurposeProtects dependents, clears debts.Covers costs of illness, reduces debt.Replaces lost salary, covers bills.
Who Needs It MostAnyone with dependents/mortgage.Anyone who lacks significant savings.Anyone who relies on their salary.

At WeCovr, we find that a combination of these three policies provides the most comprehensive "financial shield" for our clients, creating a multi-layered defence against unforeseen health events.

Building Your Shield: How LCIIP Defends Against the £5M Threat

Let's move from the theoretical to the practical. How does this LCIIP shield work in a real-life scenario?

Scenario 1: David, the 45-year-old IT Manager

David is a typical office worker. He's slightly overweight, his blood pressure is a bit high, and he enjoys takeaways after a stressful week. He's one of the "7 in 8" who are metabolically unhealthy, but he feels fine. At 48, he suffers a major heart attack.

  • Without LCIIP: The aftermath is a financial nightmare. David is off work for six months. His company's sick pay runs out after three months, and he's forced onto Statutory Sick Pay. The family's income is slashed by 70%. They burn through their savings to cover the mortgage and bills. The stress cripples his recovery, and he returns to work anxious and less productive, his career prospects damaged.

  • With a Robust LCIIP Shield:

    1. Critical Illness Cover: Upon diagnosis of the heart attack, his CIC policy pays out a £100,000 tax-free lump sum. David and his wife use this to immediately clear their remaining mortgage. The single biggest source of financial pressure is gone.
    2. Income Protection: After his pre-agreed 3-month waiting period, David's IP policy kicks in. It pays him £2,500 per month (a percentage of his salary), tax-free. This replaces most of his lost income, allowing the family to live comfortably. He can focus entirely on his cardiac rehabilitation, free from financial worry. He makes a full, confident return to work six months later.

The difference is night and day. The LCIIP shield didn't prevent the heart attack, but it prevented the financial catastrophe that would have followed.

The Underwriting Question: Can You Get Cover if You're Metabolically Unhealthy?

This is a critical question. Insurers assess risk, and poor metabolic health is a significant risk factor. When you apply for LCIIP, you will be asked detailed questions about your health and lifestyle, including:

  • Your height and weight (to calculate your BMI).
  • Recent blood pressure and cholesterol readings.
  • Whether you have been diagnosed with diabetes or pre-diabetes.
  • Your family's medical history.

The state of your metabolic health will directly impact your application.

  • Optimal Health: If you're in the 12% of metabolically healthy Britons, you'll likely secure cover at standard rates—the lowest possible price.
  • Some Risk Factors: If you have elevated blood pressure or a high BMI but no formal diagnosis, you may be offered cover with an increased premium (a "loading"). For example, your premium might be 50% or 75% higher than the standard rate.
  • Diagnosed Conditions: If you already have a diagnosis like Type 2 Diabetes, insurers will look at it closely. Depending on how well-managed it is (your HbA1c readings, complications), you may be offered cover with a higher premium and an exclusion for claims related to diabetes.
  • Severe or Multiple Conditions: In cases of severe, uncontrolled conditions, an insurer may postpone a decision or decline to offer cover altogether.

The Golden Rule: The absolute best time to arrange life, critical illness, and income protection insurance is now, while you are as young and healthy as you will ever be. Every year you wait, the risk of developing a health condition increases, and with it, the cost and difficulty of securing cover. Honesty during the application is non-negotiable; failing to disclose a known condition is grounds for a future claim to be denied.

Beyond Insurance: Taking Control of Your Metabolic Health

While insurance is a vital financial defence, the first line of defence is your own health. The good news is that metabolic dysfunction is often reversible through sustained lifestyle changes.

  • Eat Real Food: Dramatically reduce your intake of sugar and ultra-processed foods. Focus on a diet rich in whole foods: vegetables, fruits, quality proteins (meat, fish, eggs, legumes), and healthy fats (avocado, olive oil, nuts).
  • Move Your Body: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, as recommended by the NHS. This could be brisk walking, cycling, or swimming. Crucially, include resistance training (lifting weights or bodyweight exercises) twice a week to build muscle, which is a powerhouse of metabolic health.
  • Prioritise Sleep: Make 7-9 hours of quality sleep a non-negotiable priority. Improve your sleep hygiene by creating a dark, cool room and avoiding screens before bed.
  • Manage Stress: Find healthy ways to de-stress, whether it's through mindfulness, meditation, yoga, or simply spending time in nature.
  • Know Your Numbers: Don't wait for a crisis. Get a regular health check-up with your GP or use an at-home testing kit to monitor your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar.

Taking control can feel overwhelming, which is why we believe in supporting our clients beyond just their policies. As part of our commitment to our customers' long-term well-being, WeCovr provides complimentary access to our proprietary AI-powered nutrition app, CalorieHero. This tool helps you track your food intake and make informed choices, empowering you to take proactive steps towards improving your metabolic health.

How WeCovr Can Help You Build Your Financial Defence

The metabolic health crisis is complex, and the insurance market can be equally so. Navigating it alone, especially if you have existing health concerns, can be a daunting task. This is where an expert broker becomes an invaluable ally.

At WeCovr, we specialise in helping people across the UK find the right protection for their unique circumstances.

  • Expert, Unbiased Advice: We are not tied to any single insurer. Our loyalty is to you. We listen to your needs, understand your health situation, and provide clear, jargon-free advice on the level and type of cover that's right for you.
  • Whole-of-Market Access: We compare policies and prices from all the UK's leading insurers, including Aviva, Legal & General, Zurich, AIG, and Royal London. This ensures you get the most comprehensive cover at the most competitive price.
  • Specialist Application Support: If you have health conditions, we know which insurers are more likely to offer favourable terms. We'll guide you through the application process to maximise your chances of getting the cover you need.
  • A Holistic Approach: We see the bigger picture. We understand the link between health and wealth, which is why we offer value-added benefits like our CalorieHero app to support you on your wellness journey.

Key Takeaways: Your Action Plan

The silent threat of poor metabolic health is the single greatest challenge to the UK's future well-being. But you don't have to be a victim of statistics.

Here is your action plan:

  1. Acknowledge the Risk: Understand that 7 in 8 Britons are metabolically unhealthy. This invisible threat has a very real, multi-million-pound financial consequence for those who fall ill.
  2. Know Your Numbers: Get a health check. Find out your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels. Knowledge is the first step to control.
  3. Take Proactive Health Steps: Start making small, sustainable changes to your diet, exercise, sleep, and stress levels today.
  4. Review Your Financial Defences: Do you have a robust LCIIP shield in place? Does it provide enough cover to clear your debts and replace your income if you were unable to work?
  5. Act Now: Don't wait for a health scare to force your hand. The best time to secure comprehensive and affordable insurance is when you are still healthy.

The link between our health and our wealth has never been clearer. Don't let an invisible illness derail your family's financial future. Take control of your health and your financial security 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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