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UK's Longevity Burden

UK's Longevity Burden 2026 | Top Insurance Guides

UK 2025 Shock New Data Reveals Britons Will Spend an Average of 16 Years in Poor Health or With Disability, Fueling a Staggering £4 Million+ Lifetime Financial Catastrophe of Eroding Wealth, Unmet Care Needs & Lost Family Futures – Is Your LCIIP Shield Your Unshakeable Foundation for a Healthy Financial Future

We are living longer than ever before. This triumph of modern medicine and public health should be a cause for universal celebration. Yet, a shadow looms over this remarkable achievement. New analysis for 2025 reveals a stark and sobering reality: while our lifespans are increasing, our healthspans are not keeping pace.

The data paints a concerning picture. A Briton born today can expect to live well into their 80s. However, they are projected to spend, on average, a staggering 16 years of their adult life in poor health or with a disability.

This isn't just a health crisis; it's a looming financial catastrophe. This "longevity burden" – the gap between living long and living well – creates a financial vortex that can systematically dismantle a lifetime of hard work. The potential cost? A shocking £4 Million+ black hole composed of lost earnings, crippling care costs, and derailed family ambitions.

In this definitive guide, we will unpack this unprecedented challenge facing UK families. We will dissect the data, quantify the financial risks, and reveal the gaping holes in the state's safety net. Most importantly, we will introduce the powerful, three-pronged defence strategy—your LCIIP Shield—of Life Insurance, Critical Illness Cover, and Income Protection. This isn't about fear; it's about foresight. It's about building an unshakeable foundation for a healthy financial future, no matter what health challenges lie ahead.

The UK's Health and Longevity Paradox: Living Longer, But Sicker

For decades, the headline story has been one of progress: rising life expectancy. But digging into the latest 2025 projections from sources like the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveals a more complex and troubling narrative. The critical distinction lies between life expectancy and healthy life expectancy (HLE).

  • Life Expectancy: The total number of years a person is expected to live.
  • Healthy Life Expectancy: The number of years a person is expected to live in a state of "good" or "very good" health, free from disabling conditions.

The gap between these two figures is the period we will likely spend managing chronic illness or disability. And this gap is widening.

The 16-Year Health Gap: A Statistical Deep Dive

5 years, but his healthy life expectancy is just 63.5 years. For females, the figures are 84.1 and 65.1 years, respectively. This creates an average period of approximately 16-19 years spent in declining health.

Metric (Based on 2025 Projections)MaleFemale
Life Expectancy at Birth80.5 years84.1 years
Healthy Life Expectancy at Birth63.5 years65.1 years
Years in Poor Health/Disability17.0 years19.0 years

Source: Projections based on ONS and Public Health England data trends.

What's driving this trend? It's a combination of factors:

  • The Rise of Chronic Conditions: While we've become better at preventing early deaths from events like heart attacks, more of us are living for longer with the underlying conditions. An estimated 1 in 4 adults in the UK now lives with at least one long-term health condition, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or respiratory illness.
  • Musculoskeletal Issues: Conditions like arthritis and chronic back pain are the single biggest cause of disability in the UK, impacting millions and forcing many to leave the workforce prematurely.
  • The Mental Health Crisis: One in four people will experience a mental health problem each year. Severe anxiety, depression, and stress can be as debilitating as any physical illness, leading to long-term work absence.
  • Cancer Survival: More people are surviving cancer than ever before, which is a medical miracle. However, survivors often face long-term side effects from treatment that can impact their ability to work and live as they did before.

The NHS, our national treasure, is straining under the weight of this chronic disease epidemic. As a result, waiting lists grow, access to specialist care becomes more difficult, and the system is forced to prioritise acute, life-threatening emergencies. This leaves millions to navigate the challenges of long-term illness largely on their own.

Deconstructing the £4 Million+ Lifetime Financial Catastrophe

The figure of £4.5 million may seem astronomical, but it becomes frighteningly plausible when you break down the cumulative financial impact of a long-term health event on a typical high-earning family. Let's consider a household with two earners, both aged 45, with a joint income of £120,000 per year.

Component 1: The Devastating Impact of Lost Earnings

This is the most immediate and largest part of the financial shock. If one earner is forced to stop working at 45 due to a stroke, cancer diagnosis, or severe mental health breakdown, the consequences are enormous.

  • Direct Income Loss: Losing a £60,000 salary for the 22 years until state pension age (currently 67) amounts to £1,320,000 in lost gross income.
  • Lost Pension Contributions: A 10% pension contribution (5% employee, 5% employer) on that salary is £6,000 a year. Over 22 years, that's £132,000 in lost contributions. With compound growth, the final pension pot could be reduced by £300,000 - £400,000 or more.
  • Career Stagnation for the Carer: The healthy partner often has to reduce their hours, turn down promotions, or leave work entirely to become a carer. A conservative estimate of a 30% reduction in their own earnings could add another £396,000 (£18,000 p.a. for 22 years) to the total loss.

Total Potential Loss from Earnings & Pensions: ~£2,000,000+

Component 2: The Staggering Cost of Care

Social care in the UK is not part of the NHS; it is not free. It is means-tested, and the costs are ruinous for those with assets, such as a family home.

If a person requires care, the local authority assesses their finances. If their capital (savings and property) is above a certain threshold (£23,250 in England), they are deemed a 'self-funder' and must pay the full cost of their care.

Type of CareAverage Weekly Cost (UK)Average Annual Cost (UK)
Home Care (20 hours/week)£600 - £800£31,200 - £41,600
Residential Care Home£950 - £1,200£49,400 - £62,400
Nursing Home (with medical care)£1,200 - £1,700£62,400 - £88,400

Source: Analysis of 2024/2025 data from LaingBuisson and Age UK.

If someone needs residential care for the last 10 years of their life, the cost could easily exceed £600,000. For a couple, this figure could double, potentially wiping out the entire value of their home and savings.

Total Potential Cost of Care (for a couple): ~£1,200,000+

Component 3: The Hidden Costs of Adaptation and Treatment

Beyond care, there are significant one-off and ongoing expenses that the NHS doesn't cover:

  • Home Modifications: Installing a stairlift (£2,000-£5,000), converting a bathroom into a wet room (£5,000-£10,000), or building a downstairs extension (£30,000+).
  • Specialist Equipment: An advanced powered wheelchair can cost over £15,000. An adapted vehicle can cost an extra £20,000-£40,000 on top of the car's price.
  • Private Medical Costs: To bypass long NHS waiting lists for consultations, scans, or non-urgent surgery, many turn to the private sector. A single round of some cutting-edge cancer drugs not yet available on the NHS can cost over £100,000.

Total Potential Adaptation & Medical Costs: £100,000 - £200,000+

Component 4: Eroding Wealth & Lost Family Futures

When you combine these figures, the £4 Million+ catastrophe for a high-earning couple becomes clear. It's a multi-generational disaster.

  • Wealth Erosion: Savings are depleted, investments are cashed in, and the family home is often sold to pay for care.
  • Lost Inheritance: The wealth you intended to pass on to your children vanishes.
  • Destroyed Ambitions: Plans to help children with university fees, house deposits, or wedding costs are abandoned. The financial support system you hoped to provide for your family is dismantled.

The personal cost is just as high. The stress, the loss of independence, and the burden placed on loved ones create an emotional toll that cannot be quantified.

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The State Safety Net: A Patchwork Quilt with Significant Gaps

Many people believe that if they fall seriously ill, the state will step in to provide a robust financial safety net. Unfortunately, this is a dangerously misplaced assumption. The support available is minimal and often difficult to access.

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)

If you're employed and become too ill to work, your employer must pay you SSP.

  • The Amount: As of 2025, it's projected to be around £118 per week.
  • The Duration: It's paid for a maximum of 28 weeks.

For a family used to a monthly income of thousands, SSP is not a safety net; it's a cliff edge. It barely covers the average weekly food shop, let alone a mortgage, council tax, and utility bills.

Long-Term Sickness Benefits (Universal Credit / ESA)

Once SSP runs out, you may be able to claim benefits like the new-style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or the health-related element of Universal Credit.

  • The Amount: For a single person, this is typically around £130-£140 per week after an assessment period. It is means-tested, so any household savings or a partner's income can reduce or eliminate it entirely.
  • The Assessment: You must undergo a Work Capability Assessment, which many find stressful and intrusive, to prove you are not fit for work.

The table below starkly illustrates the income shock.

Income SourceAverage Monthly Amount (Example)
Employee's Monthly Salary£4,000
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)~£511
Employment Support Allowance (ESA)~£585
Monthly Income Shortfall on Benefits~£3,415

Relying on the state means accepting an immediate and catastrophic drop in your standard of living. It means moving from financial stability to a daily struggle for survival.

Your LCIIP Shield: The Three Pillars of Financial Resilience

The reality of the longevity burden and the inadequacy of state support demands a personal solution. You cannot rely on the government or your employer to protect your family's financial future. You must build your own fortress. This fortress is the LCIIP Shield: a coordinated strategy using Life Insurance, Critical Illness Cover, and Income Protection.

These three policies work together, each defending you against a different facet of financial disaster.

Pillar 1: Income Protection Insurance (The Foundation)

This is arguably the most important financial protection product for anyone of working age.

  • What it is: Income Protection (IP) is designed to do one thing: replace a significant portion of your lost earnings if you are unable to work due to any illness or injury.
  • How it works: After a pre-agreed waiting period (the 'deferred period', e.g., 4, 13, 26, or 52 weeks), the policy starts paying you a tax-free monthly income. This income continues until you can return to work, the policy term ends (typically at your retirement age), or you pass away.
  • What it's for: It covers your essential outgoings – mortgage/rent, bills, food, and transport. It maintains your family's lifestyle and, crucially, allows you to keep contributing to your pension. It is the bedrock of your financial plan.

Key Consideration: 'Own Occupation' Definition. The best IP policies use an 'own occupation' definition of incapacity. This means the policy will pay out if you are unable to perform your specific job. Less comprehensive policies might only pay if you can't do any job, which are much harder to claim on. This is a critical detail where expert advice, such as that provided by WeCovr, is invaluable.

Pillar 2: Critical Illness Cover (The Emergency Fund)

  • What it is: Critical Illness Cover (CIC) pays out a tax-free, one-off lump sum if you are diagnosed with one of a list of predefined serious conditions, such as most cancers, a heart attack, or a stroke.
  • How it works: You choose the amount of cover you need. Upon a valid claim, the insurer pays you the full sum. It is independent of your ability to work.
  • What it's for: This lump sum is incredibly flexible. It can be used to:
    • Pay off your mortgage and other debts, drastically reducing your monthly outgoings.
    • Fund private medical treatment or specialist therapies.
    • Pay for home adaptations or mobility equipment.
    • Provide a financial cushion for your partner to take time off work to support you.
    • Simply give you breathing space to recover without financial worry.

Pillar 3: Life Insurance (The Legacy Protector)

  • What it is: Life Insurance (also known as life assurance) pays out a lump sum to your loved ones if you die during the policy term.
  • How it works: It's the simplest form of protection. You choose a level of cover and a term. If you pass away within that term, your beneficiaries receive the payout.
  • What it's for: It ensures that, even in the worst-case scenario, your family is protected from financial hardship. The funds can:
    • Clear the remaining mortgage.
    • Provide an income for your family to live on for years to come.
    • Cover funeral expenses.
    • Settle any potential Inheritance Tax liability, preserving the value of your estate for your children.

The LCIIP Shield: A Summary

Protection TypeWhat It IsWhen It Pays OutPrimary Purpose
Income ProtectionA monthly replacement incomeIf you can't work due to any illness/injuryReplaces lost salary, covers monthly bills
Critical IllnessA tax-free lump sumOn diagnosis of a specific serious illnessClears debt, funds treatment/adaptations
Life InsuranceA tax-free lump sumOn deathClears mortgage, provides for family's future

These three pillars are not mutually exclusive; they are designed to work in concert, providing a comprehensive, multi-layered defence against the financial consequences of ill health and death.

Building Your Unshakeable Foundation: A Step-by-Step Guide

Securing your LCIIP shield is one of the most important financial decisions you will ever make. Here’s how to approach it methodically.

Step 1: Assess Your Vulnerability You need to understand exactly what you're protecting. Grab a pen and paper or a spreadsheet and calculate:

  • Your Debts: What is your outstanding mortgage? Do you have car loans or credit card debt?
  • Your Income Needs: What is the minimum monthly income your family needs to survive? What do they need to maintain their current lifestyle? How much do you need to continue funding your pension?
  • Your Dependants: How long will your children be financially dependent on you?

This analysis will form the basis for how much cover you need for each type of policy.

Step 2: Understand the Nuances The protection market is complex. Two policies with the same name can be vastly different. Key things to look for include:

  • Guaranteed vs. Reviewable Premiums: Guaranteed premiums are fixed for the life of the policy, providing certainty. Reviewable premiums may start cheaper but can increase significantly over time.
  • Policy Definitions: As mentioned, the 'own occupation' definition for Income Protection is vital. For Critical Illness Cover, you must check which conditions are covered and to what severity. Some policies offer partial payments for less severe conditions.
  • The Importance of Full Disclosure: You must be completely honest about your health and lifestyle on your application. Failing to disclose information could invalidate your policy precisely when you need it most.

Step 3: The Power of Independent Advice Navigating this complexity alone is a daunting task. This is where an expert, independent broker is essential. A broker works for you, not the insurance company.

At WeCovr, we help clients navigate this complex landscape. Our role is to:

  • Understand Your Needs: We take the time to carry out a full fact-find, just like the one in Step 1.
  • Search the Entire Market: We have access to and compare plans from all the UK's major insurers.
  • Explain the Differences: We decipher the jargon and explain the crucial differences in policy definitions and terms.
  • Find the Right Fit: We find the most suitable and competitively priced cover for your specific circumstances and budget, not a one-size-fits-all solution.
  • Manage the Application: We help you complete the application forms correctly, ensuring full and proper disclosure.

Using a broker like us costs you nothing extra but can be the difference between having a claim paid or declined.

Step 4: Review and Adapt Your protection needs are not static. It's crucial to review your cover every few years, or after any major life event:

  • Getting married or divorced
  • Having a child
  • Taking on a larger mortgage
  • Getting a significant pay rise

Beyond the Policy: Proactive Health and Financial Wellness

A robust insurance plan is a reactive defence. The best strategy also includes a proactive offence: taking steps to improve your health and overall financial wellbeing.

Many modern insurers now include valuable, free benefits with their policies to help you do just that. These can include:

  • 24/7 access to a virtual GP service
  • Mental health support and counselling sessions
  • Second medical opinion services from world-leading specialists
  • Personalised fitness and nutrition plans

These services are designed to help you stay healthier and get the best care if you do become unwell.

At WeCovr, we believe in supporting our clients' overall wellbeing, not just their financial security. That's why, in addition to finding you the most suitable protection, we provide all our customers with complimentary access to CalorieHero, our exclusive AI-powered calorie and nutrition tracking app. It’s a small way we can help you take proactive steps towards a healthier future, which is, after all, the best protection of all.

Case Study: The Tale of Two Futures

To see the profound impact of the LCIIP shield, consider the contrasting stories of two individuals, David and Mark.

David and Mark are both 48-year-old marketing directors, earning £80,000. Both are married with two teenage children and a £300,000 mortgage. Both suffer a major stroke.


Scenario A: David, The Unprotected David has no personal protection insurance.

  • Months 1-6: David receives Statutory Sick Pay of around £511 per month. His household income plummets by over £6,000 a month. They immediately burn through their £10,000 emergency fund.
  • Months 7-24: After his SSP ends, he applies for benefits. After a stressful assessment, he is awarded around £585 a month. The family falls behind on mortgage payments. His wife is forced to work extra hours, suffering from immense stress.
  • The Aftermath: To avoid repossession, they sell the family home and downsize, using the equity to live on. They cannot afford the home adaptations David needs, so his wife has to provide most of the physical care. Their plans to help their children through university are abandoned. Their financial future is destroyed.

Scenario B: Mark, The Protected Mark has an LCIIP shield: an Income Protection policy, Critical Illness Cover, and a Life Insurance policy.

  • Month 1: Mark is diagnosed. His £300,000 Critical Illness Cover policy pays out. He immediately uses it to pay off the entire mortgage. This instantly removes the family's biggest monthly expense.
  • Month 4: After his 3-month deferred period, his Income Protection policy kicks in. It pays him £4,000 a month, tax-free (60% of his gross salary). This replaces most of his lost income.
  • The Aftermath: With no mortgage to pay and his income largely replaced, the family's financial situation is stable. They use the remaining CIC funds to pay for intensive private physiotherapy and adapt their home with a wet room and stairlift. Mark's wife can focus on supporting his recovery without financial pressure. Their children's university funds are secure. Mark's life has changed, but his family's financial future has not.

The Financial Outcome: A Stark Comparison

Financial ImpactDavid (Unprotected)Mark (Protected)
MortgageBecomes an impossible burden; home is soldPaid off in full by CIC
Monthly IncomeDrops to ~£585 on state benefitsReplaced with £4,000 from IP
Family SavingsWiped out within monthsProtected and intact
Adaptations/CareUnaffordable; burden on familyFunded by CIC payout
Family FutureUniversity plans abandoned; inheritance lostChildren's futures and family legacy secure

Your Future, Your Choice

We are faced with a profound challenge. The gift of a long life is increasingly accompanied by the burden of long-term ill health. The 2025 data is not a prediction to be feared, but a warning to be heeded. The state will not save you. Your employer's benefits are temporary at best. Relying on your savings or property wealth is a recipe for financial and emotional disaster that will echo through generations of your family.

The UK's longevity burden is real, and its financial consequences are devastating. But it is a challenge you can meet and overcome.

Building your LCIIP shield—your personal combination of Income Protection, Critical Illness Cover, and Life Insurance—is not an expense. It is a fundamental investment in certainty, dignity, and peace of mind. It is the single most powerful action you can take to guarantee that a health crisis does not become a lifetime financial catastrophe for you and the people you love.

Don't leave your family's future to chance. Take control today. Let the experts at WeCovr guide you through the process and help you build your unshakeable financial foundation for a long and prosperous life, no matter what it may bring.


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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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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