Protection
Critical Illness Cover: Financial Breathing Space When It Matters Most
A tax free lump sum if you are diagnosed with one of the serious conditions listed in your policy, paid while you are alive and dealing with it.
- Paid on diagnosis
- Tax free lump sum
- Children's cover often included
- Whole of market
Free, no obligation, and no credit check to get started.
Critical illness cover exists for the version of a serious diagnosis that nobody plans for: the one you survive, but which stops you working for a year while the bills carry on.
The money is yours to use however you choose, whether that is clearing the mortgage, adapting the house or simply not worrying about income while you recover.
What Is Usually Covered
Every policy lists its conditions, and the list varies by insurer. Cancer, heart attack and stroke account for the large majority of claims. Beyond those, policies commonly include multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, major organ transplant, kidney failure and severe head injury, among many others.
One policy with 40 conditions can be better than another with 100, because what matters is how each condition is defined and at what severity it pays. This is the single most useful thing a broker does on this product.
Severity Based Payouts
Many modern policies pay a percentage of the sum insured for less advanced conditions, for example an early stage cancer, rather than paying nothing at all. Partial payments often leave the full cover in place afterwards. It is a genuinely useful feature and it is not universal.
Cover for Children
Most policies include cover for your children automatically, typically paying a smaller sum if a child is diagnosed with a listed condition. It is not the reason to buy the policy, but it is worth knowing it is usually there.
With Life Cover or Separately
Combined policies pay on the first event, either diagnosis or death, then end. That is cheaper. Separate policies cost more and can each pay out, so a critical illness claim leaves the life cover standing. Which suits you depends on budget and on who depends on you.
Disclose Everything
Answer every health question fully, including things that feel minor or historic. Non disclosure is the main reason claims are declined, and it is entirely within your control. The Association of British Insurers publishes the actual claim payment rates, which are higher than most people assume.
No paperwork and no credit check. An adviser calls you back with your real options.
Start nowor call 0117 370 6363Frequently Asked Questions
How is it different from life insurance?
Life cover pays out when you die. Critical illness pays out while you are alive, on diagnosis of a listed condition.
Does it cover every serious illness?
No. It covers the conditions listed in the policy, at the severity defined there. That is why the wording matters more than the number of conditions.
Will it pay out more than once?
Most policies pay once and end, though many now make partial payments for less severe conditions while leaving the main cover in place.
Is the payout taxed?
Lump sums from a personal policy are normally paid free of income tax and capital gains tax. Your own circumstances may differ.
Can I get it with a pre existing condition?
Often yes, though that condition may be excluded or the premium increased. Insurers differ considerably, which is where comparing the market helps.
Compare wordings, not just prices
We will show you what two or three insurers actually cover for your age and health, side by side.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
Cover levels, premiums and policy terms depend on your age, health and circumstances. Policy exclusions apply and are set out in the insurer’s key features document.
For mortgage and insurance we do not charge any fee as we are remunerated by commission from lenders and providers.
Infinity Financials Ltd is directly authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, FCA registration number 993949. Infinity Mortgage is a trading style of Infinity Financials Ltd.