A serious illness can turn life upside down – don’t let it do the same to your finances.

Critical Illness Cover provides a tax-free lump sum if you’re diagnosed with a specified serious illness like cancer, heart attack, or stroke. That money can help cover treatment, pay the bills, or support your family while you recover.

Critical illness insurance payouts

Despite popular belief, insurance companies want to payout.

In 2024, 89.7% of Critical Illness claims were paid out across the industry, totalling over £1.4 billion*

*according to data from an Association of British Insurers (ABI) news release in July 2025.

Why Choose Critical Illness Cover?

    • Financial Protection – Helps cover mortgage payments, rent, liabilities, or day-to-day bills while you’re off work.

    • Tax-Free Lump Sum – Spend it how you need: treatment costs, rehabilitation, childcare, or home modifications.

    • Additional Benefits – Some policies will offer additional benefits such as Fracture cover. Also children’s Critical Illness cover, usually up to a maximum of £25,000 per child.

    • Peace of Mind – Know you’re protected during life’s most difficult moments.

    • Add to Life Insurance – Combine with life cover for comprehensive protection.

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What’s Covered?

Coverage varies by provider, but most critical illness policies cover:

  • Cancer (various types)
  • Heart attack
  • Stroke
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Organ transplant
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Loss of limbs or sight

Critical Illness policies vary from insurer to insurer, and their list of conditions and definitions of illnesses also differ. Anything that is not included on an insurer’s condition list is not covered. If you are unsure whether your condition might be covered our experts will be happy to assist. Futureproof will find the most comprehensive policies available.

Please note that these plans do not have a cash-in value and will stop if payments to them cease.

How much does it cost?

The likelihood of people getting a serious illness or being affected by an accident is higher than the risk of them dying. Owing to this, the cost of critical illness cover will be higher than the cost of life insurance.

A number of factors can affect the cost of premiums:

  • Age
  • Weight
  • Lifestyle
  • Medical History
  • Occupation
  • Family History
  • Policy Length
  • Amount of cover

Examples of monthly premiums

This table gives you an approximate idea of monthly premiums for stand-alone critical illness cover.

Please note that any premiums mentioned are indicative only and based on this specific case study/ example, which is shown for information purposes only. Premiums shown are an average of the 5 cheapest insurers. Your own circumstances will determine whether the amount payable is more or less than the figure quoted.

Quotes provided August 2025.

Quotes based on a healthy male, non-smoker, to age 65. *Source Solutionbuilder Quotes Comparison Service

Age of client in yearsSum assured in £sTermType of coverMonthly premiums in £s
30£30kTo Age 65Level critical illness only£10.53
30£100kTo Age 65Level critical illness only£30.20
40£30kTo Age 65Level critical illness only£15.23
40£100kTo Age 65Level critical illness only£44.37
50£30kTo Age 65Level critical illness only£24.96
50£100kTo Age 65Level critical illness only£77.52

Who Needs Critical Illness Cover?

This type of cover may be suitable if you:

  • Rely on your income to support yourself or your family
  • Don’t have substantial savings to fall back on
  • Are self-employed or don’t get sick pay
  • Have financial responsibilities like a mortgage or dependents

None of us want to think about getting seriously ill — but the reality is, it happens more often than we’d like to believe. Especially, when 1 in 2 of us will get cancer at some stage in our lives*. Cancer Research UK July 2023. Critical illness cover is designed to give you financial support if you’re diagnosed with a serious condition like cancer, a heart attack, or a stroke. At a time when your focus should be on your health and family, it helps ease the stress of keeping up with your mortgage, household bills, and other expenses.

It’s not something you’re legally required to have, but if you have a mortgage or people who rely on your income, it can be a smart way to help protect your home and provide peace of mind for your loved ones — no matter what life throws your way.

How Much Cover Do I Need?

It depends on your personal situation, but consider:

    • Outstanding debts (e.g. mortgage or loans)

    • Household expenses and bills

    • Childcare or education costs

    • Potential private medical treatment

Use our free quote tool to get personalised cover options.

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What’s Not Covered?

While policies vary, critical illness cover usually:

  • Won’t cover minor or short-term illnesses
  • May exclude pre-existing conditions
  • Doesn’t cover death (unless combined with life insurance)

Why Choose Us?

Many life insurance companies also sell critical illness cover. Whilst comparison sites may seem like an easy route to obtain a quote, the power of a critical illness policy lies in whether a claim will be paid when you need it to. 

Advice firms like Future Proof will find the most comprehensive policy for you with an insurer that has high payout rates. All insurers offer different levels of cover, which can only be broken down by reading the small print. We can do this for you. Our service is no obligation and you won’t pay us directly. We get paid by the insurer if you take up a policy with them.

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