A lump sum on diagnosis, not on death.
Cancer, heart attack and stroke drive around 80% of UK claims. Cover pays out while you're still here to use it.
Critical illness cover is UK protection insurance that pays a tax-free lump sum on diagnosis of a listed condition. Every insurer covers cancer of specified severity, heart attack and stroke — jointly around 80% of claims — while comprehensive plans list 50–170 conditions. Cover typically costs three to five times life insurance alone: about £25–£40 a month for £250,000 decreasing cover over 25 years for a healthy 30-year-old non-smoker. Pre-existing conditions are normally excluded, so cover is cheapest and broadest when taken young. It is commonly combined with mortgage life insurance so the loan is cleared either on death or on serious illness.
The numbers, at a glance.
What lenders want to see.
Who typically qualifies
- UK resident aged 18–64 at application (cover usually to age 70–75)
- Full medical disclosure — GP reports required on some cases
- Smokers and raised BMI quotable at higher premiums
- Available standalone or combined with life cover
- Children's critical illness usually included at no extra cost
Documents to prepare
- Mortgage balance, term and repayment type
- Date of birth, occupation and smoker status
- Full medical history including family history
- Current medication and recent test results
- GP practice details for underwriting
How Elena helps, specifically.
Diagnosis-triggered
Funds arrive when you stop earning, not after you're gone.
Definitions compared
We compare condition wording, not just price — severity definitions decide claims.
Cost balanced
Blend full and partial cover to keep premiums realistic against your budget.
Children included
Most plans cover children up to £25,000 as standard.
Combined with life
One policy, two triggers — usually cheaper than buying separately.
AI-matched
Elena weighs condition lists, claim stats and price for your health profile.
Top insurer matches for this cover
"Broad condition list with strong severity definitions and value pricing."
"Focused on the three conditions behind most claims — lowest cost per £ of cover."
"Most comprehensive list plus generous partial-payment structure."
Questions, answered.
Elena, our AI mortgage expert, can answer it in seconds — or book you a free callback with a human broker.
What does critical illness cover pay out for?
How much does critical illness cover cost?
Is critical illness worth having with a mortgage?
Are pre-existing conditions covered?
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