What life insurance does
Life insurance pays out if you die during the policy term — a lump sum or income for the people you leave behind. Its job is to clear debts like the mortgage and support your family’s standard of living.
What critical illness cover does
Critical illness cover pays a tax-free lump sum if you are diagnosed with one of the specific serious conditions the policy covers, such as certain cancers, heart attack or stroke — while you are still alive. It can help you take time off work, adapt your home, or simply reduce financial pressure while you recover.
Do you need both?
Many people do. Statistically you are more likely to be seriously ill during your working life than to die young, so critical illness cover fills a real gap. The two are often taken together, sometimes on one policy, sometimes separately.
Choosing what’s right
Policies vary a lot in the conditions they cover and how they define them. This is where advice earns its keep — we compare the detail, not just the price, so you know what you are actually covered for.
This guide is general information, not personal financial advice. As with all insurance policies, terms, conditions and exclusions apply.