Life Insurance with Critical Illness Cover protects families from financial hardship by paying out a one-off tax-free lump-sum if the policyholder dies during the term of the policy, or if they suffer a serious illness like cancer or a stroke, or a permanent disability caused by injury. The money can be used to pay off mortgages and other outstanding debts as well as providing a source of income for everyday living.
Premiums are paid monthly and the cover is set for a fixed period of time, often for the length of a mortgage or up to the age of retirement. The amount of life and critical illness cover varies according to how much you can afford and how much cover you think you need to pay off debts and provide day to day income.
The cost of the insurance is affected by various factors including the sum to be insured, existing health conditions, lifestyle issues like smoking and high BMI, age, occupation and any regular dangerous pursuits.
Most advisers would recommend taking out separate Life Insurance and Critical Illness Policies as you can only make one claim per policy, and if you suffer a serious illness it will be more difficult and more expensive to apply for a new life insurance policy.