Critical Illness Cover Calculator

Critical illness cover pays a tax-free lump sum if you are diagnosed with a serious illness specified in the policy, such as cancer, heart attack, stroke, or multiple sclerosis. Unlike life insurance, you receive the money while you are alive, allowing you to pay off debts, fund treatment, or adapt your home.

A common recommendation is enough to cover your mortgage plus 2-3 years of income. This gives you time to recover, adapt, or make necessary life changes. You should also consider home adaptation costs, private treatment costs, and reduced earning capacity. Typical cover amounts range from £100,000 to £500,000.

1 in 2 people will be diagnosed with a critical illness before age 65. The average CI claim in the UK is around £68,000. If you have a mortgage, dependants, or would struggle financially during a serious illness, CI cover is worth considering. The ABI reports that 92% of CI claims are paid.

Policies typically cover 40+ conditions including: cancer (all types), heart attack, stroke, coronary artery bypass, kidney failure, major organ transplant, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, blindness, deafness, and loss of limbs. Minimum definitions are standardised by the ABI Statement of Best Practice.

For a non-smoking 35-year-old, £100,000 of CI cover for 25 years costs approximately £25-£40 per month. Premiums increase significantly with age and for smokers. Adding CI to a life insurance policy (CI with Life) is cheaper than standalone CI, but only pays once for either death or critical illness.

Yes, but with exclusions or higher premiums. The pre-existing condition itself will usually be excluded from cover. Some conditions like controlled diabetes or treated high blood pressure may be covered with increased premiums. A specialist broker can search the whole market for the best terms for your situation.