What is critical illness cover?
A lump sum to help you focus on recovery, not finances
Critical illness cover pays out a tax-free lump sum if you’re diagnosed with one of the serious illnesses defined in your policy, such as certain cancers, a heart attack, or a stroke. It’s designed to ease the financial pressure at a time when the last thing you need to worry about is money — covering things like mortgage payments, household bills, or the cost of adapting your home during recovery.
For an active person, or someone from a sporting family, an unexpected serious illness can affect your income and day-to-day life in ways that go beyond typical sick pay. Critical illness cover is one way to build a financial safety net around that risk.
We work with a panel of insurers and take the time to understand your circumstances before recommending suitable options. Coverage is subject to eligibility, underwriting, and the specific terms and conditions of the policy and insurer you choose — including definitions of covered illnesses, which vary by provider.
What does critical illness cover typically include?
The key conditions, and what varies between insurers
Most critical illness policies cover a defined list of serious conditions, which commonly includes cancer, heart attack, stroke, and organ failure, among others. The exact list of conditions and how each is defined vary significantly between insurers — this is one of the most important things to compare, not just the price.
Some policies also offer additional options, such as children’s critical illness cover as an add-on, or combining critical illness cover with life insurance.
Why sporting families consider critical illness cover
A financial cushion when it matters most
A serious diagnosis doesn’t ask whether you’re mid-season, mid-training block, or self-employed. Critical illness cover gives you a financial cushion at exactly the point when your normal income and routine may be disrupted, so you and your family have one less thing to worry about while you focus on recovery.
It’s worth considering alongside income protection or life insurance — each does a different job.
How we help you find suitable cover
Comparing your options, explained clearly
Every insurer assesses applications differently, and premiums and illness definitions vary. We compare suitable options from across our panel based on your circumstances, health, and budget, and explain the differences in plain terms.
If you already have other cover in place, we’ll also look at how critical illness cover fits alongside it.