Personal protection insurance
Critical Illness Cover
When a serious illness strikes, managing your health should be your priority—not worrying about your finances. Bright Life Protection looks to find the most suitable Critical Illness Cover to ensure that if you’re diagnosed with a critical condition, you’ll receive a lump sum to help you through this challenging time.
What is
Critical Illness Cover?
Critical Illness Cover from Brightlife Protection
What is
Critical Illness Cover?
Critical illness cover provides financial support if you’re diagnosed with a serious illness, such as cancer, heart disease, or a stroke. Upon diagnosis, you’ll receive a tax-free lump sum payout to use however you need—whether it’s covering medical treatments, everyday living expenses, or repaying a mortgage.
This type of cover is ideal for young families and professionals alike. If you’re responsible for mortgage payments or dependents, or if your lifestyle would be affected by an inability to work, critical illness cover offers valuable financial security.
Who should Consider
Critical Illness Cover?
What Conditions are Covered?
Critical Illness cover includes a wide range of serious conditions.
Policies can vary, so it’s important to check which illnesses are covered when choosing your plan. Some policies also offer partial payouts for less severe illnesses, giving you flexibility and protection even in non-life-threatening situations.
Cancer
Stroke
Multiple Sclerosis
Heart Attack
Major Organ Transplants
Kidney Failure
What Conditions are Covered?
Critical Illness cover includes a wide range of serious conditions.
Policies can vary, so it’s important to check which illnesses are covered when choosing your plan. Some policies also offer partial payouts for less severe illnesses, giving you flexibility and protection even in non-life-threatening situations.
How does Payout work?
If you're diagnosed with a condition covered by your policy, you’ll need to provide medical documentation to initiate the claim. Once approved, the payout is released as a tax-free lump sum, which can be used to:
Treatments
Fund medical treatments not available on the NHS
Mortgage
Pay off your mortgage or other debts
Expenses
Cover living expenses if you're unable to work
Adaptations
Make home adaptations if needed for your recovery
Why add Critical Illness Cover to Your Protection Plan?
Critical illness cover is a key part of a broader protection plan. While life assurance helps secure your family’s future in the event of your passing, critical illness cover protects you while you’re alive. Combining these policies ensures comprehensive financial protection for you and your loved ones, no matter what life brings.
At Bright Life Protection, we understand that life can be unpredictable. Our critical illness cover offers peace of mind when you need it most.
Popular Questions about Critical Illness Cover
Critical illness cover is a type of insurance policy that provides a lump sum payment if you’re diagnosed with a serious illness listed in your policy, such as cancer, a heart attack, or a stroke. The payout is typically tax-free and can be used for medical expenses, mortgage payments, or daily living costs while you focus on your recovery.
The specific illnesses covered vary between providers, but common conditions include:
- Cancer (usually excluding less severe cases)
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Multiple sclerosis
- Organ transplants
- Kidney failure
Each policy has a detailed list, so it’s important to check the terms and any exclusions.
No, critical illness cover is different from life insurance. While life insurance provides a payout to your beneficiaries if you die, critical illness cover provides a lump sum to you if you’re diagnosed with a serious illness, helping you manage medical and living costs while you’re still alive.
Yes, because critical illness cover protects you during your lifetime. Life insurance only pays out after death, while critical illness cover can help you financially if you’re too ill to work or need expensive medical treatments.
It depends on the insurer and the condition. Some insurers may offer cover but exclude claims related to the pre-existing condition, while others might charge higher premiums or decline coverage altogether. It’s important to disclose all health conditions when applying.
Critical illness cover provides a one-time lump sum payout when you’re diagnosed with a covered illness, whereas income protection pays a percentage of your salary if you’re unable to work due to illness or injury, typically over a longer period.
The cost of critical illness cover depends on factors such as your age, health, lifestyle, the amount of cover you need, and the length of the policy. Smokers or people with pre-existing health conditions often pay more for coverage.
Yes, many providers offer combined policies where critical illness cover is an add-on to a life assurance policy. This can simplify your protection plan and ensure you have comprehensive coverage in one place.
If you’re diagnosed with a covered condition, you’ll need to provide medical documentation and complete a claims form from your insurer. Once your claim is approved, the payout will be made in a lump sum, which is typically tax-free.
In the UK, critical illness payouts are usually tax-free. However, if the payout generates any interest (for example, if you invest the lump sum), that interest may be taxable.