Do I Need Critical Illness Cover? Questions to Consider

Whether critical illness cover is appropriate depends on the financial effect of a qualifying diagnosis and the other resources available. It is a different decision from arranging a death benefit.

What would a lump sum need to do?

Think about borrowing, a period of reduced earnings, practical support and adaptations if needed. Check savings, sick pay, existing cover and employer benefits. A diagnosis alone does not tell you how large the financial gap would be.

Compare with income protection

Income protection can provide regular payments where illness or injury prevents work under the policy definition. Critical illness cover pays for specified diagnoses meeting definitions. They can complement each other but neither should be treated as an interchangeable replacement.

Cost and underwriting

Age, health, nicotine, benefit amount, duration and policy features affect premiums and availability. Life cover and critical illness benefits can receive different underwriting terms. An initial quote is not a promise that all benefits will be accepted at that price.

A useful comparison checklist

Check the insured conditions and severity definitions, benefit size, term, premium basis, exclusions, children’s cover, additional payments and what happens after a claim. Keep the benefit amount and duration consistent between quotations.

Further guidance

Read life and critical illness cover, how to compare critical illness policies and income protection.

Compare your options

Speak to our advice team about the protection discussed here. Initial quotations are subject to the insurer assessing the application. Cover begins only when the insurer confirms the policy is in force; completing a form or receiving a quote does not start cover.

Updated October 2026. General information, not a personal recommendation or a quotation. Eligibility, exclusions, premiums and tax treatment depend on the policy and individual circumstances. Discount Life Cover is a trading style of My Key Finance Ltd, authorised and regulated by the FCA, FRN 628996.

Further information: MoneyHelper: critical illness cover.