Critical illness cover

Yes, you can take out a joint policy or choose separate cover for each partner.

Most joint policies allow one claim only. If one person claims, the policy usually ends and the other partner’s cover stops too. Some insurers offer enhanced joint options that continue covering the second person, but these may cost more.

Separate policies (dual cover) give each partner their own payout and are often better if you both want independent protection.

Yes, many insurers include children’s critical illness cover either automatically or as an optional add-on for a small extra cost.

The level of protection varies between providers. Some policies offer a fixed payout, while others pay a percentage of your own cover, often between 25% and 50%, usually with a maximum limit.

Cover normally applies to dependent children within a certain age range, so it’s worth checking the details carefully.

Before choosing a policy, look at whether children’s cover is included as standard, whether you need to opt in, and how much would actually be paid if you needed to claim.

Yes, some insurers offer standalone critical illness cover, but many people choose to add it to a life insurance policy instead.

Standalone cover can give you more flexibility, separate payouts, and protection that isn’t affected by a life insurance claim. However, it’s often more expensive than combining policies.

Add-on cover (critical illness alongside life insurance) is usually more cost-efficient, but payouts can be linked, meaning a critical illness claim may reduce or end the life insurance cover, depending on how the policy is set up.

Choosing between the two comes down to budget, how much protection you want, and whether you prefer independent cover or a cheaper combined optoin.

It depends on how your policy is set up.

With combined cover, you’ll usually receive one payout only. If you claim for a critical illness, the policy typically ends and there won’t be a later life insurance payout.

With add-on cover, critical illness and life insurance can work as two separate protections, meaning one payout if you’re diagnosed and another if you pass away during the policy term.

No. Once you have claimed and a lump sum is paid out your cover under the policy automatically ends.

Terminal illness cover is different to critical illness cover and is usually included as a standard in life insurance policies. It means your insurer pays out if your doctor has confirmed you have a terminal condition and you’re likely to pass away within 12 months.

No. While both critical illness insurance and income protection insurance support you financially if you are unable to work, they do so in different ways.

Critical illness cover will typically provide you with a one-off lump sum payment if you are unable to work because of a health condition. Income protection insurance works differently by covering your loss of earnings for a fixed period or until you can return to work.

Different types of income protection insurance are available that can either cover a set portion of your salary, or your mortgage or loan repayments, for example.

The main difference between the critical illness cover and life insurance is how you receive your lump sum payment if you make a claim.

• Critical illness pays out to the policyholder directly if they have a medical emergency that affects their lifestyle, such as a heart attack or a stroke.

• Life insurance pays out the amount to loved ones after the policyholder dies.

Both can be purchased individually, or you can add critical illness onto your life insurance policy.

No, critical illness cover is designed to pay a lump sum while you’re alive if you’re diagnosed with a serious condition listed in your policy. It typically doesn’t pay out purely because of death.

Once a successful critical illness claim is made, the policy usually ends and no further payments are made later on. If you want cover that pays when you die, you would normally need a separate life insurance policy.

Some plans include terminal illness cover, which may pay out early if you’re diagnosed with a condition expected to lead to death within a specified timeframe. This is different from standard critical illness cover and depends on your policy terms.

A claim may be declined if the policy terms aren’t met. Common reasons include:

• Non-disclosure – incorrect or missing information about your health, smoking status, or lifestyle when you applied.

• Severity thresholds – the condition must meet the insurer’s medical definition, not just a diagnosis.

• Exclusions or waiting periods – some illnesses aren’t covered, or claims made too soon after the policy starts may not qualify.

To avoid issues, keep copies of your application details, medical reports, and test results so you can support your claim if needed.