Critical Illness CoverSupport When You Need It Most
Critical illness cover can pay a lump sum if you’re diagnosed with a specified serious illness that meets your policy’s definition. We’ll help you understand how it works and compare suitable options.
- Honest, straightforward advice
- Cover tailored to your needs
- No-obligation review
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What is critical illness cover?
Critical illness cover pays a one-off lump sum if you’re diagnosed with one of the serious illnesses listed in your policy, and your condition meets the policy’s definition.
You can usually use the money however you choose, giving you financial breathing space while you focus on your health.
Not health insurance
Private health insurance helps pay for eligible treatment. Critical illness cover pays you a lump sum on diagnosis of a qualifying condition.
How a payout could help
A lump sum could ease money worries during a difficult time.
Bills and living costs
Help with everyday costs if your income is affected.
Mortgage or rent
Help to keep up with housing costs or reduce your mortgage.
Home adjustments
Help towards changes to your home that make daily life easier.
Policy definitions matter
Each insurer sets out which conditions are covered and how each one is defined, including how severe it must be. Not every cancer, heart attack or stroke will qualify.
Some policies also require you to survive for a set period after diagnosis, and exclusions apply. We’ll help you compare definitions, not just prices.
- Condition definitionsWhich illnesses are listed and how each is defined.
- Severity requirementsHow advanced a condition must be to qualify.
- Survival periodWhether you must survive a set time after diagnosis.
Standalone or combined?
Critical illness cover can be arranged on its own or with life insurance.
Standalone cover
A policy that pays out only on a qualifying critical illness claim.
Combined with life cover
Life and critical illness cover in one plan. Depending on how it’s set up, a critical illness claim may reduce or end the remaining life cover.
How a combined policy works after a claim varies, so we’ll explain the arrangement clearly before you decide.
Critical illness cover and other policies
Each type of cover does a different job.
Critical illness cover
A lump sum on diagnosis of a qualifying condition.
Private health insurance
Helps pay for eligible private treatment. Learn more.
Income protection
Regular payments if illness stops you working. Learn more.
Important limitations
Understanding these helps you choose with confidence.
Not every diagnosis
A condition must meet the policy definition and any severity requirement.
Exclusions
Pre-existing conditions and other exclusions may apply.
Answer accurately
Incorrect or missing information when you apply could affect a claim.
How Bright Cover helps
Clear advice to help you understand what you’re buying.
Understanding your needs
We talk through your circumstances and what you’d want cover for.
Explaining definitions
What’s covered, what isn’t and how claims work.
Comparing suitable options
Options from UK insurers side by side, with no obligation.
Critical illness cover FAQs
Answers to questions people often ask.
Which illnesses are covered?
Each policy lists the conditions it covers and defines each one. Lists and definitions differ between insurers, so it’s worth comparing them rather than just the number of conditions.
Will any cancer, heart attack or stroke qualify?
Not always. A diagnosis must meet the policy’s definition, which may include severity requirements. Some policies pay a smaller amount for certain less severe conditions.
What is a survival period?
Some policies only pay if you survive for a set period after diagnosis. Whether this applies, and how long it is, depends on the policy.
What happens to life cover after a claim on a combined policy?
It depends on the arrangement. With some combined policies, a critical illness payout reduces or ends the remaining life cover. We’ll explain how any policy we discuss works.
Do I need it if I have health insurance?
They do different jobs. Health insurance helps pay for eligible treatment, while critical illness cover pays a lump sum you can use as you choose. Some people have both.
How is it different from income protection?
Critical illness cover usually pays one lump sum for a qualifying diagnosis. Income protection pays regular amounts if illness or injury stops you working, subject to the policy terms.
Ready to talk through your options?
Request your free, no-obligation review and an adviser will be in touch.