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🏥 Critical Illness Cover

Get the Critical Illness Cover Your Family Deserves

1 in 2 people in the UK will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. Critical illness cover pays a tax-free lump sum when you need it most.

Whole of market comparisons
Free & no obligation advice
Takes 60 seconds to compare
Rated 4.9★ online reviews

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Family protected by critical illness cover

£67,600

Average CIC payout

40+

Conditions covered

12,000+

Families protected

4.9★

Average adviser rating

📋 Get your quote

Find out what you'd pay in 60 seconds

Answer a few simple questions and compare critical illness cover quotes from every major UK insurer, no pressure, no obligation.

Why Compare Critical Illness Cover with Lifecoverfor.com?

Critical illness cover is one of the most complex insurance products on the market. Policies vary hugely, from the number of conditions covered to the definitions used and the exclusions applied. Comparing properly is essential.

We compare policies from every major UK insurer so you can find the right cover for your circumstances, with clear explanations, expert guidance, and no jargon.

Covers 40+ Conditions

Cancer, heart attack, stroke, MS and many more serious conditions covered by leading policies.

Tax-Free Lump Sum

Average payout of £67,600, completely tax-free to spend however you need.

Whole-of-Market

Compare every major UK insurer to find the best cover and the best price for you.

FCA-Regulated

Every adviser is independently authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Types of Cover

Types of Critical Illness Cover

Critical illness cover can be tailored to your needs. Understand the options so you can choose the right protection for your family.

Cancer Cover

Cover for cancer diagnoses, including many early-stage cancers.

Heart Attack & Stroke Cover

Lump sum payout for heart attack, stroke, or cardiovascular conditions.

Neurological Conditions

Cover for MS, Parkinson's, motor neurone disease and more.

Children's Critical Illness

Many policies cover your children at no extra cost.

Combined Life & Critical Illness

Add critical illness to life insurance for a combined, lower premium.

Mortgage Critical Illness

Pays off your mortgage if diagnosed with a serious illness.

Expert Guides

Critical Illness Cover Guides

Everything you need to know about critical illness cover, explained in plain English.

What Is Critical Illness Cover?

A complete beginner's guide

How Much Cover Do I Need?

Calculate the right amount

How Much Does It Cost?

UK pricing breakdown

CIC vs Life Insurance

Key differences explained

Conditions Covered

Full list of illnesses

CIC for Mortgages

Protect your home

Pre-Existing Conditions

Your options explained

Children's CIC

Covering your kids

Family Critical Illness

Whole-family protection

Is CIC Worth It?

Honest assessment

Real Reviews

What Our Customers Say

Rachel H.

Edinburgh • Critical Illness

★★★★★

“Peace of mind we needed”

After my colleague was diagnosed with cancer, we realised we had no protection. Got critical illness cover sorted within a week. The adviser explained every condition clearly, no confusion.

Tom K.

Birmingham • Critical Illness

★★★★★

“Saved us thousands”

We were about to go with our mortgage lender's policy. The adviser found us better cover with more conditions covered for £12 less a month. Really thorough comparison.

Laura C.

Cardiff • Critical Illness

★★★★★

“Made a complex decision simple”

I had no idea there were so many differences between policies. The guide on conditions covered was brilliant, and the adviser matched us with a policy that covers over 50 conditions.

Mark D.

Liverpool • Critical Illness

★★★★★

“Claimed £85,000 within three weeks”

I was diagnosed with bowel cancer last year. The claim was straightforward and the £85,000 lump sum meant I could focus entirely on treatment without worrying about bills. Cannot recommend this enough.

Natalie R.

Norwich • Critical Illness

★★★★★

“Cover for over 60 conditions”

I wanted a policy that covered as many conditions as possible. The adviser compared six insurers and found one covering 62 conditions for £28 a month. The whole process took less than half an hour.

Chris B.

Sheffield • Critical Illness

★★★★★

“Wish I'd done it sooner”

After my mate had a stroke at 42, I realised I had nothing in place. Got £100,000 of cover for £34 a month. The tax-free lump sum would cover my mortgage and give my family breathing room if the worst happened.

Simple Process

How It Works

Tell us about yourself

Quick questions about your life and health. Done in 60 seconds.

You evaluate quotes

Compare benefits and cover from every major insurer.

You decide

Pick a policy yourself, or let one of our advisers help.

Find the Right Critical Illness Cover for You

Critical illness cover isn't one-size-fits-all. Find the right policy for your situation.

Got Questions?

Frequently Asked Questions

Critical illness cover pays a tax-free lump sum if you're diagnosed with a serious illness specified in your policy, such as cancer, heart attack, or stroke. You can use the money however you need, whether that's paying off your mortgage, covering treatment costs, or replacing lost income.

Most policies cover a core set of conditions including cancer, heart attack, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and organ transplants. Some insurers cover 40+ conditions while others cover fewer. The exact list varies by provider, which is why comparing policies is so important.

Consider what you'd need to cover if you were diagnosed with a serious illness, your mortgage, debts, living costs, and potential loss of income. Many people choose cover equal to their mortgage balance plus 2–3 years' salary.

The survival period is the number of days you must survive after diagnosis before the policy pays out, typically 14 or 28 days. This is a standard condition across all insurers and exists to distinguish critical illness cover from life insurance.

If a serious diagnosis would put you under financial pressure, then yes. 1 in 2 people will get cancer in their lifetime, and the average CIC payout of £67,600 can make a significant difference to your family's financial security during recovery.

It depends on the condition. Some pre-existing conditions may be excluded from your policy, while others won't affect your cover at all. A whole-of-market comparison finds the insurers most likely to offer you the best terms.

Life insurance pays out when you die. Critical illness cover pays out if you're diagnosed with a serious illness while you're still alive. They protect against different risks, which is why many people choose both for complete protection.

Many policies include free children's critical illness cover, typically paying a percentage of your sum assured if your child is diagnosed with a covered condition. Check the policy details as the conditions covered for children may differ from the adult list.

Yes, critical illness payouts are completely tax-free. You receive the full lump sum with no deductions, and you can spend it however you choose.

Yes, this is called 'combined' or 'accelerated' critical illness cover. It's added to your life insurance policy and pays out on either a covered diagnosis or death (whichever happens first). It's usually cheaper than buying two separate policies.

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12,000+ families protected • Rated 4.9★ online • Cover 40+ conditions