Critical Illness Cover, when life pivots.
A tax-free lump sum if you're diagnosed with one of the listed serious illnesses — cancer, heart attack, stroke, MS and many more. Use it to pay off the mortgage, cover treatment, adapt your home, or just take time off to recover with your family.
How it works
Typically 2 to 5 years of household income, plus any debts you'd want cleared. We'll help you right-size it.
Usually matched to your mortgage or until retirement. You can also bolt it onto an existing Life Insurance policy at a discount.
If you're diagnosed with a condition on the insurer's list and survive the specified period (usually 14 days), the lump sum lands in your bank.
Who it's for
- Anyone who'd struggle financially if they couldn't work for 12 months
- Mortgage holders — so a diagnosis doesn't cost you the house
- Self-employed people with no sick pay safety net
- Parents wanting their children covered under the policy at no extra cost
What's included
- 40 to 170+ illnesses covered depending on the insurer
- Children's Critical Illness included (most insurers)
- Partial payouts for less severe conditions (e.g. early-stage cancers)
- Available standalone or bolted onto Life Insurance
- Terminal illness benefit
- Free Trust set-up at application
Not all Critical Illness policies are equal.
Insurers vary wildly on which illnesses they cover, how they define them and whether partial payouts apply. One insurer might cover 50 conditions; another 170. We compare the policy wording, not just the price — so you buy a policy that will actually pay when you need it.
- Side-by-side comparison of definitions and conditions
- Expert advice on standalone vs combined policies
- Children's CI thresholds and payout levels explained
- No fees — broker commission is paid by the insurer
Common questions
Is the payout taxed?+
No — the lump sum from a Critical Illness policy is paid tax-free. If it's written in Trust, it sits outside your estate for IHT purposes too.
Does it pay out for every cancer?+
Most invasive cancers are covered. Very early-stage or non-invasive cancers often qualify for a partial payout (typically 25%) rather than the full sum. We'll show you the exact definitions before you commit.
Can I bolt it onto Life Insurance?+
Yes — a combined Life & Critical Illness policy is cheaper than two separate ones. It pays out on first diagnosis OR death, whichever comes first.
Can I claim more than once?+
On a standalone policy with reinstatement, yes — some insurers allow a second claim for a different condition. We'll flag which ones do.
Request a Critical Illness quote
A YPS advisor will give you a call to compare insurer wording, condition lists and prices — so you know exactly what you're buying.
