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Critical Illness Cover

Backed by over 40 years’ experience, Ward Goodman provides clear, independent advice on critical illness insurance, helping you understand your options and choose cover that supports your financial security and long-term plans.
  • Independent advice on critical illness cover and protection
  • Clear guidance on policy options, definitions, and exclusions
  • Free, no-obligation meeting at one of our Dorset offices or online
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Helpful in every way, giving peace of mind to any concern’s or questions regarding personal tax issues, and investments. A very professional team, would highly recommend them.

Paul Collins

Rated 5 out of 5

I’d like to send my appreciation to Adrian for laying out some excellent advice in a preliminary, no commitment required chat. I found their use of language and broad understanding very insightful with my circumstances. Would highly recommend

Bobby Duncan

Rated 5 out of 5
I have been a client of Ward Goodman since 2010. They have provided superb service and advice throughout. They guided me through company establishment and funding routes and provided Payroll services and company accounts over this period.
Andrew Lawton
Rated 5 out of 5

I have delt with Ward Goodman for over 8 years and they have always been exemplary. Easy to deal with and always responsive. I would recomend their services to any buisness.

Mike Suthers

What Is Critical Illness Cover?

Critical illness cover is a type of insurance designed to provide a tax-free lump sum if you’re diagnosed with a serious medical condition covered by the policy. Common conditions can include certain types of cancer, heart attack, stroke, and other serious illnesses, although the exact list depends on the insurer and policy terms.

The payout can be used however you choose, such as covering everyday living costs, paying off a mortgage or other debts, funding medical treatment, or giving you financial breathing space during recovery. Unlike income protection, critical illness cover pays out once upon diagnosis, rather than providing ongoing monthly payments.

Because policies vary widely in what they cover and how claims are assessed, independent advice is important to ensure you understand the scope, limitations, and suitability of cover.

How Critical Illness Cover Works

Critical illness cover works by paying a one-off lump sum if you’re diagnosed with a condition listed in your policy and meet the insurer’s definition of that illness. You choose the level of cover and policy length at the outset, and premiums are usually paid monthly.

If a valid claim is accepted, the lump sum is paid directly to you, and the policy typically ends. The amount paid does not usually depend on your income, but on the cover level selected. Some policies can be combined with life insurance, providing protection in the event of either serious illness or death.

Before taking out cover, it’s important to review definitions, exclusions, and any limits carefully. Clear advice helps ensure the policy aligns with your financial needs and priorities.

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Are You Eligible For Critical Illness Cover?

Before looking in more detail at critical illness protection, it’s helpful to check whether you’re likely to qualify for a policy. Individual provider criteria vary, but there are some common requirements most insurers look for.

In many cases, you’ll usually need to:

  • Be a UK resident aged 18 or over (some plans have upper age limits)
  • Be in good health or disclose any medical history when you apply
  • Complete health and lifestyle questions as part of the application
  • Meet any specific policy conditions relating to the illnesses covered
Eligibility can vary between providers and policies. A full review of your personal circumstances and medical history is needed to confirm whether cover can be offered, what level of cover is appropriate, and whether any exclusions apply.
Find Out If You Are Eligible

What’s Included with Critical Illness Cover

  • Cash payout on diagnosis If you’re diagnosed with a condition listed in your policy, the plan pays a tax-free lump sum to help with costs.
  • Wide range of serious conditions Policies typically cover major illnesses such as cancer, heart attack, stroke and many other serious conditions defined in your policy terms.
  • Lump sum you choose You can select the amount of cover and the policy term that suits your needs.
  • Use the money as you wish The payout is flexible - it can help with living costs, mortgage payments, medical bills or adaptations needed after diagnosis.
  • Can be standalone or combined with life cover Some plans are bought on their own or added to life insurance for broader protection.

Important Things to Know

  • Only defined conditions are covered You’ll only receive a payout for illnesses listed in your policy and meeting its specific definitions.
  • Survival period may apply Many plans require you to survive for a set number of days after diagnosis before a payout is made.
  • One-off payout only Critical illness cover usually pays once - after a valid claim, the policy ends.
  • No return of premiums if unused If you never make a claim, there’s typically no cash value or refund.
  • Policies differ between providers What’s covered, term length and exclusions vary, so it’s important to understand your specific plan’s terms.
  • Premium costs can vary significantly The price you pay for cover depends on factors such as your age, health, lifestyle and the level and duration of cover you choose.
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Meet Our Critical Illness Cover Specialists

Our critical illness advisers provide independent advice, helping you understand your cover options with clarity and confidence.

Adrian Seager

Financial Planner

Alex Foster

Group Managing Director & Chartered Financial Planner

Chris Peters

Financial Planner

Gareth Simon

Group Director & Head of Financial Services

Garry Crook

Financial Planner

Bill Muammar

Chartered Financial Planner

Meet The Wider Team

Our Individual & Family Protection Services

Income Protection

Helping protect your income if you’re unable to work due to illness or injury, with regular monthly payments designed to keep you financially stable.

Mortgage Protection

Ensuring your mortgage is covered in the event of death or serious illness, giving you peace of mind that your home is protected and your family’s future is secure.

Life Insurance

Providing financial support for your loved ones with cover that pays out a lump sum on death, helping protect mortgages, family income, and future plans.

Critical Illness Cover

Supporting you with insurance that pays a tax-free lump sum if you are diagnosed with a serious condition listed in your policy, helping protect your finances when you need it most.

Book a Discovery Call

Frequently Asked Questions

Critical illness cover can be an important part of your financial protection. Below, we answer some of the most common questions to help you understand how it works and whether it may be right for you.
Critical illness cover is a type of insurance that pays out a tax-free lump sum if you are diagnosed with a serious medical condition that is listed in your policy and meets the insurer’s definitions. It is designed to help with the financial impact of illness – such as covering everyday bills, mortgage payments, or care costs – while you focus on recovery. Once a valid claim is paid, the policy usually ends.
Policies vary but typically include serious conditions such as certain forms of cancer, heart attack and stroke. Other conditions like organ transplants, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s/dementia and Parkinson’s disease are also commonly covered, depending on the provider and level of cover you choose. You must check your policy for the exact list and definitions.
The amount you need depends on your personal circumstances – including your mortgage or major bills, childcare costs, outstanding debts and how long you would need financial support if you could not work. Many people choose cover that reflects several years of essential living costs, but the right level varies by individual. Advice from a specialist can help tailor this to your situation.
Life insurance and critical illness cover serve different purposes. Life insurance pays out on death, while critical illness cover pays out while you are alive if diagnosed with a qualifying condition. Even with life insurance, you may still face financial pressure during a serious illness, so many people take both. Whether it is worth it depends on your financial resilience, family situation and peace-of-mind priorities.
Yes – many providers let you add critical illness cover as an option alongside life insurance. This can give you the benefit of a payout either on diagnosis of a qualifying condition or on death, depending on how the policy is structured. It is important to understand how the combined policy works so you know when and how a payout would be made.
Premiums vary based on factors including your age, health, lifestyle, smoking status, level of cover and policy term. Generally, higher ages and risk factors lead to higher premiums. Because critical illness cover can pay out during your lifetime (and is statistically more likely to be claimed than life insurance alone), it can cost more than life cover on its own.
No – critical illness cover pays out a lump sum only if you are diagnosed with a defined critical condition covered by your policy. It is not income replacement insurance. If you want cover that pays regular monthly benefits while you cannot work, you would typically look at income protection insurance instead.
Pre-existing conditions are not automatically covered. If you have an existing health issue, insurers may either exclude that condition from cover, increase your premiums, or in some cases decline cover altogether. Always disclose your full medical history when applying, as failing to do so can invalidate your policy.
A claim is usually paid when you’re diagnosed with a condition that meets the policy’s precise definition, and you survive for a short period after diagnosis (often around 10–14 days on many UK plans). Once a valid claim is accepted, the tax-free lump sum is paid directly to you and the policy typically ends.
Yes – a specialist insurance adviser can help you understand differences between policies, which conditions are covered, how definitions affect claims, and whether combining with life or income protection makes sense for your circumstances. Expert advice can help ensure you choose the right protection for your needs.
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The Process

A hassle free onboarding process

Initial referral or inquiry

Whether you’ve been referred or inquired yourself, our team will reach out to you in a timely manner

Free consultation

We offer a no-cost, no-obligation meeting at one of our offices, or over the phone

Quote and setup

We’ll provide you with a tailored quote and when you’re ready, our tax advisors will begin services

Book a Meeting

If you would like to discuss further, please book a meeting with an experienced member of our team. Simply let us know when’s best for you and we will get in touch to arrange a suitable time.

Why Choose Ward Goodman?

Client satisfaction is paramount to us. We have a broad range of clients, and we endeavour to offer them the best tax planning service possible through continuous improvement and focus on doing things right the first time.

Experienced Advisors & Accountants

Our Dorset-based team can advise and support any size of business locally or nationwide.

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Flexible, bespoke service covering all aspects of tax planning.

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From our Financial Advisors to Pension Advisors.

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Ward Goodman’s excellence in accounting and tax advice is validated by notable awards and accreditations within the UK financial industry.

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Need advice? Our team of financial experts can help.

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