Life Insurance and Critical Illness Cover - An Independent Guide

Term life insurance is a simple form of life insurance policy that pays out a lump sum in the event of the death of the policyholder. Life insurance ensures that your family and dependents do not suffer financially if you die or become terminally ill.

When buying life insurance, critical illness cover is usually available at additional cost. With such cover, the sum assured is payable on the diagnosis of a critical illness.

This independent guide to critical illness cover, published by the Association of British Insurers, has been designed to help you understand more about how critical illness cover works, so that you can make an informed choice before you buy an insurance policy.

The Association of British Insurers are the recognised trade organisation for insurance companies operating in the United Kingdom. In addition to this guide, the literature you receive from companies providing life insurance and critical illness cover should contain an outline of the products which you are considering buying.

These outlines are meant to help you compare the benefits offered by different health insurance products. They give you a brief overview of what is, and is not, covered when you buy life insurance and critical illness cover.

1. What is level term life insurance?
2. What is mortgage protection insurance?
3. Why should I consider buying critical illness cover?
4. What are critical illness policies?
5. Which illnesses are covered?
6. Will any exclusions apply to the critical illness cover?
7. How do I compare critical illness cover policies?
8. What types of critical illness policy are available?
9. What is the cost of critical illness cover?
10. Who can take out critical illness cover?
11. Can I increase my cover after the policy starts?
12. How do I apply for critical illness cover?
13. How do I make a claim?
14. What should I do if I want to complain?