Critical Illness Cover

A critical illness can have a profound impact — not just on your health, but on your finances and your family’s wellbeing. Critical Illness Cover is designed to give you a tax-free lump sum payment if you’re diagnosed with one of the specified serious health conditions covered by your policy.

At J Finance, we help you understand what this cover can (and can’t) do, how it works, and whether it’s the right protection for your situation.

Critical Illness Cover is a type of insurance that pays out a lump sum if you’re diagnosed with a defined critical illness — such as certain cancers, heart attack, stroke or other major conditions included in your policy.

Unlike life insurance, which pays out on death, critical illness cover pays out while you’re still alive — which can help you focus on recovery rather than financial pressure.

This lump sum can be used to cover costs that matter to you and your family, including everyday bills, mortgage payments, specialist care, or adapting your home to meet new needs.

Even with savings and other protections, a critical illness can still create financial strain. Many people choose critical illness cover to:

Support the Household Income

If you’re unable to work due to illness, a payout can help maintain mortgage payments, bills and day-to-day living costs.

Reduce Stress on Your Family

A lump sum can provide breathing room for your family to adjust and focus on care and recovery.

Cover Care and Rehabilitation Needs

Specialist treatments, rehabilitation, adaptations or equipment can be costly — and this cover helps bridge the gap.

Protect Savings and Retirement Funds

Rather than dipping into savings or pensions, a payout can help you preserve long-term financial plans.

Critical illness policies cover a list of specified conditions. Typical conditions include:

• Certain types of cancer

• Heart attack

• Stroke

• Organ failure

• Major neurological conditions

• Other serious illnesses specified in the policy wording

Policy wording varies between providers, and not every condition will be covered by every plan. We help you understand what’s included and tailor the policy to your needs.

Here’s how a typical policy functions:

1. Choose Your Level of Cover

Decide how much lump sum you’d want if a claim is needed — enough to cover ongoing costs, debts and future plans.

2. Select Your Policy Term

Most policies run for a defined period — often aligned with mortgage term or working life — so the cover ends at the term’s close.

3. Pay Regular Premiums

You make monthly or annual payments to keep the policy active. Premiums are based on age, health, lifestyle and the level of cover chosen.

4. Claim on Diagnosis

If you’re diagnosed with a covered condition during the policy term, you can make a claim. Once validated, the insurer pays out a tax-free lump sum.

This helps you take financial pressure off while focusing on what matters most — your health and family.

Not all conditions fall under standard critical illness definitions. Policies usually have specific criteria for each condition, and exclusion criteria can apply — such as pre-existing conditions or illnesses not listed in the policy.

We make sure you understand exactly what the policy includes, what the definitions mean and how a claim is assessed before you commit.

The right amount of cover depends on your personal circumstances. Consider:

• Your income and household expenses

• Outstanding mortgage balance

• Loans or credit commitments

• Future financial plans

• Costs of private treatment, care or adaptations

We help you calculate a suitable level of cover so your policy matches your lifestyle, responsibilities and peace-of-mind needs.

Premiums for critical illness cover are influenced by:

Age

Younger applicants typically pay lower premiums than older applicants.

Health and Lifestyle

Medical history, smoking status, weight, and other lifestyle factors all play a part in premium calculations.

Level and Term of Cover

Higher cover amounts and longer terms usually attract higher premiums.

Occupation and Hobbies

Certain jobs or high-risk hobbies may increase premiums due to higher exposure to risk.

We review all factors to help you find competitive cover based on your profile.

Critical illness cover can be taken:

On Its Own

Standalone critical illness cover provides protection purely for the conditions listed, and pays out if you’re diagnosed.

Combined With Life Insurance

You can add critical illness cover to life insurance so that either a serious illness or death — whichever happens first — triggers a payment.

We explain the advantages of both options so you can decide what works best for you and your family.

Critical illness cover isn’t a “set and forget” product. You should review your policy when:

• Your income changes

• You buy or remortgage your home

• You start a family

• You take on significant financial responsibilities

• Your health or lifestyle changes

Regular reviews help ensure your cover remains relevant to your life stage.

Critical illness cover can be complex, with variations in definitions, terms and conditions across providers. At J Finance, we:

• Assess your financial situation and protection needs

• Explain cover options in clear, jargon-free language

• Compare competitive plans from multiple providers

• Help structure a solution that aligns with your lifestyle and budget

• Support you through the application and underwriting process

We make sure you understand what you’re buying, why it matters and how it protects the ones you care about most.

Here are some helpful steps to get the best from your cover:

Be Honest on Your Application

Accurate information about your health and lifestyle helps prevent problems if you need to claim.

Understand Definitions

Different insurers use different definitions of conditions — we help you interpret the wording so you know what’s covered.

Budget for the Long Term

Ensure premiums fit your budget throughout the policy term to keep your cover in force.

Consider Combined Options

Adding critical illness to life cover can improve flexibility and protection.

Critical illness cover provides peace of mind and financial support when you need it most. At J Finance, we’re here to help you find the right policy for your unique circumstances.

📞 01635 521300
📧 contact@jfinance.co.uk