Critical Illness cover is an insurance policy that pays out a lump sum if you are diagnosed with a specified serious illness. It can help you to cope financially if you are unable to work because of your illness, by providing you with a tax-free cash sum that can be used to help aid the financial strain having an illness can have on you and your family. 

A critical illness policy will usually pay out on diagnosis of conditions such as cancer, heart attack, stroke, kidney failure and multiple sclerosis. Some policies will also cover other less common illnesses. 

Critical Illness cover is often bought as an addition to a life insurance policy, so that your loved ones are still looked after financially if you die. However, it can also be bought as a standalone policy.

 If you are diagnosed with a critical illness, the last thing you want to worry about is money. Critical Illness cover can give you peace of mind that you and your family will be financially secure if the worst happens.