If you were diagnosed with something serious, like cancer or a heart attack, Critical Illness Cover can ease the pressure - so you can focus on recovery, not bills.
Simple protection. Serious conditions.
Critical Illness Cover pays a lump sum if you’re diagnosed with a Critical Illness - like cancer, heart attack or stroke. It’s money to help when life gets tough.
A one-off, tax-free payout.
You get a single, tax-free lump sum to use however you need - from covering bills and mortgage to taking time off work or paying for private treatment.
Anyone with responsibilities.
Whether you’ve got a family, a mortgage, or you’re self-employed - if getting critically ill would hit your finances hard, this cover could make all the difference.
The big stuff - and sometimes more.
Most policies cover cancer, heart attacks and strokes. Some insurers cover 100+ Critical Illness conditions, plus options for Children’s Cover and early-stage diagnosis.
Your health comes first.
It’s there to give you space - to recover, adapt, and take care of what matters. Think household bills, medical costs, family time or even home adjustments.
Real advice. Real support.
We make it easy to understand, help you pick the right policy, and stay by your side if you ever need to claim. No stress. No jargon. Just proper peace of mind.
Not all Critical Illness policies are built the same. Some cover more conditions than others, and some go the extra mile with benefits like Children’s Cover, Second Opinion Services or early-stage payouts.
We’ve handpicked six of the most comprehensive policies in the UK right now - so you can see what the best really looks like.*
Illness |  |  |  |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cancer Conditions | 34 | 33 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 33 |
Disability Conditions | 6 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 5 |
Heart Conditions | 13 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 13 |
Neurological Conditions | 28 | 29 | 26 | 23 | 26 | 26 |
Organ Failure Conditions | 19 | 21 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 16 |
Pregnancy Conditions | ✗ | 6 | ✗ | 9 | ✗ | ✗ |
Other Conditions | 7 | 12 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 |
Total Conditions | 107 | 124 | 102 | 109 | 99 | 100 |
Children’s Available | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Children’s Conditions | 119 | 128 | 110 | 110 | 109 | 55 |
*These are Upgraded Critical Illness Products, with Upgraded Children’s Cover and correct as of 23rd May 2025
Some of the most heart-wrenching claims we see are for children - in fact, Children’s Critical Illness is one of the top five reasons for claims in the UK.
Many policies include Children’s Cover as standard. If your child is diagnosed with something serious, this cover provides a tax-free lump sum to help with costs and give you time to focus on what matters most: being there for them.
Many of the best Critical Illness policies come with extra support - services to help with the emotional, mental and physical impact of a serious diagnosis.
Think virtual GPs, second opinions, counselling and physio - all included at no extra cost. These often-overlooked extras can make a huge difference when life takes a turn, offering real support beyond just the payout.
A serious illness can turn your world upside down - from your income to your daily routine. Critical Illness Cover gives you the breathing room to take back control.
It can help with time off work, medical costs, or easing financial pressure while you recover. The right policy gives you options, not stress, so you can focus on what matters most, without the added pressure when things already feel overwhelming.
1 in 2 people in the UK will get cancer in their lifetime. It’s more common than you think - and not just in older people.
(Cancer Research UK, 2024)
More than 100,000 people have a stroke each year in the UK, 11% of all male claims! A stroke can affect your mobility, memory, and income - recovery takes time.
(Stroke Association, 2023)
Every 5 minutes, someone in the UK is admitted to hospital with a heart attack. That’s over 100,000 heart attacks a year.
(British Heart Foundation, 2023)
The average recovery time after a cancer diagnosis can be 12-24 months.
(Macmillan Cancer Support, 2024)
Cancer accounts for about 58% of all Critical Illness claims. Cancer is the most common condition by far - especially for women, where it makes up 74% of claims. Choosing a policy with strong cancer cover - and advice that makes sense - is absolutely vital.
(Reassured (Aviva data, 2025))
£1.2 billion in Critical Illness claims paid in 2023 - a 13% rise on 2022. That’s more families and individuals getting financial support when they need it most.
(Association of British Insurers (ABI))
The average Critical Illness claim payout in the UK is over £67,000. That’s enough to cover a year off work, mortgage payments, or private treatment.
(Association of British Insurers (ABI), 2023)
Only about 12% of UK adults have Critical Illness Cover - yet 1 in 3 may face a serious condition.
(Lovewell‑Blake, Dec 2024)
The average UK household spends £2,300 a month on essential bills.
(Office for National Statistics (ONS), 2023)
1 in 2 people in the UK will get cancer in their lifetime. It’s more common than you think - and not just in older people.
(Cancer Research UK, 2024)
More than 100,000 people have a stroke each year in the UK, 11% of all male claims! A stroke can affect your mobility, memory, and income - recovery takes time.
(Stroke Association, 2023)
Every 5 minutes, someone in the UK is admitted to hospital with a heart attack. That’s over 100,000 heart attacks a year.
(British Heart Foundation, 2023)
The average recovery time after a cancer diagnosis can be 12-24 months.
(Macmillan Cancer Support, 2024)
Cancer accounts for about 58% of all Critical Illness claims. Cancer is the most common condition by far - especially for women, where it makes up 74% of claims. Choosing a policy with strong cancer cover - and advice that makes sense - is absolutely vital.
(Reassured (Aviva data, 2025))
£1.2 billion in Critical Illness claims paid in 2023 - a 13% rise on 2022. That’s more families and individuals getting financial support when they need it most.
(Association of British Insurers (ABI))
The average Critical Illness claim payout in the UK is over £67,000. That’s enough to cover a year off work, mortgage payments, or private treatment.
(Association of British Insurers (ABI), 2023)
Only about 12% of UK adults have Critical Illness Cover - yet 1 in 3 may face a serious condition.
(Lovewell‑Blake, Dec 2024)
The average UK household spends £2,300 a month on essential bills.
(Office for National Statistics (ONS), 2023)
If you or a key team member were diagnosed with a serious illness, how would the business keep running? Critical Illness Cover gives financial breathing room when someone essential has to step away. Whether it’s the director, lead advisor or top biller, a serious diagnosis can shake the business.
This cover helps protect cashflow, reassure clients, and buy time to adapt - without everything grinding to a halt. It’s not just peace of mind for that person, but stability for the whole team.
Ian was brilliant - made sure everything made sense and found me the right policy.
I’ve dealt with a lot of companies over the years - Waddle is in a league of its own. Professional, kind, and always on my side.
Super clear, easy to talk to, and no pushy sales tactics. Loved the experience.
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