Can I Get Critical Illness Cover Without Life Insurance?

Yes, you can buy standalone critical illness cover without life insurance. This provides a tax-free lump sum if you're diagnosed with a serious condition, with no death benefit. It's suitable if you already have life cover elsewhere. However, combined policies often offer better value as the insurer only pays once. Compare costs for your specific situation.

Can I buy critical illness without life insurance?

Yes, standalone critical illness cover is available. You pay only for CI protection and receive a payout if diagnosed with a covered condition. No death benefit is included.

Why would I want CI without life insurance?

You might already have adequate life insurance through work or another policy. Standalone CI lets you add illness protection without duplicating death cover or paying for both.

Is standalone CI more expensive?

Per pound of cover, standalone CI often costs more than the CI element of a combined policy. This is because combined policies only pay once. Compare both options for your situation.

What are the alternatives?

Combined life and CI pays on either event (whichever first). Separate policies for each give two potential payouts. Accelerated CI (paid from life sum on illness) is another option.

Quick Answer

Should I Get Critical Illness Without Life Insurance?

Last reviewed: December 2025

Reviewed by Jay Sabine – CeMAP Qualified – 29 years experience

Standalone CI is available if you already have life cover. Combined policies usually offer better value. Compare both options - standalone may cost more per £ of cover.

Critical illness cover can be purchased as a standalone policy without any life insurance element. This suits people who already have adequate life insurance through work or existing policies. However, combined life and CI policies are often more cost-effective overall.

Key Points

1Standalone CI = illness cover only
2No death benefit included
3Suits those with existing life cover
4Combined policies often cheaper overall
5Standalone allows separate policy terms
6Compare costs for your situation

Eligibility Criteria

Same as combined policies
Age typically 18-65
Health declaration required
Pre-existing conditions may be excluded

Typical Timeframe

Application and underwriting similar to combined policies - typically 1-4 weeks.

Next Steps

1Review existing life insurance
2Calculate CI cover needed
3Get quotes for standalone and combined
4Compare total costs
5Consider future life insurance needs

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Feature	Standalone CI	Combined Life + CI
Death benefit	No	Yes
CI payout	Yes	Yes
Two payouts possible?	With separate life policy	No - pays once
Cost	Often higher per £	Usually better value
Best for	Existing life cover	New to protection

Should I Get Critical Illness Without Life Insurance?

Key Points

Eligibility Criteria

Typical Timeframe

Next Steps

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