What Is Life and Critical Illness Insurance?

Life and critical illness insurance is a combined policy paying a lump sum if you die OR are diagnosed with a serious illness (cancer, heart attack, stroke). It's cheaper than separate policies but you can only claim once - the policy ends after a critical illness claim. Combined cover typically costs 2-3x life-only insurance.

Learn more about life insurance in our detailed guide.

What is life and critical illness insurance?

Life and critical illness insurance is a combined policy that pays out if you die OR if you're diagnosed with a serious illness. It's cheaper than buying both separately, but you can only claim once - either on death or critical illness, not both.

Is it better to combine life and critical illness?

Combining is cheaper but you can only claim once. If you claim for critical illness, the life cover ends. Separate policies cost more but provide independent cover for each. For couples, separate policies often make more sense.

How much does life and critical illness cost?

For a 35-year-old non-smoker, £200,000 combined cover over 25 years might cost £40-60/month. Life-only would be £10-15, so adding critical illness roughly triples the cost but adds significant protection.

What does combined life and critical illness cover?

It covers death from any cause and diagnosis of serious illnesses including cancer, heart attack, stroke, and typically 40-60 other conditions. The payout is the same amount whether you die or are diagnosed with a covered illness.

Should couples get joint or single life and critical illness?

Joint cover is cheaper but only pays once (whichever partner claims first). Single policies for each person cost more but both can claim independently. For mortgage protection, joint may suffice; for maximum protection, choose single.

Can I add critical illness to existing life insurance?

Usually not - most insurers require you to take a new policy. However, some allow 'upgrading' within certain timeframes. It's often cheaper to get a new combined policy than add critical illness later.

Quick Answer

How Does Combined Life and Critical Illness Work?

Last reviewed: December 2025

Reviewed by Jay Sabine – CeMAP Qualified – 29 years experience

Combined policy pays if you die OR get seriously ill. Cheaper than separate but only one claim allowed. Policy ends after critical illness payout. Costs 2-3x life-only cover.

Life and critical illness insurance combines two types of protection into one policy. Instead of having separate life insurance and critical illness cover, you have a single policy that pays out on whichever event happens first - death or diagnosis of a covered condition.

Cover is subject to policy terms. Pre-existing conditions may be excluded or affect premiums.

Key Points

1Pays on death OR critical illness diagnosis
2Only one claim allowed (policy ends after)
3Cheaper than separate policies
4Covers 40-60 serious conditions typically
5Joint policies available for couples
6Can be decreasing or level cover

Eligibility Criteria

Standard health declaration required
Age limits apply (typically 17-65 at start)
Smoker/non-smoker rates differ significantly
Occupation affects premium
Pre-existing conditions may be excluded

Typical Timeframe

Policies can usually be arranged within 1-2 weeks. Medical underwriting may extend this for complex health histories.

Next Steps

1Calculate cover amount needed
2Decide on term length (usually mortgage term)
3Consider decreasing vs level cover
4Compare combined vs separate quotes
5Speak to a protection adviser

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Policy Type	Monthly Cost	Max Claims
Life Insurance Only	£12-18	1 (death)
Critical Illness Only	£35-50	1 (illness)
Combined Life + CI	£40-55	1 (either)
Separate Policies	£47-68	2 (both)

How Does Combined Life and Critical Illness Work?

Key Points

Eligibility Criteria

Typical Timeframe

Next Steps

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