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• Critical Illness
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Critical Illness

What is usually covered by Critical Illness cover?

Insurance companies differ in what they include within their Critical Illness policies, so it's best to check and compare different policies before making a decision. However, as a general guideline, the following conditions will apply. These are divided into two groups - core (most likely to occur) and additional (less likely, but still covered):

Core conditions

• Cancer
• Coronary artery bypass surgery
• Heart attack
• Kidney failure
• Major organ transplant
• Multiple sclerosis
• Stroke

Additional conditions

• Aorta graft surgery
• Heart valve replacement or repair
• Benign brain tumour
• Blindness
• Coma
• Deafness
• Limb loss
• Motor neurone disease
• Paralysis
• Paraplegia
• Parkinson's Disease
• Speech loss
• Terminal illness
• Third degree burns
• Total permanent disability
• CJD
• Alzheimer's
• HIV from blood transfusion, occupational accident, physical assault

What is usually excluded from Critical Illness cover?

Again, policy exclusions vary from company to company, so check and compare different policy literature carefully first. However, as a general rule, illness or injury as a consequence of the following are likely to be excluded:

• Aviation
• Criminal acts
• Drug abuse
• Failure to follow medical advice
• Hazardous sports and pastimes
• HIV/AIDS
• Living abroad
• Self-inflicted injury
• War and civil commotion

Differentiating Critical Illness cover from other policies

Whilst Critical Illness Cover protects you financially from the consequences of illness by paying out a lump sum, it's important to distinguish Critical Illness from two entirely different and separate forms of cover:

Private Medical Insurance

This pays only for the cost of private medical treatment if you should become ill.

Income Protection Insurance

If you are unable to work due to sickness or accident, Income Protection Insurance pays you a regular monthly sum by way of income replacement. The period of payment lasts either until you return to work or when the policy ends.