According to recent statistics from Bupa, in the UK, '1 in every 4 people will suffer from a critical illness between the ages of 30 and 60.'

Critical Illness Insurance is designed to pay a tax free lump sum in the event that you are diagnosed with a defined Critical Illness.

The diagnosis of a Critical Illness can be life changing in all respects, least of all financially. When you are first diagnosed with a Critical Illness the last thing you need to be worrying about is your finances, but what would happen to your mortgage and bill payments?

With a payout from your Critical Illness Insurance you could pay off your mortgage, removing the major liability, or choose to put some of your payout towards specialist private care. Whatever you choose to use the pay out for, it will be a weight off your mind when you need some relief most of all.

Like Life Insurance, Critical Illness comes in two main flavours:

• Level Term Critical Illness Insurance: With a level cover the amount you choose to protect is guaranteed to remain the same throughout the policy. It won't reduce over time and if you need to claim on the policy, it will pay out the full level of cover. This type of cover is often used to protect interest only mortgages or loans, or for family protection.



• Decreasing Critical Illness Insurance/Mortgage Critical Illness Insurance: With decreasing or mortgage critical illness insurance, the amount of cover you choose will decrease over time throughout the full term of the policy. This is most suited to Capital and Repayment mortgages, this is not suitable for interest only mortgages.

One of the most important aspects to consider when choosing critical illness insurance is exactly what each policy includes. Each insurance company will offer different Critical Illness definitions with some policies offering more than others. In any case the definitions cover extremely serious conditions such as serious heart attacks, strokes, advanced cancers and major organ transplants. Companies such as Bupa and AXA offer more comprehensive cover than some other companies and also include free childrens cover as an added incentive.

2 Minute Quote offers you the opportunity to get free and instant Critical Illness Insurance quotes and also offers you the chance to speak direct with one of our fully qualified advisors who will be able to discuss Critical Illness with you further. Please feel free to contact us for more help.