So how important are the policies?

The insurance industry says they are vital. ‘A forty year-old man has a one in five chance of contracting a critical illness before reaching retirement,’ says Ian Jefferies of Friends Provident, while other experts make the case even more starkly. ‘One of the truly shocking statistics of modern life is that one in three of us will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in our lives,’ says Fiona Jackson of Co-operative Insurance. Critical illness insurance should mean that we don’t have to worry about money if the worst happens to us. ‘Ultimately policies are designed to pay out in the event of life changing incidents – so they play an important role in all our overall protection needs,’ says Mick James of Standard Life. The experts say that critical illness is an ideal policy to have running alongside traditional life insurance. That pays out if the worst happens and we die. Critical illness pays out if we survive.



Children to be Covered for Critical Illness

Norwich Union are to add to all their critical illness policies, immediately, cover for children, adopted and step children between l and 18 years, of the policyholder.

The cover provides benefit of £10,000 or half the sum insured whichever is the lowest for each child on an adult policy. Cover will continue even if a claim is made giving continued family cover and assurance.

Norwich Union say they are always trying to find the best services for customers and hope this will give peace of mind at what is a traumatic time.

Policy advisers consider it a good product and would like to see other providers doing the same.