5 year level term life insurance. Do You Need Critical Illness Cover? - Direct Line

Being diagnosed with a critical illness is a life-changing moment. It’ll probably disrupt your home and work life, and could put a strain on your family’s finances. Critical illness cover.

However, with Direct Line’s Life Insurance with Critical Illness Cover (CIC), provided by Legal & General, you’ll be covered for a range of specific conditions. This means your family remains financially protected during the term of the policy, and could pay out if you’re diagnosed with one of the conditions covered.

Life insurance by itself could only pay out on death or on diagnosis of a terminal illness, so our CIC policy could be a vital add-on for many people.

What is Critical Illness Cover (CIC)?

Many people take out a life insurance policy to protect their family in the event of death. CIC is optional and comes at an extra cost, taken out at the same time as life insurance. It protects those who are diagnosed with one of a number of specific conditions.

It could help provide some financial security as it could pay out a cash lump sum in the event of a valid claim. This money could be used to support you and your family if you’re unable to work because of a specified critical illness or a permanent debilitating injury.

It’s important to note that once the policy ends, so will your cover. So, if you end your Direct Line policy, you’ll no longer be protected.

What are the benefits of CIC?

Adding this cover for an extra cost could be worth considering. And it’s easy to see why:

Helping to protect your family financially: Bills need paying. If you’re unable to work because of a specified critical illness, your family will need money to continue their day-to-day life. Our policy offers you this protection.

Whole life assurance

Premiums stay the same: The cost of your life insurance policy with CIC will remain the same throughout the term, unless you change your policy. You won’t pay more the older you get.

Tax-free lump sum: The lump sum paid when you’re diagnosed with a specified critical illness is tax-free. This could give you and your family greater financial support at a difficult time.

Covers a range of conditions: Direct Line’s CIC could pay out if you’re diagnosed with one of a range of specified critical illnesses. This includes stroke, heart attack, and certain types of cancer.

Direct payment: If you’re eligible for a critical illness payment, this will normally be made directly to you.

Children covered for free: Your children will also be covered for no extra charge. For more details on children’s critical illness cover, please read our policy booklet for terms and conditions.

Which illnesses are included?

There are many illnesses included in Direct Line's cover, and just a few of these are:

Some major organ transplants

Dental insurance

Total and permanent disability

For the full terms and conditions, including any exclusions to the above, please download our policy booklet.

Are there any exemptions?

Not every illness or condition is included within our Critical Illness Cover policy. For example, not all types of cancer are covered and to make a claim for some illnesses you need to have permanent symptoms.

For a list of what is and isn’t covered, read the full terms and conditions by downloading our policy booklet from this page.

How much does a policy cost?

Adding Critical Illness Cover may be less expensive than you think. In 2017 customers who bought our life insurance with CIC paid an average of £27 per month and the average cover was £61,000. As you'd expect, with Direct Line you can choose how much critical illness cover you need to suit your budget.

For a better idea of how much your personal life insurance policy will cost, get a quote from Direct Line.

What can I use the money for?

The lump sum can be used however you wish. For instance, it could pay:

Online life insurance plan

An outstanding mortgage or bills: The cash sum can help you pay off a mortgage, meet your rent, and pay for ongoing utility bills.

Medical expenses: If you have a critical illness, you may want to use some or all of the money to help pay for treatment.

For a holiday: If you’re diagnosed with a critical illness, you might want to book a break away to escape the pressure of the situation.