A popular addition to life insurance, critical illness cover works in a similar way to life cover but will pay out on the diagnosis of certain illnesses. Cover for cancers, heart attacks and strokes are common within cover along with a wide range of other critical illnesses. The cover can provide much needed financial support in such events as often conditions can stop you from working and earning the money to afford the mortgage and/or bills. (Please note that in most instances, a policy will only pay out once on a joint policy and cease at this point)