Critical illness cover or serious illness cover pays a tax-free lump sum if you are diagnosed and continue living with a defined illness, or have to undergo certain surgical procedures. The list of conditions includes heart attacks, strokes, brain tumours, a range of cancers and degenerative diseases such as Parkinson's. Critical illness does not cover mental health issues or musculoskeletal disorders but cover for these conditions are available with income protection plans.
Critical illness benefits for children are automatically included with most providers but with newer policies, there is more flexibility to remove this cover or increase the scope of it, depending on your personal circumstances and the insurer.