Before deciding to take out
critical illness insurance and more importantly which provide to go with, there are a number of factors you should first take into consideration. Unlike life insurance, where the policies companies offer are very similar, critical illness cover differs between each provider. With this in mind the cheapest policy is therefore not always the best value for money.
All insurance providers should provide basic cover for core illnesses such as heart attacks, strokes and some forms of advanced cancers. Some companies also offer additional illness including Parkinson"s disease or Severe Lung disease. All companies will provide a key features document that details the list of critical illnesses that they coverer. It is important that you read and fully understand the terms and conditions of the policy so that, in the event that you do need to claim, it will not be rejected on a technicality.
Some plans, also include a death benefit, which will pay out once, either on death or in the event of a critical illness; however it will not pay out for both. Having a death benefit included in a policy may be an advantage if you do not already have traditional life insurance. In general though, it is better to take life insurance and critical illness insurance out as a package. It most cases the premiums will work out the same if not cheaper by taking your cover as a package rather than stand alone insurance. In addition to this it will also cover you for every possible eventuality.
The premiums on Critical illness cover can be considerably higher than traditional life insurance so when choosing a company, applicants should maybe consider taking a lower amount of critical illness cover alongside basic life insurance. This will still provide you with some protection whilst helping you to keep your premiums down.
All insurance premiums are based on the term required, the overall cover amount and the risk associated with the insured; you should pay careful attention to all of these areas. Additionally before choosing an insurer you should asses your cash flow situation and exactly how much cover you will need to cover all your debts.
Joint policies are also available as are a product called waiver plans which will pay for the premium if you unable to.
If you have any pre-existing medical conditions or if you have suffered from any medical conditions in the past then it is vital that you seek independent advice before choosing an insurance policy. Doing so will enable you to effectively compare quotes and help get the best deal for your condition. Similarly for those who are classed as overweight, which will make it harder to get cover, using a specialist advisor will enable you to find a better deal.
When selecting
critical illness insurance, using an advisor can be one of the most effective ways to get more comprehensive cover as well as helping to reduce your premiums. An advisor is often able to suggest options that are not available directly online. They can also suggest better ways to organise your cover then you maybe would have considered yourself. Using an advisor will also ensure that all your paperwork is correct and may prevent you from being caught out by non-disclosure in the future. It is important to remember that no two insurance polices are the same, advisors are an affective way of getting a tailor made policy, fit for your purpose.
