A lump sum if you are diagnosed with a covered serious illness.
Critical illness insurance pays a lump sum if you are diagnosed with one of the serious conditions the policy lists, such as cancer, heart attack or stroke. You can spend it on treatment, debts or living costs. It is optional, often added to life cover. Compare the list of covered conditions, the survival period and the exclusions.
The points that decide whether the cover is worth it.
The list varies a lot. More is not always better, the severity wording matters.
You must usually survive a set number of days after diagnosis to claim.
Often added to a life policy, sometimes as accelerated cover.
Pre-existing conditions and non-disclosure are the main claim risks.
It pays a lump sum on diagnosis of a serious condition named in the policy, commonly cancer, heart attack and stroke, with many insurers covering more. The exact list and the severity definitions decide what actually pays.
No. Health insurance pays for medical treatment. Critical illness pays you a cash lump sum on diagnosis that you can use for anything, including income while you recover.
Common reasons are a condition not on the policy list, a diagnosis that does not meet the policy's severity definition, the survival period not met, or non-disclosure at application. Honest disclosure protects the claim.
The number of conditions matters less than the severity wording. Compare carefully.
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