Critical illness cover provides a lump sum payment on diagnosis of one of a specified range of critical illnesses or medical conditions. This lump sum can pay for lifestyle adjustments, repaying of debts (ie mortgage), medical treatment or fulfilling an ambition. Typically, the range of illnesses and conditions covered include cancer, heart attack/stroke, total and permanent disability.

This payment is not dependent on the person dying from the illness as medical innovations these days enable many to recover and return to leading fulfilling lives.