Can you get cheap critical illness cover?
Yes — but "cheap" should mean "affordable for the cover provided", not "stripped back to the point of being useless". The cheapest policy with the narrowest definitions may save you £5/month but fail to pay out when you actually need it.
What makes CIC cheaper?
- Younger age — buying at 25–35 locks in far lower rates than buying at 45+
- Decreasing cover — cheaper than level cover; suitable if you're primarily protecting a mortgage
- Shorter term — a 15-year policy costs less than a 25-year policy
- Non-smoker status — smokers pay 50–100% more
- Good health — no pre-existing conditions attracts the best rates
- Lower sum assured — £50,000 costs less than £150,000
Which insurers are cheapest for CIC?
Legal & General and Aviva are frequently among the cheapest for standard applicants. However, a 30–40% price variation exists across the market, and the cheapest insurer for a 30-year-old teacher may not be cheapest for a 45-year-old construction worker. Always get personalised quotes.
Core vs comprehensive CIC — is cheaper always worse?
Some insurers offer "core" CIC (covering 5–10 conditions) at a lower price. These are generally not recommended — cancer, heart attack, and stroke alone account for over 80% of claims, but the definitions matter enormously. A cheap policy with poor cancer definitions may not pay for many real-world diagnoses.
How to get the cheapest CIC quote
- Use a whole-of-market comparison tool
- Get quotes for level and decreasing cover
- Compare multiple term lengths
- If you smoke, consider the cost benefit of quitting first
- Don't strip out children's CIC — it's often included free
Frequently Asked Questions
Legal & General and Aviva are often cheapest for standard applicants, but the cheapest for your specific profile depends on age, health, and occupation. Always compare personalised quotes.
Only if the policy definitions are adequate. Always check what conditions are covered and how they're defined — a cheap policy with narrow definitions may not pay out when you need it.