Critical Illness Cover Calculator
Estimate critical illness insurance premiums by age, cover amount, term and smoker status.
Last updated: April 2026 · Source: MoneyHelper — Critical illness insurance
Estimated Monthly Premium
£36.00
£432.00/year for £200,000.00 cover
Total Premiums (25 years)
£10,800.00
Cover Amount
£200,000.00
Critical illness cover pays a lump sum if diagnosed with a specified condition (cancer, heart attack, stroke etc.). Premiums increase significantly with age and for smokers. Compare quotes from multiple providers.
Disclaimer
This calculator is provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial or tax advice. All calculations are performed locally in your browser — no personal data is collected or sent to our servers. Rates and thresholds are sourced from HMRC and GOV.UK and are updated for the current tax year. Always verify results with HMRC or consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions.
How It Works
Critical illness insurance pays a tax-free lump sum if you are diagnosed with a specified serious illness such as cancer, heart attack, stroke or multiple sclerosis. Most policies cover 40-60 named conditions plus additional partial-payment conditions. The payout is typically used to clear a mortgage, fund treatment or provide a financial buffer during recovery.
The amount of cover needed depends on your circumstances. Common approaches include: mortgage balance only (to clear the biggest debt), mortgage plus 2-3 years' income (to cover recovery time), or a comprehensive amount covering all major financial commitments. Average UK claims are around £60,000-£80,000.
Premiums are based on age, health, family medical history, smoker status and the level of cover. Critical illness cover is significantly more expensive than life insurance because the probability of claiming is higher. Combining CI with life insurance (a life-or-earlier-CI policy) can reduce costs.
Example: Age 40, non-smoker, £200,000 cover, 20-year term
- Mortgage balance: £180,000
- Emergency fund buffer: £20,000
- Total cover: £200,000
- Estimated monthly premium: £80-£120
- Annual cost: £960-£1,440
- Combined with life insurance: ~£100-£140/month
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does the Critical Illness Cover Calculator do?
- Estimate critical illness insurance premiums by age, cover amount, term and smoker status. All calculations are performed in your browser using official UK rates and thresholds.
- Are these actual quotes?
- No. This calculator provides estimates based on typical UK insurance factors. Actual premiums depend on your specific circumstances. Always compare quotes from multiple insurers.
- Is insurance required by law?
- Some insurance is legally required in the UK — such as motor insurance, employers' liability insurance and buildings insurance (if you have a mortgage). Other types are optional but strongly recommended.