Critical illness insurance is a type of insurance that pays out a lump sum benefit if you are diagnosed with a covered critical illness. It is designed to help you and your family cope with the financial burden of a serious illness, such as cancer, heart attack, or stroke. This could cover things like lost income due to being unable to work, expenses not covered by health insurance & lifestyle changes due to having such an illness.
Critical illness insurance is not a replacement for health insurance. Health insurance pays for your medical expenses, while critical illness insurance pays you a lump sum that you can use for any purpose, such as paying for living expenses, debt, or fitting out a house with equipment & travel to get treatment.
Who should consider critical illness insurance?
Critical illness insurance is a good option for anyone who is concerned about the financial impact of a serious illness. It is especially important for people who have a family history of critical illnesses, or who have a job that requires them to be in good health.
Critical illness insurance is also a good option for people who are:
Self-employed and do not have access to employer-sponsored health insurance
Have a high deductible or out-of-pocket expenses on their health insurance plan
Have a family to support
Have significant debt, such as a mortgage or student loans
What does critical illness insurance cover?
The specific illnesses covered by critical illness insurance vary from policy to policy. However, most policies cover the following common illnesses:
Cancer
Heart attack
Stroke
Organ failure
Paralysis
Multiple sclerosis
Parkinson's disease
Alzheimer's disease
Traumatic brain injury
How does critical illness insurance work?
When you purchase a critical illness insurance policy, you will choose a benefit amount. This is the amount of money that will be paid to you if you are diagnosed with a covered illness.
You will also need to choose a waiting period. This is the amount of time that must pass between the time you purchase the policy and the time you can file a claim. Waiting periods typically range from 30 days to one year.
Once you have purchased a policy and served the waiting period, you are eligible to file a claim if you are diagnosed with a covered illness. To file a claim, you will need to submit a copy of your medical records to your insurance company.
If your claim is approved, your insurance company will pay you the benefit amount tax-free. You can use the money for any purpose, such as paying for medical expenses, debt, or travel to get treatment.
Learn how international life insurance works.
How much does critical illness insurance cost?
The cost of critical illness insurance depends on a number of factors, including your age, health, and the amount of coverage you choose. However, it is generally more affordable than life insurance.
For example, a 30-year-old male in good health can expect to pay around $20 per month for a $100,000 critical illness insurance policy. A 50-year-old male in good health can expect to pay around $50 per month for a $100,000 critical illness insurance policy.
How to choose a critical illness insurance policy
When choosing a critical illness insurance policy, there are a few things to keep in mind:
Coverage: Make sure the policy covers the illnesses that you are most concerned about.
Benefit amount: Choose a benefit amount that is large enough to meet your financial needs.
Waiting period: Choose a waiting period that you are comfortable with.
Cost: Compare the cost of different policies before you choose one.
You should also work with a licensed financial advisor to help you choose the right policy for your needs.
Benefits of critical illness insurance
Critical illness insurance can provide a number of benefits, including:
Peace of mind: Knowing that you have critical illness insurance can give you peace of mind knowing that you and your family will be financially protected if you are diagnosed with a serious illness.
Financial flexibility: The lump sum benefit from critical illness insurance can be used for any purpose, such as paying for medical expenses, debt, or travel to get treatment.
Tax-free benefit: The benefit from critical illness insurance is paid to you tax-free, so you can keep all of the money.
Conclusion
Critical illness insurance can be a valuable tool for protecting yourself and your family from the financial burden of a serious illness. If you are considering purchasing critical illness insurance, be sure to work with a licensed insurance agent to help you choose the right policy for your needs.
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