Mortgage advice that doesn't cost the earth
critical illness cover

A lump sum that gives you choices when illness tries to take them away

If you are diagnosed with a life-changing illness such as cancer, there are many ways it can impact you – plus it often comes with unexpected and hidden costs.

Critical illness cover gives you a tax-free lump sum on diagnosis of a serious condition so that you can focus on recovery, not crisis management. We’ll work with you to understand how much cover makes sense, and which insurers are best value to help keep your and your family’s financial life steady if the worst happens.

  • A tax-free lump sum on diagnosis of a serious condition
  • Additional medical, practical and emotional support
  • Honest, independent advice from a whole-of-market broker

Book your free consultation now

critical illness cover provides reassurance

When serious illness turns your life upside down, Critical Illness Cover gives you options

Most of us insure the things we own. Our property, cars, phones, even our holidays. But we’re less likely to insure what really matters – us! If a diagnosis knocks your plans off course, or means a big change in your ability to earn, then it’s highly likely you’ll want the option to take time out, or to make some financial provision for your future, and those who depend on.

Critical illness cover is different from life insurance and income protection. Life insurance pays out if you die during the term of your policy. Income protection pays a monthly income if you can’t work due to illness or injury. Critical illness cover pays a one-off, tax-free lump sum if you’re diagnosed with a serious condition – the top 4 claims are for cancer, heart attack, stroke and multiple sclerosis – but many more conditions are covered.

97% of critical illness claims were paid across the UK insurance industry in 2024. We will help you choose between those providers who cover the most conditions, those who are best able to accommodate advances in medical science, and those with the best additional cover for dependents (among other things). We’ll make sure you can get the best value cover and can rely on the payout when you need it.

Most critical illness policies cover 30 – 40 core conditions, including cancer, heart attack, stroke, organ transplants and multiple sclerosis. Enhanced policies go further, covering 80 conditions or more, including less advanced forms of cancer and conditions like Alzheimer’s. The difference between core and enhanced is worth understanding: more conditions sound like protection, but what matters most is that the definitions are clear and the conditions most likely to affect you are included. We help you choose the right level.

Children’s cover is a common add-on. It pays a lump sum if your child is diagnosed with a critical illness and can be a very cost-effective option to get the whole family protected.

We’ll talk you through what Critical Illness Cover actually does, what it doesn’t, how it fits alongside life insurance or income protection, and how much cover would actually help if you needed it. We recommend based on your situation, not on what pays us the most.

We do not charge a fee for insurance or protection advice, but we may receive a commission if you take out cover arranged through us

How you can benefit with Critical Illness Cover

Lump sum on diagnosis

A tax-free payment that arrives when you need it, to use as you want

Keep your mortgage covered

Use the lump sum to clear debt, reduce work hours, cover bills… or spend it on home improvements and improving your quality of life!

Protection for your family

Reduce the financial shock of serious illness so your family can focus on care, recovery and making the most of life

Core or enhanced definitions

We help you understand the difference and choose cover where the definitions actually match your life

Whole of market

We search across trusted insurers, including ethical mutuals, to find CIC that exactly suits you

No commission-chasing

We recommend the policy we'd recommend to our own family, not the one that pays us the most. And will never use enhanced premiums.

Explore your options and get a quote

A simple conversation is usually all it takes to work out whether critical illness cover is right for you, and how much would make a real difference. There’s no cost for our advice, no pressure, and no obligation. We’ll also consider income protection at the same time.

Book your free consultation

What customers say about us

We invite feedback from everyone we advise, so you can read genuine, unfiltered reviews

Why clients choose WR Ethical for protection

We're on your side

Independent advice, not an insurance company in disguise

No jargon

We explain every term before you sign anything

Ethical by design

B Corp certified, with values woven through every piece of advice we give

We ask the right questions

We'd rather you had the right cover for the long term (rather than us getting a quick sale)

Real people

A small Bristol team you'll actually get to know – no passing around different departments

No hidden fees

We don't charge for insurance or protection advice, ever

Meet the team who'll look after you

Friendly, experienced and based in Bristol.

Mark

Mark

Mark helps mortgage customers protect their homes and families with clear, accessible advice on life insurance and personal protection.

After an early career in finance in Australia, Mark returned to the UK in 2016 and has continued building his expertise in supporting individuals and families. He takes pride in educating each person about the best options available, no matter how complex their circumstances or medical history. He’s committed to going the extra mile to find the right cover.

When Mark’s not working, he really enjoys cooking and travelling, though most of his free time is now happily spent with his energetic daughter attending tea parties and reading her favourite books.

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Paul

Paul

Paul founded WR Ethical in 2020 to help people simplify the process of buying a home, and help people do good with their money. To him, doing this feels like a vocation, not a business.

His interest in property began in 2005 when he bought a home in Bristol that needed quite a bit of refurbishment. Around the same time, he joined a church focused on helping the local community (with lots of spare rooms to fill). A wide variety of roles and life experiences since then led him to start WR Ethical, combining his passion for property with a commitment to doing things differently.

When not thinking about helping others to buy a home, you can find Paul spending time with his family, running, cycling, walking the dog and baking.

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Matt

Matt

Matt joined WR Ethical in 2026, bringing eight years of experience working with a diverse range of clients within a small financial adviser’s practice. He particularly enjoys helping families and first-time buyers achieve their goals, guiding them through the home-buying process and doing everything he can to turn it from a potentially stressful time into an enjoyable life milestone.

Based in Yatton, Matt has existing clients all around the North Somerset area and beyond, broadening WR Ethical’s reach across the South West.

Outside of work, Matt prioritises quality time with his family, but always has a personal endurance challenge to train for. When time allows, he gets out running, cycling or hiking as much as he can.

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Conor

Conor

Conor loves guiding first time buyers and movers through one of life’s biggest financial decisions, making the process as clear and stress-free as possible.

After building his mortgage advice experience at another Bristol firm, Conor joined WR Ethical in 2025. Prior to moving into financial services, he worked in healthcare, including time as an emergency care attendant with the ambulance service. That experience taught him how to support people through challenging moments with calm, clarity and care – skills he continues to bring to his mortgage advice today.

Outside of work, Conor is a keen kickboxer who enjoys the discipline and focus the sport brings. At home, he mostly enjoys spending time with his young family, but you’ll also find him playing padel and tennis when time allows.

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Darryl

Darryl

Darryl has been helping people with their mortgages for over 20 years. He’s worked with people from all walks of life – from those buying a first home, through remortgaging and moving home, to exploring later life lending such as equity release. His extensive knowledge of lenders and their criteria means he can quickly find just the right option for you.

He joined WR Ethical in 2025 and believes mortgage advice should always be clear and easy to understand, so you feel confident to make informed choices.

When he’s not working, Darryl is raising four children, who keep life busy and fun. He also loves cooking, getting lost in a good book, and travelling whenever possible.

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Lorna

Lorna

Lorna joined WR Ethical in 2025 as an administrator and quickly made the move to qualify as an adviser, where her organisational skills and genuine love of helping people have found a natural home.

Before mortgages, Lorna spent three years in the theatre industry. It was her own house-buying experience that drew her toward the mortgage world — and she hasn’t looked back since.

Outside of work, she loves spending time with her family and keeping active, whether at the gym or out on a long walk.

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Jess

Jess

Jess has been helping people find a home since 2014. She’s the most organised member of the team and is brilliant at working through lots of detail to make sure your mortgage application goes as smoothly as possible, keeping track of an extraordinary number of different things at the same time.

Before pursuing her interest in mortgages and joining WR Ethical in 2022, Jess worked in a lettings agency, supporting mostly students and landlords. That experience gave her a solid understanding of the property world from multiple angles.

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FAQs

We answer some of the common questions asked about Critical Illness Cover

Still have questions?

Contact us and our team will help you get the answers you need

Get answers

It’s an insurance policy that pays you a one-off, tax-free lump sum as soon as you’re diagnosed with a serious condition like cancer, heart attack or stroke. You don’t have to wait to be unable to work or go through a lengthy claims process. The diagnosis itself triggers the payout. The amount you receive is entirely up to you – you decide how much cover you want at the start.

Life insurance pays a lump sum when you die, to help your family live on without you. Critical illness cover pays a lump sum when you’re diagnosed with a serious condition, while you’re alive. It’s not about replacing income or covering funeral costs. It’s about giving you financial breathing room during recovery. Many people have both.

Income protection pays a monthly income if you can’t work due to illness, injury or mental health conditions. Critical illness cover pays a one-off lump sum on diagnosis of a specific serious condition, whether or not you’re unable to work. Income protection replaces your salary; critical illness cover gives you a pot of money to use as you need. Many people have both policies.

Core policies cover around 35 conditions, including cancer, heart attack, stroke, organ transplants, multiple sclerosis and permanent loss of sight or hearing. Enhanced policies cover 80 or more conditions, including less advanced forms of cancer, early-stage Alzheimer’s disease and other conditions. The exact list varies by insurer, which is why the definitions matter as much as the number.

Core definitions cover the conditions most likely to affect the UK population. Enhanced definitions expand the list and include less severe versions of some conditions. Enhanced doesn’t automatically mean “better”, it depends on your health and your family history. We help you choose based on what actually matters for your situation, not just the highest number of conditions.

Yes. Many insurers offer child critical illness cover as a rider to your own policy. It typically pays £10,000 to £25,000 per child if diagnosed with a serious illness and is often just a couple of pounds. It’s reassuring for parents who want their whole family protected, though not compulsory.

Don’t assume you can’t get cover. Many pre-existing conditions are accepted with standard terms or with a higher premium. Some may be excluded from the policy. We’ll ask the right questions, find insurers likely to offer you cover, and explain any terms they propose. Honesty matters – non-disclosure is a common reason for claims to be declined.

That depends on your mortgage, your family situation, your essential outgoings and what would actually help you if serious illness struck. Some people want £50,000; others want £250,000. There’s no right answer. We’ll talk you through scenarios and help you choose a figure that feels realistic, helpful and affordable.

If you’re diagnosed with a condition covered by the policy and meet the insurer’s definition, we’ll help you submit a claim with medical evidence. The insurer will assess it and, if approved, pay the lump sum directly into your bank account. Most claims are paid quickly. The vast majority of valid claims are paid – 98% of all new protection claims were paid across the UK insurance industry in 2024 (ABI).

Yes. Most policies let you increase your cover when your circumstances change, for example if you get a pay rise, take on a bigger mortgage, have a child or want to add children’s cover. We stay in touch so your cover keeps pace with your life.

Premiums depend on your age, health, occupation, how much cover you want and which insurer you choose. For many people, the monthly cost is surprisingly affordable. A 40-year-old non-smoker in good health might pay £30 to £50 a month for £100,000 of cover. We’ll give you real quotes based on your situation during the free consultation.

Book a free consultation online, or call us on 0117 4039430. We’ll have a proper conversation about your situation, your priorities and any concerns. If critical illness cover is right for you, we’ll explain your options. If it’s not, we’ll tell you that too.

Still have questions?

Contact us and our team will help you get the answers you need

Get answers
We do not charge a fee for insurance or protection advice, but we may receive a commission if you take out cover arranged through us

Let's find out if critical illness cover is right for you

A serious diagnosis changes life in moments. Our job is to make sure you have breathing room if it happens. One conversation is all it takes to find out where you stand and whether critical illness cover could help.

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