A specified illness policy (often known as specified illness cover or critical illness cover) pays a lump sum if you are diagnosed with a specified illness that is covered on the policy, for example a heart attack or cancer.
A specified illness policy differs from life cover or mortgage protection, which provide financial benefits in the event of your death. Instead, a specified illness policy protects you by providing essential financial support with medical bills, travel to and from hospital, extra childcare costs and more. It lets you concentrate on getting better – not paying the bills.