Critical Illness Insurance
Get a tax‑free lump sum if you’re diagnosed with a serious illness, with expert advice and access to leading Irish insurers through Howden.
Why choose Howden for critical illness insurance?
As an insurance broker, we at Howden pride ourselves on doing the heavy lifting, so you don’t have to. Thanks to the great relationships we have with our selected panel of insurers, we make the process of comparing multiple critical illness insurance policies, on your behalf, simple and straightforward.
Our team also know that each policy needs to be as individual as its owner, and that’s why we provide a personalised service, focused on getting to know you and family, whilst also finding out exactly what you want from your insurance.
Ultimately, just know that whether you need to make a claim, purchase a new policy, or renew an existing one, we’re here to help.
Benefits of working with Howden:
Get a one-off payment that you can use for anything, from medical costs to everyday expenses.
Policies typically cover major conditions like cancer, heart attack, and stroke, plus a wide range of others.
Some policies also cover less severe or early-stage illnesses with partial payments.
Use the payout however you need - There are no restrictions on how the money is spent.
Flexible cover to suit your needs - Choose standalone cover or combine it with life insurance for added protection.
What is critical illness or serious illness cover?
Critical illness insurance, also known as serious illness or specified illness cover, pays out a tax-free lump sum if you are diagnosed with a serious condition covered by your policy.
Unlike income protection, which pays a monthly income, or life insurance, which pays on death, this cover gives you a one-off payment while you are alive and diagnosed with a serious illness. The aim is to reduce financial pressure so you can focus on recovery rather than worrying about money.
How does critical illness insurance work?
Critical illness insurance pays out once a qualifying illness is diagnosed and confirmed under your policy.
How is the payout triggered?
A payout is triggered when you are diagnosed with a serious illness listed in your policy and the condition meets the insurer’s specific definitions. This means the claim is based not only on the diagnosis itself, but also on the severity and criteria set out in the policy terms and conditions.
How much can you receive?
The amount you receive is a fixed lump sum chosen when you take out the policy. This is usually based on your financial needs, such as your mortgage, income level, or other ongoing commitments, so the payout can provide meaningful support if you are diagnosed with a serious illness.
What happens after a claim?
Once a claim is paid, the policy typically ends if it is standalone cover. If the policy combined with life insurance, the serious illness payout may reduce the remaining life cover, meaning a smaller amount may be paid out later on death, this depends on your policy terms and conditions.
What illnesses are covered?
Critical illness insurance is designed to cover a list of serious medical conditions.
Core conditions covered
Most policies include a variety of serious illnesses, such as cancer, heart attack, and stroke.
Wide range of illnesses
In addition to core illnesses, most plans also cover a broader range of serious conditions. This can include illnesses such
Alzheimer’s disease
Parkinson’s disease
Multiple sclerosis
Major organ transplant
Kidney failure
Full and partial payouts
A policy will usually pay the full lump sum when you are diagnosed with a covered illness that meets the policy's claim definition. Some policies also provide partial payments for certain early-stage conditions, less advanced illnesses, or specific medical procedures covered under the plan. This means you may be able to claim a benefit in a wider range of circumstances, depending on the policy and how the condition is defined.
Wider coverage can be a key difference between policies and is something we can help you compare.
How much critical illness cover do you need?
The level of cover you choose should reflect your financial responsibilities.
Many people base their cover on:
Mortgage or rent commitments
Household expenses
Income replacement needs
Our advisors will carry out a full review of your circumstances and financial commitments to help you choose a level of cover that suits your needs.
How much does critical illness insurance cost?
The cost depends on several factors.
Your age: Premiums are lower when you are younger, as the risk of serious illness increases over time.
Your health and lifestyle: Medical history and smoking status can affect pricing and terms.
The cover amount: Higher cover levels increase premiums.
Policy term: Longer-term cover typically costs more.
Overall, critical illness cover is flexible, and policies can be structured to suit different budgets.
Choosing between standalone and combined cover
You can set up critical illness insurance in different ways depending on your needs, budget, and how you want your cover to work alongside other protection.
Standalone critical illness cover
This option is designed purely to protect against critical illness. It pays out a tax-free lump sum only if you are diagnosed with a condition covered by the policy. Because it is separate from life insurance, it remains unaffected by any other claims and can be focused entirely on providing financial support during recovery.
Critical illness cover combined with life insurance
This option combines both types of protection into one policy. It will pay out if you are diagnosed with a critical illness or if you pass away during the term. If a critical illness claim is made first, the payout is taken from the total cover amount, which means the remaining life cover is reduced. This is often referred to as “accelerated” cover.
Why this choice matters
The right option depends on your priorities. Standalone cover can give you more dedicated protection for illness, while combined cover can be a more cost-effective way to protect both you and your family under one policy. Choosing the right structure is important, and it’s something we can help you compare across different providers.
What is not covered under a specified illness cover?
Critical illness cover is designed for specific medical events and has clear limitations.
It does not typically cover:
Redundancy or job loss
General income replacement
Non-medical events
Cover is based on diagnosis and policy definitions, not general inability to work.
What is not covered under a specified illness cover? Critical illness cover is designed for specific medical events and has clear limitations.
Why choose Howden for critical illness cover?
As a broker, we at Howden act on your behalf to help you find the right cover.
We:
Compare policies from leading Irish insurers
Explain differences in cover and definitions
Help you choose the right level of protection
Provide ongoing advice and support
We focus on giving you clear, expert guidance rather than a one-size-fits-all product.
Note: This is a marketing article from Howden. The information in this guide is accurate at time of publication. This content is provided for general information only and does not constitute financial or insurance advice. If you have any questions about making a claim or want to understand how critical illness cover could work for you, call us on 0818 024 102 and we'll be happy to help.
Expect nothing less than a specialist health insurance delivered by industry experts.
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Life can be unpredictable, but we can make sure you have the right life cover in place so that you can ensure you are protecting your loved ones.