Critical illness cover
About our critical illness insurance
Choose a better outcome
Our critical illness insurance is about the impact an illness has on your life – not what it’s called.
To make everything as clear as possible, we’ve put over 20 conditions into four impact-based groups:
- Group 1: Degenerative neurological disorders.
- Group 2: Reduced heart function.
- Group 3: Surgery to the heart, aorta or pulmonary artery.
- Group 4: Surgery via the skull.
Excuse – It’ll never happen to me. Probably.
Most of us don’t really want to give much thought to the worst case scenario. Let’s be honest, there are much more fun things to think about. But those things that never happen to you? Well, the truth is every two minutes, someone in the UK gets diagnosed with cancer1. And every five minutes, someone is admitted to hospital with a heart attack2.
Here’s an example
Take the group called Degenerative Neurological Disorders. Okay, so it’s not catchy. But it is a catch-all.
Degenerative neurological disorders tend to affect the neurons in the brain. Alzheimer’s, motor neurone disease (MND) and Parkinson’s are just a few of many examples.
But the group also covers other conditions that have a similar effect – conditions like the less well known Friedreich's ataxia. Some of the symptoms are similar to those experienced by people suffering with MND. So our critical illness cover doesn’t treat Friedreich’s ataxia any differently to MND.
Because it’s the impact that matters, not the name.
Excuse – If things were that bad, my life cover would kick in.
We hope not, because that would mean you were dead. Critical illness insurance pays out when you are diagnosed with an illness that is included in your policy - helping you out financially if you become seriously ill or injured.
Why do groups work better for you?
Grouping conditions together like this gives you broader cover by including related conditions. It means by being diagnosed with an illness in our grouped conditions, you’ll be eligible to receive your payment. Whatever the condition’s called - if it meets the group’s definition, we’ve got your back.
It also means your cover is futureproof. Say a new degenerative neurological condition is discovered tomorrow. Well, our grouped conditions are based on the impact it has on you, so you’re still covered.
Excuse – I’m insured through my work.
Hmm, careful. Not all policies offer the same level of cover. Not all work policies offer the kind of cover that’s right for you and you could lose your cover if you switched jobs. Plus, employers can change the benefits they offer at any time – which is why we think it’s better to be safe than sorry and take out your own cover.
All in all, AIG’s critical illness cover is a lot more flexible.
Our critical illness cover is about giving you choices rather than ticking boxes. By giving you the freedom to personalise your policy to match your needs and budget, you only pay for what you need.
Excuse – Waste of cash.
Insurance is a funny business. You pay for it. And then you hope you never get to use it. But cars do get dented, precious items do get damaged and people do get diagnosed with cancer. So no, you’ll probably never need it. But if you do, it’ll be the best money you’ve ever spent. And it might not cost as much as you think…
Choose flexibility
It’s the insurance equivalent to building your own salad or sandwich.
Our critical illness insurance is built for flexibility. You start with the base, which we call Core Critical Illness. This covers the equivalent of over 45 conditions, plus life cover and terminal illness.
It also includes the top three you’re most likely to claim for: cancer, heart attack, and stroke. In fact, these three alone account for 81% of all our critical illness claims3.
3 AIG claims statistics, 2023
Then just add your toppings, for an additional cost, by selecting any or all of four additional options. (Unlike a salad, you can remove them at any time.)
Excuse – I’m with the Bank of Mum and Dad.
Mum and Dad. Always there when we need them. But after they’ve dedicated so much time and money to bringing you up as well as they clearly have, maybe it’s best to let them off the hook this time?
We think it gives you a lot more flexibility.
If you agree, you can get our cover from a financial adviser or an insurance broker.
Choose value
We aren’t just here to help you if you fall seriously ill. We’re also here to help you look after your everyday health and wellbeing.
That’s why every AIG customer gets free, unlimited access to our award-winning Smart Health service.
Smart Health includes 24/7 telephone and video appointments with a GP, 365 days a year. So if you don’t feel like leafing through last September’s copy of Angler’s Times at your local surgery, you now have a reliable and trusted alternative.
Over 140,000 registrations to date1
Rated 4.7/5.01 (GP service only)
95% of customers would recommend1
Healthy in body
When it comes to your physical wellbeing, we all know the importance of eating well to feel good. Smart Health includes free nutrition consultations to help you get the balance right. And if you want to get more active, you also get access to an online fitness programme.
Healthy in mind
Busy at work, rushing around for the kids, never seeming to have a moment to yourself…every now and then things can get on top of us. Sometimes it’s nice to just press pause, pick up the phone, and let it all out. Our mental health support service* is ready and waiting with a friendly ear and sound advice.
Your partner and any children up to the age of 21 also get access to Smart Health. Oh - and just in case you missed it, it’s all completely free of charge.
Excuse – We have our savings.
That’s great to hear. But savings only go so far when they’re being nibbled away by everyday expenses, especially over a long period of time. Besides, aren’t savings supposed to be for the more fun things in life like a cruise, a car, or even a holiday cottage?
1 Teladoc data, April 2024
Smart Health is provided to AIG Life Limited customers by Teladoc Health. We want to let you know that these services are non-contractual, which means they don’t form part of the insurance contract with us. If our partnership with Teladoc Health ends, these services could be changed or withdrawn in the future.
*The number of mental health sessions will be defined when you first speak to your practitioner.
Information and resources
Critical Illness Choices – key facts
For an overview of YourLife Plan Term Assurance with Critical Illness Choices, visit our key facts.