Critical illness insurance can protect you financially if you suffer a serious illness. It provides a tax-free cash payment upon diagnosis of a serious medical condition.
4 key features
- Covers major illnesses – Policies generally cover illnesses such as cancer, heart attack, coronary artery bypass surgery, stroke, blindness, deafness, paralysis, kidney failure and multiple sclerosis.
- Short waiting period – You must survive your illness after diagnosis for a short time period – typically about 15 to 30 days – to receive the payment.
- Paid regardless of ability to work – Unlike disability insurance, the payment is not linked to your inability to return to work.
- Use the money for any purpose – The payment is made in a tax-free lump sum, and you can use the money any way you want.
Survival rates increasing
With improvements in medical treatments, people are recovering from serious illnesses – such as heart attacks, strokes and cancer – that would have been fatal in the past.
For example, according to the Canadian Cancer Society, in the 1940s, only about 25% of people diagnosed with cancer survived. Today, the survival rate is over 60% and higher still for many common cancers, such as thyroid cancer with a survival rate of over 90%.
While the survival statistics are encouraging, a serious illness can still lead to significant additional costs that aren’t covered by our universal healthcare system or employer health plans.
Potential costs of a major illness
- Replacing your lost income
- Moving to a new home or renovating your existing home
- Having a spouse take time off work
- Seeking medical treatment outside Canada
- Hiring a nurse or other caregiver
A living benefit
Critical illness insurance is called a “living benefit” because unlike life insurance, the payout goes to you, the policyholder, rather than a beneficiary. So you decide how the cash can best be used – whether it’s to cover additional costs or provide an extra perk after or during recovery, such as a vacation.
Factor in the cost of recovery
More people are surviving and recovering from serious illnesses – but there can be many additional costs that aren’t covered by our universal healthcare system or employer health plans.
Key point
Policies can differ significantly – so check the conditions and illnesses covered carefully before you buy.
