PROTECTION GUIDES
Children's critical illness cover
If your child became seriously ill, your focus would be on them. Children's cover can help with the costs that come with it.
The short answer
Children's critical illness cover pays a lump sum if a child covered by the policy is diagnosed with a qualifying condition. Many adult critical illness policies include it automatically, usually paying a proportion of the parent's cover up to a set limit, and some insurers offer enhanced children's cover for an additional premium.
Age ranges, limits and exclusions vary by insurer, so the children's terms are worth comparing alongside your own cover.
What a child's serious illness can mean for a family
When a child is seriously ill, one or both parents often need time away from work to be at hospital appointments, stay with them during treatment and care for them at home. Not every employer offers paid leave for this, and time off can stretch over months.
Extra costs can build up at the same time, for example:
- •Travel to specialist hospitals, which may be some distance from home
- •Parking, meals and accommodation during hospital stays
- •Childcare for brothers and sisters
- •Adaptations to the home or equipment to help with day-to-day care
A lump sum can help a family meet those costs and allow a parent to take time off without worrying about the household bills.
How children's cover is usually provided
Included with a parent's policy
Many adult critical illness policies include children's cover automatically at no extra cost. It usually pays a proportion of the adult's cover, up to a maximum set by the insurer, if a covered child meets one of the policy's definitions. On many policies a children's claim does not reduce the parent's own cover, though this varies.
Enhanced children's cover
Some insurers offer enhanced children's cover as an optional extra for an additional premium. This may pay a higher amount, cover more conditions, or include additional benefits. What is included varies considerably between insurers.
Our critical illness cover page explains how the adult policy that children's benefits sit within works.
Who it suits, and when it may not be needed
Who it can suit
- •Parents who are already considering critical illness cover for themselves
- •Families who could not easily manage time off work to care for a child
- •Parents who want to compare the children's benefits across policies, not just the adult cover
When it may not be needed
- •Your existing critical illness policy already includes children's cover you are happy with
- •Savings would cover time off and extra costs comfortably
- •Your priority is protecting your own income or mortgage, and the budget does not stretch to enhanced options
Eligibility, limits and what affects the cost
Children's cover differs between insurers in several ways:
- •Age range: cover often starts shortly after birth and runs to 18, or older if the child is in full-time education.
- •Amount: usually a proportion of the adult cover, up to a set limit, with higher amounts available under some enhanced options.
- •Conditions covered: the list and the definitions for children can differ from the adult cover.
- •Who counts as a child: some policies include stepchildren, adopted children or children born after the policy starts.
- •Number of claims: some policies limit claims per child or across the policy.
Standard children's cover usually adds nothing to the premium. Enhanced cover does, and the cost depends on the insurer and the level of benefit chosen. We compare these features alongside the price of your own cover.
Limitations to be aware of
As with adult cover, children's critical illness benefit pays only when the policy's definition is met, subject to the policy terms. A child may be seriously unwell without meeting a definition.
Worth knowing
If you are thinking of changing an existing policy, our guide to reviewing your existing protection explains what to check first.
Next steps
If you already have critical illness cover, check the children's section of the policy document for the age range, amount and exclusions. If you are arranging new cover, ask to see the children's benefits alongside the adult cover when comparing insurers. We can go through both with you.
Talk to us about cover for your family
We can check what children's cover your existing policy includes, and compare the children's benefits offered with new critical illness cover. There is no fee for our advice.
How CoverLife can help
CoverLife Insurance gives personalised protection advice, with a dedicated adviser for your application and ongoing support. We have access to a panel of 15 protection insurers, with availability varying by product and circumstances, and we compare benefits and terms alongside price. We also help with policy reviews and with applications involving medical conditions, unusual occupations or hazardous hobbies.
We charge no advice or arrangement fee; we receive commission from the insurer. CoverLife Insurance is a trading name of CoverTrade Risk Management Ltd, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, firm reference number 1020148. More about CoverLife
Related guides
The questions people usually ask next.
- Why consider critical illness cover?Children's benefits usually come with your own critical illness policy, so start there.
- Life insurance for parentsProtecting your children if something happens to you.
- Review your existing protectionCheck whether a policy you already hold includes children's cover.
- Critical illness coverHow adult critical illness policies work, including definitions and partial payments.
Common questions
Can I buy a separate critical illness policy for my child?+
Children's critical illness cover is usually provided as part of a parent's policy rather than as a standalone policy for the child. It may be included automatically, or offered as an optional enhanced benefit for an additional premium, depending on the insurer.
Does a claim for my child reduce my own cover?+
On many policies it does not, but this varies by insurer. Check the policy terms to see whether a children's claim reduces or ends the adult cover, and how many children's claims can be made.
What ages are covered?+
Age ranges vary by insurer. Cover often starts shortly after birth and runs to age 18, or older if the child is in full-time education. Check the ages set out in the policy.
Are conditions my child was born with covered?+
Often not. Conditions present at birth, or that were diagnosed or showed symptoms before the cover started, may be excluded. The exact wording varies, so it is worth reading the children's section of the policy carefully.
Is children's cover included if I only have life insurance?+
Children's critical illness benefit is usually attached to critical illness cover, so a life-only policy may not include it. Some life policies include other children's benefits. We can check what your existing policy provides.