The Importance of Critical Illness Insurance: 100% Coverage for Cancer, Stroke, Heart Attack, and More
Written by Daniel Ray, Life Insurance Expert | ✅ Fact Checked by 
Lisamarie Monaco | Editorial Disclosure What is a Critical Illness Policy?
A critical illness policy is a type of insurance that pays out a lump sum of money upon the diagnosis of a specified serious illness.
These policies are designed to provide financial support to policyholders and their families during a time of crisis, when they may be unable to work and incur additional expenses for things like medical treatments, transportation, and home modifications.
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What Does a Critical Illness Insurance Policy Cover?
Should I get Critical Illness Insurance?
| Rank | Cause of Death | Average Cost of Treatment Per Year (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heart disease | $20,000 – $100,000+ |
| 2 | Cancer | $50,000 – $150,000+ |
| 3 | COVID-19 | $20,000 – $80,000 (hospitalization) |
| 4 | Accidents (unintentional injuries) | Varies widely: $10,000 – $100,000+ |
| 5 | Stroke | $20,000 – $60,000 |
Here are some explanations:
- Heart Disease: This includes the cost of surgical procedures like angioplasty and bypass surgery, as well as ongoing care for conditions like high blood pressure and heart failure.
- Cancer: This estimate includes the cost of chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, and other treatments for various types of cancer. Costs can vary widely depending on the type and stage of cancer, as well as the specific treatment regimen.
- COVID-19: The estimate for COVID-19 hospitalization cost is an average and does not include the cost of long-term complications or long COVID treatment, which can also be significant.
- Accidents (unintentional injuries): Costs can vary widely depending on the nature of the injury. For example, a simple fracture might cost several thousand dollars to treat, while a serious car accident could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.
- Stroke: This includes the immediate cost of treating a stroke in the hospital, as well as ongoing rehabilitation and medication costs.
Critical illness insurance policies typically cover a range of serious medical conditions, such as cancer, stroke, heart attack, major organ transplant, blindness, paralysis, deafness, and kidney failure.
Some policies also provide coverage for additional conditions, such as coronary artery bypass surgery and coronary angioplasty.
It’s important to carefully review the terms of your policy to understand exactly what is covered, as well as any exclusions or limitations.
Some policies may have a waiting period before coverage begins or may require you to undergo certain medical tests or treatments before you are eligible to receive a payout.
Why is a Critical Illness Insurance Policy Important?
There are several reasons why a critical illness policy can be an important financial safety net for you and your family.
First and foremost, a critical illness policy can provide much-needed financial support during a time of crisis.
If you are diagnosed with a serious illness, you may be unable to work and may incur significant medical expenses.
A critical illness policy can help cover these costs, allowing you to focus on your recovery instead of worrying about how you will pay your bills.
Additionally, a critical illness policy can help to protect your savings and assets.
If you don’t have a critical illness policy and you are diagnosed with a serious illness, you may need to tap into your savings or sell assets to pay for your medical expenses.
This can be especially stressful if you have dependents who are relying on your financial support.
A critical illness policy can help to preserve your savings and assets, so you have a financial cushion to fall back on in the future.
Finally, a critical illness policy can give you peace of mind. Knowing that you have a financial safety net in place can help to alleviate some of the stress and anxiety that can come with a serious illness.
The Cost of a Critical Illness Insurance Policy
The cost of a critical illness policy can vary significantly depending on a number of factors, including your age, health status, and the specifics of the policy you choose.
In general, policies for younger and healthier individuals tend to be less expensive than those for older or less healthy individuals.
Below is the most common coverage amount for Critical Illness Insurance. However, coverage amounts range from $5,000 to $100,000.
| Age | $10,000 | $15,000 | $20,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-34 | $9.88 | $15.33 | $20.77 |
| 35-39 | $13.80 | $21.20 | $28.60 |
| 40-44 | $18.84 | $28.76 | $38.68 |
| 45-49 | $24.12 | $36.68 | $49.23 |
| 50-54 | $30.28 | $45.93 | $61.57 |
| 55-59 | $38.12 | $57.68 | $77.23 |
| 60-64 | $48.52 | $73.28 | $98.03 |
Other factors that can affect the cost of a critical illness policy include the number of covered illnesses, the policy’s benefit amount, and the policy’s deductible.
It’s important to carefully consider these factors and shop around to find the policy that best meets your needs and budget.
Here are our top carriers for Critical Illness Insurance for our clients with Brochure:
- AETNA Critical Illness Plan/Brochure
- Mutual Of Omaha Critical Advantage/Brochure
- Guarantee Trust Life Critical Provider Plus/Brochure
- Assurity Critical Illness Insurance/Brochure
What are the Benefits of a Critical Illness Policy with a 100% Payout on Cancer, Stroke, Heart Attack, and More?
One of the key benefits of a critical illness policy with a 100% payout on cancer, stroke, heart attack, and other serious medical conditions is that it provides comprehensive coverage.
If you are diagnosed with one of these conditions, you will receive a full payout from your policy, which can help to cover your medical expenses and other costs associated with your illness.
Another benefit of a critical illness policy with a 100% payout is that it can give you more flexibility in how you use your payout.
Some policies have restrictions on how you can use your payouts, such as requiring you to use them for medical expenses or other specific purposes.
A policy with a 100% payout gives you the freedom to use your payout however you see fit, whether that means paying for medical bills, making home modifications, or simply covering your living expenses while you are unable to work.
What are the Benefits of a Critical Illness Policy with a 25% Payout for Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery and Coronary Angioplasty?
In addition to coverage for cancer, stroke, heart attack, and other serious medical conditions, some critical illness
policies also provide a 25% payout for coronary artery bypass surgery and coronary angioplasty. These procedures are commonly used to treat coronary artery disease, which is a leading cause of heart attacks.
Having a critical illness policy with coverage for coronary artery bypass surgery and coronary angioplasty can provide additional financial support if you need one of these procedures.
The 25% payout can help to cover the cost of the surgery or procedure, as well as any related medical expenses.
It’s worth noting that a critical illness policy with a 25% payout for coronary artery bypass surgery and coronary angioplasty may not provide as much financial protection as a policy with a 100% payout for more serious medical conditions.
However, it can still be an important safety net for individuals who are at risk for coronary artery disease and may need one of these procedures in the future.
What Are The Disadvantages of Critical Illness Insurance
There are a few potential disadvantages to critical illness insurance that you should be aware of before purchasing a policy.
- Limited coverage: Most critical illness policies only cover a limited number of specific conditions, such as heart attack, stroke, or cancer. If you are diagnosed with an illness that is not covered by your policy, you will not receive any benefits.
- Exclusions: Some critical illness insurance policies may have exclusions or limitations on coverage for certain conditions or treatments. For example, a policy may exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions or for experimental treatments.
- Premium increases: Like other types of insurance, the premiums for critical illness insurance policies may increase over time. This could make the policy more expensive to maintain over the long term.
- Complexity: Critical illness insurance policies can be complex, with a variety of terms and exclusions that may be difficult to understand. It’s important to carefully review the policy and ask questions to ensure that you understand your coverage.
- Limited payout: Depending on the specifics of your policy, you may only receive a limited payout if you are diagnosed with a covered condition. This may not be sufficient to cover all of your medical expenses or lost income.
It’s important to carefully weigh the potential advantages and disadvantages of critical illness insurance before purchasing a policy.
How Do I Choose the Right Critical Illness Insurance Policy?
When shopping for a critical illness policy, it’s important to carefully consider your coverage needs and budget. Here are a few factors to consider:
- Medical conditions covered: Make sure the policy covers the medical conditions that are most relevant to you and your family. If you have a family history of cancer, for example, you may want to look for a policy that provides a 100% payout for cancer.
- Payout amount: Consider the amount of the payout and how it aligns with your coverage needs. A policy with a larger payout may provide more financial protection, but it may also come with a higher premium.
- Exclusions and limitations: Be sure to review the exclusions and limitations of the policy to understand what is and is not covered. Some policies may exclude certain medical conditions or may require you to meet certain criteria before you are eligible for a payout.
- Premiums: Compare premiums from different insurers to find a policy that fits your budget. Keep in mind that cheaper policies may have lower payouts or more exclusions, so it’s important to carefully review the terms of the policy before making a decision.
- The reputation of the insurer: Choose a reputable insurer with strong financial backing. This will ensure that you have a reliable source of support if you need to make a claim.
Conclusion
A critical illness policy can be a valuable financial safety net for individuals and families facing a serious medical condition.
With a 100% payout on cancer, stroke, heart attack, and other serious medical conditions, as well as 25% payout for coronary artery bypass surgery and coronary angioplasty, a critical illness policy can provide much-needed financial support during a time of crisis.
When shopping for a critical illness policy, be sure to carefully consider your coverage needs and budget, and choose a reputable insurer with strong financial backing.
