Life insurance pays the people you name when you die. Critical illness insurance pays you, while you’re alive: a lump sum once you’re diagnosed with a covered condition and the survival period, usually 30 days, has passed. You can buy critical illness insurance on its own, or add it to a life insurance policy as a rider.
What is the difference between life insurance and critical illness insurance?
Reviewed by Garrett Agencies Ltd., October 2026. How we write
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More about critical illness insurance
A lump sum if you’re diagnosed with a serious illness such as cancer, a heart attack or a stroke.
More questions about critical illness insurance
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