Income Protection vs Critical Illness UK: Which Do You Need?

Income Protection pays a regular monthly income (typically 50-65% of salary) if you cannot work due to illness or injury, until recovery, retirement, or policy end

Critical Illness Cover pays a one-off lump sum if you are diagnosed with a defined serious illness (cancer, heart attack, stroke, etc.)

Income Protection wins on probability - long-term sickness is far more common than serious illness, and most CIC claims are denied for narrow definitions

For working-age people without 12+ months of cash savings, Income Protection is one of the highest-value insurance products available; Critical Illness is largely optional