Critical illness cover
Your own cover, which usually includes your children at no extra cost.
Suits: Parents and parents-to-be
Cover for the little ones
Children’s critical illness cover
A lump sum if your child is diagnosed with a serious illness, so you can take time off to be with them. It usually comes free with your own critical illness cover.
A few minutes online. No sales calls, and no fee from us.
How children get covered.
There’s rarely a separate policy for a child. The cover comes with yours.
Which children are covered? Usually your children, stepchildren and adopted children, from a few weeks old until 18, or a little older if they’re in full-time education. The ages differ between insurers, so check the policy. Not sure? Ask us.
Life insurance
Add critical illness cover to a life policy, and the children’s benefit usually comes too.
Suits: Families with a mortgage or bills
Joint life
One policy for two parents, often with the children covered as well.
Suits: Couples raising a family
Family income benefit
A monthly income for the family, if a parent dies during the term.
Suits: Young families on a budget
Why compare it through Croaked?
Not all children’s cover is equal. Insurers pay different amounts and cover different conditions. We show you where they differ.
No fee from us. The insurer pays us if you take a policy. It doesn’t add to your premium.
No sales calls, ever. Do it all online. Call us only if you want to.
Cover from names you know.
Compare a panel of recognised UK insurers through one clear, straightforward application.
What’s covered, and what isn’t.
The short version. Your policy documents have every detail, and we’ll go through them with you.
Usually covered
- The serious illnesses listed for children in your policy
- A payment that’s part of your own cover, up to a limit
- Extra benefits on some policies, such as help while your child is in hospital
Usually not covered
- Conditions your child was born with, or had symptoms of before they were covered
- Children above the policy’s age limit
- More than one claim for the same child, on most policies
A children’s claim usually doesn’t reduce your own cover. What’s covered depends on the policy and the insurer.
How it works.
You don’t apply for your children. You apply for yourself, and they come along.
- Step 1
Get critical illness cover.
Tell us about you and the cover you want. It takes a few minutes, online.
Step 2Compare the children’s cover.
See what each policy pays for children, and for which conditions, side by side.
Step 3Your children are covered.
Once your policy starts, your children are usually covered too, including any born later.
Children’s cover questions.
Short answers to what parents ask most.
Does it cost extra?
Usually not: most adult critical illness policies include children’s cover for free. Some insurers offer enhanced children’s cover, with higher payouts, for an extra cost.
How much does it pay?
Usually a share of your own cover, up to a set limit. The amounts differ between insurers, which is one reason to compare.
Can I buy a policy just for my child?
Usually not. Children’s critical illness cover comes as part of a parent’s policy.
Are children born after I buy covered?
On most policies, yes, once they reach the minimum age the insurer sets. You don’t usually need to tell the insurer.
Does claiming for my child reduce my cover?
Usually not. A children’s payment is normally on top of your own cover. Check your policy to be sure.
If we both have cover, can we both claim?
Often only once per child, even if both parents have policies with the same insurer. Rules differ between insurers.
Already have a policy?
Your children may already be covered: check your policy documents for “children’s cover”. For a claim, call your insurer. If you arranged it through us, call us on 01302 590 852 and we’ll help.
For a claim, it helps to have:
- The policy number
- Your child’s date of birth
- The date of the diagnosis and the specialist’s details
- Bank details for the payment
Claim through the insurer
Their claims number is in the policy documents. They’ll ask your child’s doctors for the medical detail, so you don’t have to.
Ask us to help
Can’t find the policy, or the insurer? Call us on 01302 590 852 and we’ll find it with you.
Still need support?
Ask a real person anything about covering your children. Nobody will try to sell you anything, and there’s no fee from us.
Monday–Thursday 9am–7pm, Friday 9am–3pm
