Critical illness insurance can be sold as part of a mortgage package or additionally as a stand-alone policy. Critical illness cover can also be commonly associated with life insurance, with certain CIC policies paying out either on the diagnosis of a particular illness or on death, but not both, whilst other CIC policies pay out in both events.

When you first purchase the critical illness insurance policy, there might be an option for buy-back insurance, this would permit you to buy additional critical illness cover or life insurance, typically at a minimal cost, after you have made a claim on your existing CIC policy. Such an option is often worth considering , as the survival rates from a critical illness are usually very good and it can be extremely difficult to obtain new cover following a critical illness. Buy-back critical illness cover usually protects against the three major critical illnesses: heart attack, stroke and cancer from which you are most likely to recover, but also risk an attack later in life.

Bear in mind that when you take out life critical illness insurance, there is a standard waiting period between diagnosis and possible payout, from six months to a year for certain conditions, such as total permanent disability. However, if the diagnosis is very transparent, it is possible that the insurer would consider waiving the waiting period. The maximum payout varies from policy to policy, thought it's not unusual to see capped payouts of £500,000 or £1 million, though cover for higher amounts might be available on request. When the policy is sold as part of a mortgage package, the lump sum is designed to pay off the loan on the home, but with other policies, there may be no restrictions on how you use the money. Suggested uses may encompass covering living expenses whilst you are off work, though the money could additionally pay for private medical treatment, carer services, home

Nearly all critical illness insurance policies cover seven main conditions: cancer, heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, coronary artery bypass, multiple sclerosis and major organ transplant. Policy exclusions in critical illness insurance may include Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease if diagnosed after the age of 60. Don't be seduced by long lists of ailments - as other policies may include these but under a broader heading. It is important to note prior to taking out a policy, that there may be certain exclusions in the insurance contract which may prevent payout due to life choices and circumstances. According to the Association of British Insurers, the most common exclusions include:

* Aviation * Criminal acts * Drug abuse * Failure to follow medical advice * Hazardous sports and pastimes * HIV/AIDS * Living abroad * Self-inflicted injury * War and civil commotion

The consumer organisation estimates that two thirds of the population suffer from a critical illness at some point in their lives. However, whilst the principle of critical illness insurance might be relevant, it is always worth ensuring your policy meets your exact needs, so if the worst happens, you're not caught out by the small print. It's important to shop around for quotes and different policies. Comparison sites such as moneynet and moneysupermarket will allow you to do this.

Resources: http://www.channel4.com/4money/insurance/guides/critical_illness_guide_071003_page1.html (Critical illness insurance guide) http://www.moneynet.co.uk/insurance/critical-illness/index.shtml (Critical illness price comparison research)
About the Author

Rachel lives with her high horse in the Scottish mountains, near Edinburgh. Rachel writes for the personal finance blog Cashzilla: http://www.cashzilla.co.uk