
Mortgage critical illness cover is a type of insurance that can help protect your home and family in the event of a serious illness or injury.
This cover can provide a lump sum payment to help with mortgage repayments, reducing the financial burden on you and your loved ones.
By paying off your mortgage, you can avoid the risk of losing your home due to financial difficulties caused by illness.
The payment can also be used to cover other living expenses, such as food and bills, ensuring your family's well-being and stability.
What Is Critical Illness Insurance?
Critical illness insurance is a type of insurance that pays out a lump sum if you're diagnosed with a serious illness, such as cancer or a heart attack.
This insurance can help cover expenses like medical bills, lost income, and even mortgage payments.
A typical critical illness insurance policy covers between 10 to 25 different conditions, including cancer, heart attack, stroke, and more.
What It Covers

Critical illness insurance provides a financial safety net in case you're diagnosed with a serious illness or injury. It's designed to help you maintain your lifestyle by freeing up money previously tied up in mortgage payments.
Leading critical illness plans cover around 40 specific conditions, including common illnesses like cancer, heart attack, and stroke. These conditions are named in the insurer's policy terms.
Critical illness insurance can be a supplement to your other coverages, such as health insurance, which can cover a majority of your treatment needs. The lump sum payment from critical illness insurance can be used to cover out-of-pocket expenses.
The lump sum payment from critical illness insurance is tax-free, which means you don't have to worry about taxes cutting into the insurance proceeds. This can be a significant benefit in a time of financial stress.
Here are some of the common conditions covered by critical illness insurance:
- Cancer
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Paralysis
- Blindness
- Third degree burns
Prior Coverage Recognition
Critical illness insurance can provide a financial safety net in case you're unable to work due to a serious illness. In the US, only 3% of foreclosures are due to death but 50% are due to critical illnesses.
If you're declined for critical illness insurance coverage on your new mortgage, you might be eligible for a portion of your new mortgage to be insured under "Prior coverage recognition." This is a possibility if you had critical illness insurance coverage on your previous mortgage.
Understanding the Benefits

The maximum benefit for a CIBC Mortgage balance reduction or payoff is up to $500,000. This benefit can help you maintain your lifestyle by freeing up money previously tied up in mortgage payments.
Critical illness insurance can cover around 40 specific conditions, including cancer, heart attack, and stroke. These conditions are named in the insurer's policy terms.
Having mortgage critical illness insurance can be a lifesaver during a serious illness or injury, as it can pay out to help you meet mortgage repayments. This can help you focus on recovery without financial burden.
Leading critical illness plans cover common conditions such as paralysis, blindness, and third-degree burns.
Why Buy It?
Having a critical illness can put your mortgage at risk, but buying critical illness cover can provide a safety net. In the US, 50% of foreclosures are due to critical illnesses, and in Canada, they cause 48% of mortgage foreclosures.
The lump sum payment from critical illness insurance can be a lifesaver. You can use it to pay off your mortgage, which can be a huge relief. The considerable lump sum can be used to pay off your mortgage.

Critical illness insurance can also supplement your other coverages. Your existing health insurance can be used to cover a majority of your treatment needs, while critical illness insurance can be used to cover out of pocket expenses.
The lump sum is tax-free, which means you don't have to worry about taxes cutting into the insurance proceeds. This can be a huge benefit, especially if you're already dealing with medical expenses.
Here are some key benefits of buying critical illness cover for your mortgage:
- Lump sum payment to pay off mortgage
- Supplement to other coverages, such as health insurance
- Tax-free lump sum payment
It's worth noting that jobseeker's allowance may not be enough to cover your mortgage payments, and 40% of UK citizens have little or no savings. This is why it's so important to have a plan in place to protect your family from financial crises like foreclosure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is critical illness mortgage cover?
Critical illness mortgage cover provides a one-off, tax-free payment to help with mortgage payments, treatment costs, and home modifications if you're diagnosed with a covered condition. This financial support can help alleviate some of the financial burden during a difficult time.
What are the disadvantages of Critical Illness Insurance?
Critical Illness Insurance has several disadvantages, including limited coverage amounts and increased premium costs with age. Additionally, most plans exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions.
Sources
- https://www.cafii.com/mortgage-critical-illness-insurance/
- https://www.cibcinsurance.com/en/mortgage-insurance/critical-illness.html
- https://www.drewberryinsurance.co.uk/mortgage-protection-insurance/faqs/what-does-mortgage-critical-illness-insurance-cover
- https://benefitsalliance.ca/protect-yourself-and-your-family-with-critical-illness-cover-mortgage/
- https://www.criticalillness.org.uk/protect-mortgage-with-life-and-critical-illness-insurance.html
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