Critical illness cover pays out a tax-free lump sum if you are diagnosed with a major illness as specified in the policy, for example cancer and heart disease. Some insurers will make a part payment on an early-stage diagnosis of a condition specified in the policy, the percentage will vary from company to company.

Many people buy a combined life and critical illness policy, and it often makes sense to do so. In this case, a payment would be made on either diagnosis of a critical illness, or death, whichever is the sooner. If the cover is combined in this way, the policy premium is usually cheaper than it would be for separate policies, as there is only ever one lump sum paid out by the insurance company.

Writing a policy in trust

This simple formality is now widely used to help pass money on swiftly and efficiently to loved ones on death. A trust is a legal arrangement that ensures the payout from your life policy can be made directly to your beneficiaries, for instance your wife or your children, and doesn’t form part of your estate, and therefore isn’t subject to Inheritance Tax.

In addition, the payment wouldn’t have to wait until the grant of probate (the legal document required to administer your estate) has been granted. Obtaining probate can be a lengthy and time-consuming process, but if a policy is written in trust, the proceeds can be paid out once a death certificate has been obtained.

Joint or single policies

Should couples have one policy or two? Although couples often share a lot of things, when it comes to life insurance it can make sense for each partner to have their own separate policy. A ‘single’ life policy provides cover for that person only, and pays out the amount of cover provided under the policy if the insured dies during the policy term.

By contrast, a ‘joint’ policy covers two lives, normally on what’s referred to as a ‘first death’ basis. This means that the policy pays out if during its term one of the policyholders dies. As the policy is designed to pay out only once, it will come to an end. So, in this case, the surviving partner would no longer have any life cover under this policy. If instead each had their own policy, the survivor would still have life cover in place.

Note: all IHT solutions are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

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