L&G – or Legal and General – is the UK’s biggest provider of life insurance. It was founded in 1836 and has since grown to be one of Europe’s biggest insurance and asset management companies, with over 10 million customers around the world. The company’s mission is to purpose is ‘to improve the lives of customers, build a better society for the long term, and create value for shareholders’.


Core benefit Receive your critical illness cover amount if you’re diagnosed with one of the serious illnesses or conditions listed in your policy. After this, your policy ends.
Additional benefit Receive a proportion of your critical illness cover amount if you’re diagnosed with one of the less serious illnesses or conditions listed in your policy. Your policy won’t end after claiming the additional benefit.
Child benefit Receive a proportion of your critical illness cover amount if your child is diagnosed with one of the children’s illnesses or conditions listed in your policy. Your policy won’t end after claiming the child benefit.
Total permanent disability benefit Claim your full critical illness cover amount if you’re diagnosed by a doctor has having become permanently disabled during your policy term.
Waiver of premium Don’t pay your monthly premiums if you’re off work for medical reasons. A minimum time off work usually applies.

Legal & General critical illness policies often come with a number of extra benefits, which we’ve listed below. These features are what's known as ‘non-contractual’, meaning they’re not related to the contractual conditions of your own policy, and are usually provided by a third party. Everyone is eligible for them (though they’re only made available if you buy your L&G policy through an adviser). Bear in mind they may be subject to change in the future.

Second medical opinion This service, provided by Healix Health Services Ltd., entitles you to a face-to-face or phone-based consultations with a consultant specialist for a second medical opinion, as well as a supporting report to be shared with your GP.
Advance payments for funeral costs An advanced payment of up to £10,000 to help cover your funeral costs if there was a delay in your policy paying out due to probate. The money goes straight to the funeral home/director. This is only available to those with an accelerated critical illness policy.
Nurse support services This service, provided by RedArc, gives you access to advice and support from trained nurses. This include bereavement support; mental health support; second medical opinions; carer support; help at home after hospital stays; and elderly care.

£25,000 level critical illness cover

Age/gender Cover Non-smoker Smoker
25 year old male or female Standard adult and standard child £6.73 £8.29
Upgraded adult and upgraded child £9.26 £10.91
35 year old male or female Standard adult and standard child £10.39 £15.83
Upgraded adult and upgraded child £15.31 £21.86

£25,000 decreasing critical illness cover

Age/gender Cover Interest rate Non-smoker Smoker
25 year old male or female Standard adult and standard child 5% £6.00 £6.00
Upgraded adult and upgraded child 5% £7.81 £8.79
35 year old male or female Standard adult and standard child 5% £7.25 £10.59
Upgraded adult and upgraded child 5% £10.80 £15.50

£50,000 level critical illness cover

Age/gender Cover Non-smoker Smoker
25 year old male or female Standard adult and standard child £11.15 £13.48
Upgraded adult and upgraded child £15.19 £19.68
35 year old male or female Standard adult and standard child £20.25 £29.53
Upgraded adult and upgraded child £26.92 £38.96

£50,000 decreasing critical illness cover

Age/gender Cover Interest rate Non-smoker Smoker
25 year old male or female Standard adult and standard child 5% £7.53 £9.09
Upgraded adult and upgraded child 5% £11.77 £13.97
35 year old male or female Standard adult and standard child 5% £12.51 £18.74
Upgraded adult and upgraded child 5% £18.78 £27.50

Standard adult and standard child cover: Legal & General Life Insurance and Critical Illness Cover. Upgraded adult and upgraded child cover: Legal & General Life Insurance and Critical Illness Cover Extra. Quoted on 06/04/2020.

Need critical illness cover? Let's work out which insurer is right for you, starting with your age:
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It’s important to make an informed decision when buying life insurance and critical illness cover – which is where Anorak can help. We scan all the major insurers to match you to the products most suitable for you, based on your unique needs. We give you peace of mind about who to go with (especially if your most suitable policy is from an insurer you’ve not used before).
What is critical illness cover?
Critical illness cover is an insurance policy that pays out a tax-free lump sum if you’re diagnosed with one of the illnesses or conditions listed in it. It’s designed to protect you against the financial consequences of becoming seriously ill.
Who needs critical illness cover?
Anyone who’d be financially affected by becoming critically ill, especially if it left you unable to work. In particular, those with financial commitments or dependents. Having this kind of protection in place provides a financial safety net.
What illnesses are covered by critical illness policies?
Each critical illness insurer covers a unique list of illnesses and conditions. This usually includes cancers, heart attacks, strokes, and more. Your policy will only pay out if you’re diagnosed with one of the illnesses listed in it.
Are my children covered by my critical illness insurance?
Most insurers will allow you to include children’s cover in your policy at no extra cost. They’re usually covered for the same illnesses as you, and sometimes some additional child-specific illnesses too.
Will my critical illness cover pay out?
Your critical illness insurance will pay out straight away if you’re diagnosed with one of the illnesses or conditions it covers. It’ll pay out the full lump sum for the core illnesses covered and a proportion of the lump sum for the additional illnesses.