Critical Illness Cover: What Does Martin Lewis Think?

Online Quote & Apply
10/02/2025
7 mins

Critical Illness Cover is a valuable protection to have in place, but buying a policy can feel complex and confusing.

It’s important to do your research before buying insurance to ensure your coverage is the best for you, which is why we’ve got plenty of Critical Illness guides for you to get stuck into.

So, where does Martin Lewis come into all of this? He’s a well-known figure in UK media, sharing savvy money-saving tips and financial opinions. While he’s not a Critical Illness expert, he’s shared some thoughts which we’ll explore in this article.

What Is Critical Illness Insurance?

Critical Illness Cover is an insurance policy that pays out a cash lump sum if you suffer from a serious illness such as cancer, heart attack, or stroke.

Alongside the “big three” conditions, these policies typically cover between 10 to 100 serious or illnesses (depending on the insurer) such as:

  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Permanent loss of vision / hearing
  • Loss of limbs
  • Motor neurone disease
  • Organ failure / transplant.

Designed with rehabilitation in mind, a policy payout offers financial stability while you focus on recovery. It can be used to cover the costs of your treatment, or fill a gap in your income to give your peace of mind.

GOOD TO KNOW 🧐
Each insurer has its own list and definitions of “critical illnesses”, so the level of cover greatly depends on which provider you go to. Check out our online quote tool to see your options.

Who Is Martin Lewis?

Martin Lewis is the founder of popular website, MoneySavingExpert. Founded in 2003, it covers everything from bills and mortgages to savings, budgeting and insurance. He’s also a campaign journalist, TV show host and charity founder.

Why Should I Trust Martin Lewis?

MoneySavingExpert has been around for over two decades. It’s gained authority and credibility, becoming the UK’s most popular consumer finance website. Martin’s work is thoroughly researched and supported by experts in the field.

Alongside this, he’s the founder of several charities and has been the voice of change for many campaigns, including The Energy Bill Campaign (fighting against unfair energy prices) and The Student Finance Campaign (advocating for changes in tuition fees).

While Martin Lewis isn’t an expert in Critical Illness Cover, his work is always researched and he ensures the right people are involved.

Samantha Haffenden-Angear, Independent Protection Expert at Drewberry

We have great relationships with the top Critical Illness providers, and know the market inside out. Because of this, we can whittle down hundreds of products to find the right one for you – at the right price. Plus, it doesn’t cost you a penny to set up your policy with us, so call us on 02084327333 or email help@drewberry.co.uk for free expert advice.

Samantha Haffenden-Angear
Independent Protection Expert

Martin Lewis’s Thoughts On Critical Illness Insurance

Martin recommends getting Critical Illness Insurance if it makes financial sense for you to do so. Here are some of his key thoughts on Critical Illness Cover.

Check If You’re Already Covered

You might already have access to a policy without realising. Martin advises his readers to check their employee benefits package to see if their company offers coverage. And some personal Life Insurance policies also have Critical Illness Cover included, so have a look through any documents to check if you already benefit from this policy.

Read The Fine Print

Martin emphasises that a Critical Illness policy won’t pay out if you get ANY serious illness, but that the definition of a “critical illness” varies massively between insurers. Some conditions may not be covered, and others may only be covered if they reach a certain level of severity.

That’s why it’s so important to do your research and compare policies, not just prices. It can be an overwhelming task, which is where our experts can help. Give us a call on 02084327333 or email help@drewberry.co.uk to chat through your options.

Buy Through A Broker

Martin Lewis recommends working with a broker to set up Critical Illness Cover. Brokers are experts within their field, meaning they can help ensure you buy the right policy for your needs. They have in-depth knowledge of the providers and the types of policies available, placing them in a great position to give advice and recommendations.

Our team of experts are here to help you. We’ll chat through your options and get a better understanding of your situation. From there, we can search the UK Critical Illness market on your behalf.

Be Honest When Applying

When applying for Critical Illness Cover, insurers typically request information about your health and any past issues you’ve suffered from. The reason insurers ask for this is so they can provide the right coverage.

Failure to disclose a pre-existing medical condition could result in a denied claim. So, it works in your favour to be honest in your application. And it helps our advisers to find you the right policy with the best terms for your circumstances.

As brokers, we have direct access to the insurers and underwriters. This gives us bargaining power, helping to negotiate the best terms for the best price.

Danny Gill
Independent Protection Expert

Martin Lewis: Critical Illness Cover Vs Income Protection

There are two products most people consider when thinking about protecting their income; Critical Illness Cover and Income Protection Insurance.

Critical Illness cover pays out a single tax-free lump sum if you’re diagnosed with one of the critical conditions listed on your policy. Whereas Income Protection is designed to pay out a monthly sum if you can’t work due to accident or illness.

Both offer financial security during a difficult time, however, which one is best for you is dependent on your reasons for getting cover. With Critical Illness Cover, you’ll get a single payment only if you’re diagnosed with a specific condition. And you can only claim once. With Income Protection, you can claim for any medical reason that prevents you from doing your job. You can also claim more than once.

For more insight, read our Income Protection Vs Critical Illness Insurance guide.

How To Buy Critical Illness Cover

With any big financial purchase such as Critical Illness Insurance, Martin Lewis recommends getting expert advice. It’s especially important if your situation isn’t straightforward, such as a complex medical history or a high-risk occupation.

There’s another important reason to go through an insurance broker. If you buy a policy directly from an insurer, it’s known as a “non-advised sale”, meaning your purchase isn’t protected by the Financial Conduct Authority if it turns out the policy isn’t suitable for you.

With an “advised sale” (through a broker), you’re not only protected, but you also benefit from tailored advice on your personal situation. If you’re not sure what kind of policy you need, or if you have pre-existing medical conditions, it’s best to speak to an expert (like us at Drewberry) who’ll do the heavy lifting for you.

Use our online quote tool to get an idea of costs, and one of our experts will call you back to chat through your options.

EXPERT TIP 🤓
You’re protected by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) when you get advice and buy a policy through a broker – unlike when you go directly to an insurer.

Compare Critical Illness Policies And Get Expert Advice

As you can see, there’s plenty to consider when getting a Critical Illness policy. It can easily become complex and confusing, especially when you consider some of the language used within the insurance industry.

That’s where our Drewberry experts come in. We live and breathe insurance, and have helped thousands of people get the right policy at the right price. We’ll work hard to find the right product for your needs and budget. Plus, it doesn’t cost you anything to set up your policy through us. For fee-free advice, give us a call on 02084327333 or email help@drewberry.co.uk, we’ll be happy to help.

Why Speak to Us?

We started Drewberry™ because we were tired of being treated like a number.

We all deserve a first class service when it comes to issues as important as protecting our health and our finances. Below are just a few reasons why it makes sense to talk to us.

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