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Critical Illness Insurance Cover
A serious illness, such as cancer or heart attack, affects one-in-four women and one-in-five men before retirement age.
Critical illness insurance is designed to ease the financial pressures by paying a tax-free lump sum if you become seriously ill or totally disabled.
You must normally survive at least one month after becoming critically ill, before the policy will pay out.
Also known as dread disease cover, critical illness insurance pays benefits on the diagnosis of certain specified critical illnesses.
The range of diseases covered has increased to more than 30, though contracts differ from one company to another.
All policies should cover seven core conditions. These are cancer, coronary artery bypass, heart attack, kidney failure, major organ transplant, multiple sclerosis and stroke. They will also pay out if a policyholder becomes permanently disabled as a result of injury or illness.
But not all conditions are necessarily covered.
In May 2003, insurers adopted new rules set by the Association of British Insurers, that tightened the conditions under which customers could claim on critical illness insurance (CII) policies.
The changes mean that policies won't cover conditions such as non-invasive skin cancers, and less advanced cases of prostate cancer. Tumours that have not yet invaded the organ or tissue, and lymphoma or Kaposi's sarcoma in the presence of HIV are excluded.
There are also more restrictive conditions for heart attacks.
There has to be evidence of typical chest pain, or changes in the electrocardiogram (ECG),for example, if a claim is to be successful. Cardiac conditions, such as angina, will not be covered.
For single people with no dependants, critical illness cover that pays off the mortgage is more important than having life cover, as it means you have fewer bills or a lump sum to play with if you are very unwell.
But it can also be useful if you are part of a couple. It provides a welcome financial boost at a time of emotional stress and financial hardship.
News block
| 03/10/2010 04:01 PM |
| Contractors 'divert Somalia aid' |
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Up to half the food aid in Somalia is routinely diverted to corrupt contractors and militants, a leaked UN report says.
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| 03/10/2010 06:10 PM |
| Greeks stage fresh general strike |
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Thousands of Greek workers are expected to bring the country to a halt with a second strike in a month over austerity measures.
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| 03/10/2010 05:01 PM |
| Mexican shakes up world rich list |
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Mexican Carlos Slim overtakes Bill Gates as the world's richest man, according to the Forbes "rich list", with a fortune of $53.5bn.
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| 03/10/2010 07:00 PM |
| DR Congo mines 'hit by extortion' |
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Former rebels in DR Congo, now in the army, are running mafia-style extortion rackets in mines, campaigners say.
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| 03/10/2010 04:06 PM |
| Scientists to review climate body |
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The UN secretary general asks the world's leading science academies to review the UN's climate science body.
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| 03/10/2010 02:17 PM |
| Haiti situation 'dire', Obama says |
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Barack Obama warns that the crisis in quake-hit Haiti is not over, as he meets the country's President, Rene Preval.
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| 03/10/2010 12:29 PM |
| Israel under pressure over homes |
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Israel comes under growing international pressure following its approval of new building in occupied East Jerusalem.
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| 03/10/2010 12:15 PM |
| Berezovsky wins poison libel case |
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Businessman Boris Berezovsky wins his libel case over claims he was behind the murder of former Russian agent Alexander Litvinenko.
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| 03/10/2010 04:55 PM |
| Google to scan old Italian books |
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Italy signs a deal with Google to put online the contents of its two national libraries, including works by Dante and Galileo.
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| 03/10/2010 04:05 PM |
| Israel supermarket uses parody film of Dubai assassins in advert |
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An Israeli supermarket chain uses spoof surveillance footage, parodying that of the alleged assassins of a Hamas commander in Dubai, in a TV advert.
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| 03/10/2010 10:14 AM |
| Baby elephant shocks Sydney zoo with 'miracle' survival |
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An elephant in a Sydney zoo shocks vets by giving birth to a live baby elephant who appears to have survived labour in a coma in the womb.
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| 03/10/2010 03:35 PM |
| Classy Man Utd crush sorry Milan |
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Wayne Rooney scores twice in another irresistible display as Manchester United beat Milan 4-0 on the night and 7-2 on aggregate to ease into the Champions League quarter-finals.
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| 03/10/2010 03:41 PM |
| Real crash out of Champions League |
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Lyon draw 1-1 in the Bernebau to earn a 2-1 aggregate win over Real Madrid.
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| 03/09/2010 06:24 AM |
| Can US broker Middle East peace? |
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Joe Biden is in the region to encourage talks between the Palestinians and Israel. What can be achieved?
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| 09/29/2009 06:16 AM |
| BBC World News |
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| 03/10/2010 06:18 PM |
| Powered pedal |
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Beijing's silent invasion of electric bicycles
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| 03/10/2010 02:37 PM |
| Afghan anxieties |
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Why the UK fears politics and force are out of synch
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| 01/20/2010 04:36 AM |
| Earth Watch |
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Will review of UN climate change body be unbiased?
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| 03/10/2010 04:27 AM |
| Fighting the tide |
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Church authority at risk as scandals spread in Europe
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| 03/10/2010 05:38 AM |
| Jumbo job |
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It's a big task, but how do you recycle a plane?
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| 03/10/2010 09:09 AM |
| Tough task |
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Challenges ahead for new president in quake-hit Chile
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| 03/10/2010 05:38 PM |
| US reports record budget deficit |
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The US government records a budget deficit of $221bn (£147.6bn) in February - the largest monthly deficit in its history.
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| 03/10/2010 04:38 PM |
| BA strike talks end without deal |
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Talks between British Airways and Unite aimed at averting strike action by cabin crew break down without agreement.
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| 03/10/2010 06:07 PM |
| UK snow insurance claims at £650m |
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Insurers paid out £650m from 335,000 claims made as a result of damage caused by the wintry weather in the UK.
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| 03/10/2010 10:57 AM |
| Internet up for Nobel Peace Prize |
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The internet is among a record 237 individuals and organisations nominated for this year's Nobel Peace Prize.
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| 03/10/2010 06:53 AM |
| Mobile phone allows boss to snoop |
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Mobile technology that could allow prying bosses to monitor every movement of their staff is developed in Japan.
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| 03/10/2010 05:19 AM |
| Facebook calls for 'iconic games' |
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Facebook calls on game designers to make an iconic title, such as Mario or Halo, specifically for the social network.
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| 03/10/2010 08:44 AM |
| Lost Boys actor Haim dies aged 38 |
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Lost Boys actor Corey Haim dies at the age of 38, the Los Angeles coroner's office confirms.
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| 03/10/2010 04:19 AM |
| Academy defends Fawcett snub |
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Actress Farrah Fawcett was not in the Oscars memorial segment because she was more known as a TV star, the Academy says.
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| 03/10/2010 02:57 PM |
| EU to back bluefin tuna trade ban |
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EU nations decide to support a ban on international trade in Atlantic bluefin tuna until stocks recover.
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| 03/09/2010 07:26 PM |
| Ring may be giant 'impact crater' |
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Deforestation has revealed what could be a giant impact crater in Central Africa, according to Italian scientists.
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| 03/10/2010 07:08 PM |
| GPs 'lax' on cholesterol targets |
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Many lives could be saved if GPs followed guidelines for reducing cholesterol in those at high risk of heart disease, a study suggests.
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| 03/10/2010 11:49 AM |
| Nigeria charges over Jos killings |
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Police say 49 people are to be charged with murder following communal violence that left scores of Nigerian villagers dead.
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| 03/10/2010 09:24 AM |
| ANC seeks Winnie Mandela answers |
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South Africa's ANC asks Winnie Mandela to clarify a media report in which she apparently fiercely criticised ex-husband Nelson.
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| 03/10/2010 04:43 AM |
| Insurers 'face $7bn Chile bill' |
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The earthquake in Chile may cost the global insurance industry as much as $7bn (£4.7bn), Swiss Re estimates.
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| 03/10/2010 11:19 AM |
| Biden steps up pressure on Israel |
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The US vice-president renews criticism of Israel over an East Jerusalem building project and calls for bold steps for peace.
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| 03/10/2010 07:07 AM |
| 'Bali bomber' killed in Indonesia |
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Indonesia's President Yudhoyono confirms security forces killed Bali bomb suspect Dulmatin in raids in Jakarta on Tuesday.
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| 03/10/2010 02:36 AM |
| China's exports see big increase |
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China's exports surged 46% in February, figures show, raising hopes of a strong recovery in global trade.
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| 03/10/2010 04:11 AM |
| Ashton sets out diplomatic vision |
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The EU's foreign policy chief, Lady Ashton, tells MEPs how she will shape Europe's new diplomatic service, as officials vie for influence.
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| 03/10/2010 05:48 AM |
| EU leader 'pities' UKIP's Farage |
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EU president Herman Van Rompuy says he pities Nigel Farage, the British Eurosceptic MEP who called him a "damp rag".
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| 03/10/2010 04:34 AM |
| Egypt's top cleric dies aged 81 |
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Egypt's top Muslim cleric has died suddenly in Saudi Arabia at the age of 81.
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| 03/10/2010 07:33 AM |
| Iran attacks US over Afghanistan |
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Iranian President says it is the US, not Tehran, that is playing a "double game" in Afghanistan.
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| 03/10/2010 12:17 PM |
| Pakistan attack kills aid workers |
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Militants attack the office of a Western aid agency, killing six people and wounding others, the agency and police say.
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| 03/10/2010 01:56 AM |
| Pakistan bans for Yousuf and Younus |
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The Pakistan Cricket Board issues indefinite bans to former captains Mohammad Yousuf and Younus Khan for "infighting".
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| 03/10/2010 05:15 PM |
| Labour MP facing expenses probe |
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Labour MP Harry Cohen is being investigated by the police over his expenses claims, the BBC understands.
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| 03/10/2010 12:59 PM |
| Pakistan kidnap father returns to UK |
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The father of a British boy kidnapped in Pakistan returns to the UK against the wishes of the country's police, the BBC learns.
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| 03/10/2010 02:01 PM |
| Ex-chief warns over defence funds |
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Ministers will have to cut back all but the most essential projects to meet a funding shortfall, a former defence chief warns.
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| 03/10/2010 04:06 PM |
| Tories allege plan to cut police |
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The Tories allege ministers plan to cut the number of uniformed officers despite a pledge to protect front line police.
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| 03/10/2010 07:09 PM |
| Fire College 'failed fire safety' |
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The UK Fire Service College failed to comply with fire safety laws when part of its own premises burnt down, the BBC learns.
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| 03/10/2010 06:01 PM |
| Schools offered gang trouble tips |
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Schools in England are being issued with new guidance on how to spot signs that children are involved with gangs.
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