Does critical illness cover include my children?
Many critical illness policies include children's cover automatically at no extra cost. It usually pays a smaller lump sum if a child is diagnosed with a covered condition, often a fixed amount or a percentage of the adult cover. Age limits and the conditions covered vary between insurers, so check your policy summary.
Who counts as a child
Typically your natural, adopted or step-children, within an age range set by the insurer. Some policies also cover children from birth or certain pregnancy-related conditions.
How payments work
The children's benefit is usually paid without reducing the adult cover. There is normally a limit on how many children's claims can be made for each child.
Enhanced children's cover
Some insurers offer higher children's benefits for an extra premium. If this matters to you, ask your adviser to compare options.
This article is general information about UK protection insurance, not personalised financial advice. Policy terms vary between insurers and products, so always check your own policy documents.
Last updated 27 October 2026