THE AVERAGE UK HOUSEHOLD WHERE SOMEONE HAS PARKINSON’ S IS £ 16,582 OUT OF POCKET EACH YEAR.
Why this enhancement matters
It’ s impossible to fully predict how life could be affected by developing a critical illness or lifelong condition. Top up payments to age 60, can provide valuable extra funds to support your clients and their families during times of uncertainty.
We know how people spend their critical illness payout can often differ from what they intended – for example, the 2024 Critical Thinking report from CIExpert shows that while 27 % of people thought they would spend their payment on things to improve their health, only 21 % actually did so. Having a‘ buffer’ on top of their anticipated payout could help meet a wider need such as debt repayment, cover private treatment, travel costs, childcare, home adaptations and even bucket list experiences.
And your clients already recognise the value top up payments could have.
Also according to CIExpert’ s Critical Thinking Report, 36 % of people said they’ re more likely to consider critical illness cover in the future now they know multiple claims can be made. 60 % of advisers said if additional payouts were made quickly enough to pay for private treatment, their clients would be more likely to buy cover.
The cost of lifelong care
For conditions where there is currently no cure, for example Motor Neurone Disease and Parkinson’ s, top up payments could have a significant impact on quality of life.
The latest Cost of Parkinson’ s report from Parkinson’ s UK showed the average UK household where someone has Parkinson’ s is £ 16,582 out of pocket each year. 1 Of this, £ 3,622 went towards social care costs such as adaptations to the home, equipment to enable people to stay independent and assistance with daily tasks such as cleaning and shopping. Additional household costs have been confirmed in more recent international studies too 1. Parkinson’ s UK research shows that people are often unaware of social care and how to access it until they are already in a crisis situation 2.
Similarly, households affected by Motor Neurone Disease spend an average of around £ 14,500 a year 2 above and beyond normal living costs. These additional costs can include anything from the cost of equipment and housing adaptations to increased energy bills.
Changing life stages
A key feature of this enhancement is the age range of up to 60 – this is competitive in comparison to other insurers who offer a similar feature up to age 55 3 – and recognises that traditional life milestones are often taking place later in life. It’ s no longer unusual for people in their 50s to have a number of years left on their mortgage or young families or students to support.
Need-to-knows for advisers
• Available for new business only
• Offers clients a higher payout
• Comes with Plus cover as standard on day one
For full terms and conditions, including a list of exclusions please refer to the policy booklet.
1
The financial impact of Parkinsons has also been confirmed more recently by the study: Economic Burden of Parkinson’ s Disease: A Multinational, Real-World, Costof-Illness Study. Drugs Real World Outcomes. 2024
2
Through the Roof MND Association report 2023
3
Internal market analysis carried out in August 2025
60 % OF ADVISERS SAID IF ADDITIONAL PAYOUTS WERE
MADE QUICKLY ENOUGH
TO PAY FOR PRIVATE TREATMENT, THEIR CLIENTS WOULD BE MORE LIKELY TO
BUY COVER.
CIExpert Critical Thinking Report 2024
| PROTECTION ADVISER | AUTUMN 2025 | 41