Critical Illness Cover for the Self-Employed No employer sick pay means you need your own safety net

If you're self-employed and diagnosed with a serious illness, there's no employer to pay your salary. Statutory sick pay is just £116.75 per week. Critical illness cover pays a tax-free lump sum to keep your business running and your bills paid.

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Why Self-Employed People Need CI Cover

No employer safety net means protecting yourself is essential.

No Employer Sick Pay

Employees get company sick pay and benefits. Self-employed get statutory sick pay at £116.75/week - not enough to cover a mortgage, let alone business costs.

Keep Your Business Alive

A lump sum payout can cover staff wages, rent, and overheads while you recover. Without it, months off work could mean losing the business you've built.

Tax-Free Payout

Critical illness payouts are tax-free. The money is yours to use however you need - business costs, personal bills, private treatment, or time to recover.

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How It Works

Getting insurance quotes is simple. Here's how the process works.

Complete the Form

Answer a few simple questions about yourself and the level of cover you're looking for. It only takes a couple of minutes.

Receive a Callback

A specialist broker will call you back to discuss your requirements and answer any questions you may have.

Compare Your Options

The broker will present quotes from leading insurers so you can compare options and choose the cover that's right for you. There's no obligation to proceed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Unlike employees, self-employed workers have no employer sick pay or benefits. Statutory sick pay is just £116.75 per week. If you’re diagnosed with a serious illness and can’t work, your income stops but your bills don’t.

Consider your monthly business costs, personal bills, mortgage payments, and how long you’d need to be covered. Many self-employed people need enough to cover 1-2 years of expenses. A broker will call to help you work out the right amount.

Generally no — personal critical illness premiums are not tax-deductible. However, the payout itself is tax-free. Speak to your accountant for specific tax queries.

You can reduce costs by choosing a shorter term, lower cover amount, or decreasing cover. Even a smaller policy provides a safety net. A broker will call to discuss affordable options.

Claims typically take around 8 weeks to process as medical evidence is required. Once approved, payment is made within a few days directly to your bank account.

Yes. Critical illness pays a one-off lump sum for specific serious conditions. Income protection pays a monthly income if you can’t work due to any illness or injury. Self-employed people may benefit from both.