If you’re lucky, you’ve probably never had to use Critical Illness Insurance (sometimes called catastrophic illness insurance). Perhaps you’ve never even heard of it. But in the event of a big health emergency, such as cancer, a heart attack, or a stroke, critical illness insurance could be the only thing standing between you and financial ruin.
Many people assume they’re fully protected with a standard health insurance plan, but the exorbitant costs of treating life-threatening illnesses are usually more than any plan will cover.
Critical Illness Insurance can pay for costs not covered by traditional insurance. The money can also be used for non-medical costs related to illness, including transportation, childcare, and so on. Typically, the insured will receive a lump sum to cover those costs.