When most people think about critical illness, they imagine it as something that happens much later in life, perhaps in their 60s, 70s or beyond. It’s a comforting assumption, but one that simply doesn’t reflect reality.
Recent claims data paints a very different picture. Across a wide range of serious conditions, the average age at which people are diagnosed is often decades earlier than expected. For many families, this means the financial impact arrives right in the middle of working life, when commitments are highest and resilience is lowest.
Cancer remains the largest cause of critical illness claims, and while survival rates have improved significantly, the ages involved may come as a shock. Testicular cancer claims average just 38 years old, leukaemia 39, and ovarian and cervical cancers 44. Even breast cancer and melanoma have an average claimant age of just 47. These are people often at the peak of their careers, with mortgages, children and future plans still very much in progress.
Degenerative conditions are also affecting people far earlier than many expect
It isn’t just cancer. Degenerative conditions are also affecting people far earlier than many expect. The average age for multiple sclerosis claims is just 44, Parkinson’s 56, and Alzheimer’s 61. Brain-related conditions such as aneurysms, encephalitis and traumatic head injuries regularly affect people in their mid-to-late 30s. Paralysis claims average just 44 years old, with real-life examples including a 45-year-old father injured while cycling with his son.
Liver conditions, too, are appearing at alarmingly young ages, with liver resection claims averaging 36 and liver failure 43. These figures point to lifestyle pressures and underline how quickly health can change, even for those who feel fit and active today.
The human cost of critical illness is, of course, immense. But the financial strain is often underestimated. Time off work, reduced earning capacity, additional care needs and the emotional toll on families can place huge pressure on household finances. Even where conditions are survivable, recovery is rarely quick or straightforward.
This is why protection planning is not just about older age or worst-case scenarios. It is about recognising that serious illness can happen much earlier than we would like to believe, and ensuring that if it does, finances are one less thing to worry about.
Critical illness cover is not something you hope to use. But the evidence shows that if you ever do need it, you may well be younger than you imagined.
