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How much critical illness insurance do I need
How much critical illness insurance makes sense? Here is what to consider:
- How old are you?
- Are you single?
- Any dependents?
- Rent or Own?
- How much savings do you have?
- Do you have health insurance?
- Is there a high deductible?
- Does your employer offer coverage?
- Is there a family history of cancer?
- Do you use tobacco products?
How Much? Start with how old are you?
How much critical illness insurance is important protection for individuals generally between ages 40 and 55.
Before 40, it’s very rare for individuals to be diagnosed with cancer. Heart attacks and strokes tend to happen at older ages, often 60 onward. Of course, cancer, heart attacks and strokes do happen before age 40. Therefore, it’s worth checking out costs. Critical illness insurance is usually available to those who are age 18 or older.
Cancer tends to be the greater risk in your 40s and 50s. One in 17 women will be diagnosed with cancer before the age of 50. Between ages 50 to 59, one in 16 women will be diagnosed with cancer. Between 60 and 69, one in 18 men will be diagnosed with cancer.
How much coverage depends on how much you think you’ll need to cover bills for between 6 and 18 months.
See actual costs for both cancer insurance and comprehensive critical illness insurance coverage. Click the FREE QUOTE button on the advertisement. You will be able to get instant quotes directly from an insurance company.
Are you single or married?
If you are single, having some cancer or critical illness insurance is important. If you are married, it is likewise important. But there are some other reasons.
Single face serious risks. If you are diagnosed with cancer, you will get treatments and most likely survive. But you will have to pay your health insurance deductible and co-pays. You will take time off from work.
Your bills will still be due. Even your health insurance bill must be paid while you are being treated. Imagine the peace of mind that will come from having $10,000, or $15,000 or $25,000 available in your back account to pay your bills while you are recovering.
Married couples (or partners) face the same risks. But there is one more. Because when one spouse gets cancer, often the other spouse takes time off to be there during treatments.
So married couples often face two lost incomes as the result of a critical illness insurance. They also face larger bills because there are two cell phones, two health insurance plans, two car payments. That’s where a small amount of coverage on each spouse can provide great peace of mind.
How much coverage can be a simple calculation. Look at how much you spend each month on all living expenses. Then multiply it by six (6) as a good starting point.
Do you pay rent or a mortgage?
When you are diagnosed with cancer or have a heart attack you want to focus on treatment and recovery. You do not want to be worried about how you will pay the rent this month, pay the rent next month, or the month after that.
The Association generally recommends that your cancer or critical illness insurance should equal between 6 and 18 months worth or rent or mortgage payments.
Chances are you’ll be back at work well before the 18 months. But the extra cash payment will come in very useful. Use it to pay other bills, like your phone, your health insurance, you car payments. And, if anything is left over, take a trip. After surviving cancer you definitely deserve that.
Do you have health insurance?
Even with health insurance you will face expenses. You may have a high deductible plan. That can cost you thousands. There are co-payments and not all medications and treatments are covered.
Every year over 500,000 Americans declare bankruptcy. Most go bankrupt as a result of health-related issues. Most people filing for bankruptcy had health insurance in place when the illness struck.
Use the critical illness cost calculator on the Association’s website to get an instant cost for $10,000 of cancer insurance.
Does your employer offer coverage?
Your employer may offer you voluntary critical illness insurance coverage. Voluntary means that you pay for all costs.
The plan offered by your employer may be your best option. But, it may not be.
Take a minute and read our tips regarding employer critical illness insurance coverage.
Firstly, you may be able to get better coverage options. Secondly, you may even be able to save money.
Do you use tobacco products?
Some cancer and critical illness insurance products charge the same amount to smokers as they charge to non-smokers.
Thus, non-smokers are subsiding smokers. If you are a non-smoker it can be well worth taking a few minutes to look for coverage that bases your rates on your risk.
Finally, read some our other tips on whether critical illness insurance is worth the cost.
Additional resources for consumers
If you are 50 or older, learn more about long-term care insurance planning. Visit our sister organization, the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance.
If you are turning 65, learn more about Medicare insurance options. Find local Medicare Supplement insurance agents. Visit the American Association for Medicare Supplement insurance.
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