You need Critical Illness Cover to help protect your finances if you are diagnosed with a serious, life-threatening illness. It can help pay for expensive treatment, support you financially if you’re unable to work, and cover the gap between the cost of private medical care and what your medical aid pays.

Did you know that diabetes, heart disease, and strokes are among the top ten leading health risks globally? According to World Health Organization, these diseases, along with lower respiratory infections and lung cancer, have claimed the most lives over the past 15 years.
While risk can depend on lifestyle and genetic factors, anyone can develop these conditions. Thanks to advances in medical equipment and treatment, survival rates have improved. However, these illnesses are expensive to treat and even with Medical Aid, you may not be adequately covered. In many cases, patients are also unable to work consistently, which can result in a loss of income.
This is where Critical Illness Cover can help. Also known as Severe Illness or Dread Disease Cover, this policy provides financial protection against specific illnesses listed in the plan. Whether you’re diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, suffer a heart attack, or develop pneumonia, Critical Illness Cover can be used to pay for private medical care, supplement Medical Aid shortfalls, or cover household expenses while you recover.
Monthly premiums for Critical Illness Insurance are calculated based on your age and medical history. Depending on the severity of the illness, the payout may be a percentage of the insured amount or the full lump sum.
Once you go Hippo, you don’t go back. Just ask these customers:
I saw the advert on my phone confirming that if I need assistance when looking for insurance Hippo can assist. The advert also told me to press for urgent assistance. I did. I was assisted immediately.
By advertising on social media all insurance companies. I have saved R400 from the insurance that I choose.
Execellent service, timeous response, great communication and a good overall experience finding the ideal insurance for you.
I was desperate for an insurance an affordable premium as Auto General had suddenly communicated that they would charge me R2400. Hippo provided affordable options and within 3 hours, I had new insurance cover at a good rate and the old insurance cancelled.
The lady that helped she was the best and honest with everything we discussed about their insurance company. Thank you dear for the best customer service.
Clear answers to help you understand Critical Illness Cover and how it protects you financially during serious illness.
Critical Illness Cover, also known as Severe Illness or Dread Disease Cover, provides a lump sum payout if you are diagnosed with a serious illness listed in your policy. The payout is designed to help cover treatment costs and financial pressures during recovery.
Medical Aid often does not cover the full cost of private treatment, specialist care, or extended recovery expenses. Critical Illness Cover helps reduce the shortfall between what Medical Aid pays and the actual cost of treatment, allowing you to access better care if needed.
The payout can be used for private medical care, medication, specialist consultations, household bills, debt repayments, or everyday living expenses if you are unable to work while undergoing treatment or recovery.
Covered conditions depend on the insurer and policy, but commonly include illnesses such as heart attack, stroke, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and other serious life-threatening conditions listed in the policy document.
Monthly premiums are usually calculated based on your age, medical history, and overall health risk. Younger and healthier individuals generally pay lower premiums than those with higher medical risk factors.
The payout depends on the severity of the illness and the terms of your policy. Some claims pay a percentage of the insured amount, while more severe diagnoses may qualify for the full lump sum payout.
Compare Critical Illness Cover quotes and find protection that helps you manage medical and financial risks.
Choose cover that supports your recovery, income, and long-term financial stability.
Explore our Life Insurance guides, from basic policy explanations to specialised cover like Mortgage Life Insurance, joint cover and high-risk options.
What is a Life Insurance policy? Find out how Life Insurance works, what it covers, and how to choose a policy that fits your needs.
Life Insurance for Parents Learn how to take out cover for your parents when they can’t do so themselves, or add them to your existing policy.
Life Insurance for Children Understand how cover for children works, how value builds over time, and when these policies pay out.
Life Insurance for Over 50 Explore Life Insurance options for people over 50, including cover that pays a lump sum to your beneficiaries.
High-Risk Life Insurance See how insurers assess higher-risk jobs, hobbies and health profiles, and what that means for your premiums.
Joint Life Insurance See how one policy can cover you and your partner under shared terms, and when a joint policy makes financial sense.
Traditional Whole Life Insurance Learn about lifelong cover (often up to age 95), fixed premiums and guaranteed payouts to your beneficiaries.
Term Life Insurance Understand fixed-term cover, how it works for temporary needs, and what happens when the term comes to an end.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions Find out how existing health conditions affect your Life Insurance application, waiting periods and exclusions.
Mortgage Life Insurance See how this type of cover protects your bond by paying off the outstanding home loan if you pass away.
Critical Illness Cover Learn how Critical Illness Cover works, what conditions may be covered, and how payouts can help with treatment and recovery costs.
Universal Life Insurance Explore flexible life cover that can adjust over time, and learn how premiums and benefits may change based on your needs.