Hi again, Yes, the time limit was quite strict - just three months from diagnosis. Note that mine was NOT an income replacement policy, so I didn’t have to prove I couldn’t work, or anything like that. Indeed, I hadn’t had any sick leave. But it seemed beyond their comprehension that was even possible, so I still got a big wad of irrelevant bumf about: “Welcome back to work!” I thought: “Bloody cheek, I’ve not been OFF work!” My boss had generously given me the rest of the day on the morning I was actually diagnosed; that was it! Your policy might be different. If it’s income replacement, rather than lump sum critical illness, you’ll presumably be required to prove inability to work, and the amounts payable will be linked to your present salary - either complete replacement, or a proportion - say 75%. Obviously, I wouldn’t expect that will keep coming for life. It probably covers you for a fixed period - a year sounds typical. If you have a mortgage, check that too. Many are sold with a payment protection policy attached (usually to protect the lender, not you, but might just pay it off if you can’t work). Tina