Life insurance
Fight the illness, not the bills.
A cash payout on diagnosis of cancer, a heart attack or stroke — to spend however recovery demands.
- Lump-sum on diagnosis
- Major conditions
- Severity-based payouts
Critical illness cover (also called dread disease cover) pays you a tax-free lump sum when you're diagnosed with a serious condition like cancer, a heart attack or a stroke. It gives you breathing room to focus on recovery — covering treatment, time off work and the costs medical aid doesn't.
Ample compares critical-illness cover across South Africa's leading insurers and helps you understand exactly which conditions are covered and at what severity, so there are no surprises when it matters.
What Critical Illness Cover covers
Lump-sum on diagnosis
A cash payout when a covered condition is diagnosed — yours to use however you need.
Major conditions
Cancer, heart attack, stroke, organ failure and other serious illnesses.
Severity-based payouts
Cover that pays a proportion based on how severe the condition is.
Treatment & recovery costs
Helps cover the gaps medical aid leaves, plus rehab and lifestyle changes.
Income gap
Money to live on while you take time off work to recover.
Combinable cover
Often added to life and disability cover on one efficient policy.
Who critical illness cover is for
- Anyone wanting protection beyond medical aid
- People with a family history of serious illness
- Breadwinners who can't afford extended time off
- Those wanting to protect savings from medical costs
Critical Illness Cover FAQs
Isn't this covered by my medical aid?
Medical aid pays the hospital and doctors. Critical-illness cover pays you directly — for the income you lose, the gaps medical aid leaves, and the lifestyle costs of recovering. They work together.
Which illnesses are covered?
Typically cancer, heart attack, stroke, organ failure and other major conditions. The exact list and severity levels vary by insurer — we compare them so you know precisely what you're getting.
Do I get paid even if I recover fully?
Yes. The lump sum is paid on diagnosis of a covered condition at the covered severity — you keep it whether you recover quickly or not.
Can I add it to my life policy?
Yes, critical-illness cover is commonly added to a life and disability policy, which is often more cost-effective than separate plans.
This page is general information, not financial advice. Cover varies by policy and provider — your dedicated Ample broker tailors it to your needs.
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- Call us0861 112 466
- Email usinfo@ampleinsurance.co.za
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