Life insurance policies offer a critical illness rider as a safeguard against unexpected financial burdens caused by a terminal illness. This rider provides the insured with living benefits in the form of a lump sum payment to cover medical expenses prior to death. Typically, the additional coverage is equivalent to the sum assured of the base policy and is paid out upon diagnosis of the critical illness. The specific illnesses covered and premiums may vary among insurance companies, but commonly include cancer, heart attack, organ failure, and stroke.
