Call us
01242 697821

Blogs

Keep up to date with the latest news and our guides on all things mortgages. 

Supporting a Self-Employed Single Mum with Critical Illness Cover

We recently encountered an interesting real-life scenario, and we thought it would be helpful to show you how we assisted a self-employed single mum with her critical illness cover. Do you need specialised income protection, critical illness cover, or life insurance? It’s really important to ensure you are protected for your family.

Let’s dive in!

Client Profile:

  • Name: Sarah, 42
  • Profession: Freelance graphic designer (self-employed)
  • Situation: Recently divorced, single mum of two children (ages 7 and 10)
  • Mortgage: £220,000 remaining on her home
  • Goal: Protect her income and ensure financial stability if she falls ill

The Challenge

Sarah approached us feeling overwhelmed. She had recently gone through a divorce, was now the sole income provider, and worried about what would happen to her children and mortgage if she became seriously ill or couldn’t work.

Her challenges included:

  • Fluctuating income (due to freelance work)
  • No existing protection in place
  • History of a mild autoimmune condition, which complicated medical underwriting
  • Needed affordable premiums that wouldn’t eat into her variable income

Broker’s Approach

We carried out a comprehensive fact-finding to understand her finances, health, and long-term needs.

  1. Reviewed health history carefully and pre-checked with multiple insurers to see who would consider her condition favourably.
  2. Split the protection: recommended a combination of critical illness cover and family income benefit, which would provide a monthly payout to support the children if she passed away.
  3. Recommended a waiver of premium and income protection policy with a 3-month deferred period to keep costs manageable.
  4. Worked with underwriters directly, explaining the stability of her condition and securing cover at standard rates (avoiding increased premiums or exclusions).
  5. Helped structure policies within budget, around £60/month.

The Outcome

Sarah walked away with:

  • Critical illness cover of £100,000 – enough to pay off her mortgage if she was diagnosed with a serious illness.
  • Family income benefit of £1,500/month until her youngest turned 21 – ensuring her children were protected if she passed away.
  • Income protection that kicked in after 3 months off work, providing 60% of her average monthly income.

She now has peace of mind, knowing that her home is secure, and her kids are protected – and that she didn’t have to figure it all out on her own.

Client Feedback

“I thought insurance was out of reach for me with my health and income. My broker not only found cover I didn’t think I could get – they made me feel secure again. I sleep better knowing my kids won’t be left struggling.”

Contact us if you want to find out more about critical illness cover, for your own peace of mind. To ensure you and your family are looked after. No matter the circumstances!

SPEAK TO AN ADVISER

Related

Financial New Years’ Resolutions

Financial New Years’ Resolutions

2022 undoubtedly wreaked havoc with many of our finances with the cost-of-living expenses rising and...

Read More >
Home Insurance: The Ultimate Protection Plan for Your Castle

Home Insurance: The Ultimate Protection Plan for Your Castle

Home Insurance is an essential policy that provides peace of mind to homeowners by protecting their ...

Read More >
Health Insurance and Buying a New Home: Why They Go Hand in Hand

Health Insurance and Buying a New Home: Why They Go Hand in Hand

Buying a new home is an exciting milestone but also a significant financial commitment. While health...

Read More >
Fact sheet: Accident, Sickness and Unemployment policy (ASU)

Fact sheet: Accident, Sickness and Unemployment policy (ASU)

This cover protects your monthly income if you fall sick, have an accident that forces you out of wo...

Read More >
How much equity can I release with a lifetime mortgage?

How much equity can I release with a lifetime mortgage?

A lifetime mortgage is a type of equity release. In simple terms, it’s a loan secured against the v...

Read More >
From Renting to Retirement: How Your Insurance Needs Change Through Life

From Renting to Retirement: How Your Insurance Needs Change Through Life

As your lifestyle evolves, so do the risks you face. Your insurance cover should adapt to reflect th...

Read More >

What our clients say...

Latest Blog

Key Trends Shaping Mortgages, Protection & Later-Life Lending in 2025

It’s been a busy year in the finance world! Have you been reading along? We’d thought we’d break ...
Read More

Case Study: Navigating Complex Lending

Applying for a mortgage can sometimes be straightforward, but when your financial situation is compl...
Read More

Understanding Tax Calculations and Tax Year Overviews

If you’re applying for a mortgage, you may have come across the terms SA302 and Tax Year Overview. ...
Read More

Want to Boost Your Home's Appeal? Start with the Garden

What an amazing summer we’ve been having, and if like us, you’ve been spending a lot of time in th...
Read More

Making the Most of Your Home in Retirement – With the Right Advice

For many people approaching or already in retirement, your home isn’t just where you live, it’s al...
Read More

From Renting to Retirement: How Your Insurance Needs Change Through Life

As your lifestyle evolves, so do the risks you face. Your insurance cover should adapt to reflect th...
Read More

Supporting a Self-Employed Single Mum with Critical Illness Cover

We recently encountered an interesting real-life scenario, and we thought it would be helpful to sho...
Read More

Boost Your Chances for a Mortgage

Are you looking for a new mortgage? How organised are you? Let’s go through some of the key criteri...
Read More

Stay Calm and Financially Resilient

Your Money, Your Safety Net...Life can be unpredictable. Whether it's a sudden job loss, an illness,...
Read More

Can Your Health Cover Help You Get Fitter? Here’s How

Are you looking to feel your best this summer? It can be a self-conscious time of year, but let’s m...
Read More


Fairview Financial Ltd is an appointed representative of The Right Mortgage Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Fairview Financial Ltd is registered in England and Wales no: 10912424. Registered office: 107 Promenade, Cheltenham, GL50 1NW.

The guidance and/or advice contained within this website is subject to the UK regulatory regime and is therefore targeted at consumers based in the UK.

@ 2020 by Fairview Financial

Our Fees        

A fee may be charged for mortgage advice. The exact amount will depend on your circumstances.

Our standard fee for mortgages is £395 and this is paid when the mortgage is offered. We charge a fee of £295 First-Time Buyers. Other fees may apply depending on the complexity of the work involved or loan amount. The maximum fee we can charge is £795.

Our standard fee for Equity Release is £895 and this is paid on completion.

We also receive a commission from the lender that will vary depending on the lender, product or other permissible factors. The nature of any commission model will be confirmed to you before you proceed. If we receive a commission, this will not affect the cost payable by you.

THINK CAREFULLY ABOUT SECURING OTHER DEBTS AGAINST YOUR HOME.

YOUR HOME OR PROPERTY MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE OR ANY OTHER DEBTS SECURED ON IT.

BUY TO LET MORTGAGES ARE NOT REGULATED BY THE FINANCIAL CONDUCT AUTHORITY.

EQUITY RELEASE: THIS IS A LIFETIME MORTGAGE. TO UNDERSTAND THE FEATURES AND RISKS, PLEASE ASK FOR A PERSONALISED ILLUSTRATION. CHECK THAT THIS MORTGAGE WILL MEET YOUR NEEDS IF YOU WANT TO MOVE OR SELL YOUR HOME OR YOU WANT YOUR FAMILY TO INHERIT IT. IF YOU ARE IN ANY DOUBT, SEEK INDEPENDENT ADVICE.


  • Back to top