What diseases are considered critical illness?


Editorial team Published on

Critical illnesses are severe, life-threatening medical conditions that typically qualify for a lump-sum payout under a Critical Illness Insurance policy.

The "Big Three" Most Common Illnesses

Most policies base their coverage on three major conditions that account for the vast majority of all claims:

  • Cancer: Malignant tumors meeting specific severity or staging definitions (excludes early-stage or non-invasive skin cancers).
  • Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction): Death of a portion of the heart muscle due to inadequate blood supply.
  • Stroke: Neurological damage caused by interrupted blood flow to the brain, resulting in permanent deficits.

Other Major Conditions Covered

Standard policies often expand to cover 30 to over 50 severe medical events, such as:

  • Organ Failure & Transplants: End-stage kidney (renal) or liver failure, and major organ or bone marrow transplants.
  • Neurological Disorders: Multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and motor neurone disease.
  • Loss of Physical Functions: Total and permanent paralysis, blindness, deafness, or loss of speech/limbs.
  • Trauma & Surgeries: Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, major third-degree burns, and severe head trauma.