Critical illness insurance offers "a much better financial solution" than life insurance policies, according to one expert.
Dr Marius Barnard who created the world's first critical illness insurance policy, said: "Today, with increased life expectancy, early diagnosis and better treatment, I would say that number one is critical illness insurance ."
However, he added that whether critical illness cover or life insurance was more suitable for a person was "a difficult question".
The Association of British Insurers estimates that policy issuers have paid over £1.6 billion in critical illness claims since 2000.
It also said that since critical illness cover was introduced to the UK in 1986, the number of people covered has risen to around 12 million.
The Office for National Statistics says that in 2002 average life expectancy for women was 84 and 81 for men.
It predicts that these figures are likely to increase by three or more years by 2010.




