Child Protection
Child accident and illness cover that pays you a tax-free cash sum if your child breaks a bone, is in hospital or is seriously ill. One policy, all your children, no medical questions.
- Whole-of-market cover
- Free, no-obligation advice
- Real claims support
When a child has an accident or falls seriously ill, the last thing you want to worry about is money. A broken arm, a hospital stay or a worrying diagnosis can mean time off work, travel to be near your child, childcare for siblings or extra help at home. Child accident and illness protection is a simple, low-cost policy that pays you a tax-free lump sum when these things happen, so you can focus on your child instead of your finances.
Why parents choose this cover
Cash if your child breaks a bone
A set cash sum is paid if your child breaks a bone, with a higher amount for a major bone than a minor one. Breaks caused by an accident are covered from day one.
Hospital cash for every day
If your child is admitted as an in-patient you receive a daily cash amount, with a higher rate for each day in intensive care, up to 90 days per cause, per child.
A lump sum for serious illness
A larger one-off cash sum is paid if your child is diagnosed with one of seven specified conditions, from bacterial meningitis and cancer to Type 1 diabetes and severe burns.
One policy covers all your children
A single policy and a single premium cover all your eligible children. There is no limit on the number of children covered and no limit on the number of claims you can make.
No medical questions
There is no medical underwriting and no health questions. The price depends only on the level of cover you choose, not on your child’s age, health or how many children you have.
It pays you, so you can be there
Any valid claim is paid directly to you, free of UK income tax. Use it to replace lost earnings, or to cover travel, accommodation, childcare and help at home while you care for your child.
How it works
Choose your level of cover
Pick Standard or Plus cover. Plus pays roughly double the Standard amounts for less than double the price. No medical questions, and cover is usually active straight away.
Something happens to your child
Your child breaks a bone, is admitted to hospital, or is diagnosed with a covered serious condition. Accident-related breaks and hospital stays are covered from day one; illness benefits apply after a waiting period.
You make a claim
You contact the insurer and provide the supporting medical evidence they ask for. There is no limit on the number of claims you can make under the policy.
A tax-free lump sum is paid to you
Once the claim is agreed, the cash benefit is paid directly to you, the policyholder, into a UK bank account. Valid claims are typically paid within five working days, free of UK income tax.
Cover levels and cash benefits
This is cash-benefit cover. The amounts below are the maximum payable at the level you choose, and some benefits apply only after a waiting period. Plus pays roughly double Standard for less than double the price.
| Insured event | Standard | Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Broken minor bone | £100 | £200 |
| Broken major bone | £300 | £600 |
| Hospital stay (per day, in-patient) | £50/day | £100/day |
| Intensive care (per day) | £150/day | £300/day |
| Serious illness diagnosis | £5,000 | £10,000 |
What it costs
Two clear options, one premium that covers every eligible child. Prices shown are as at June 2026 and may change.
| Cover level | Monthly | Over 5 years |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | £6 | £360 |
| Plus | £11 | £660 |
One policy for all your children
A single policy and a single premium cover all your eligible children, from birth or adoption right up to their 23rd birthday. There is no limit on the number of children covered and no limit on the number of claims, so the cover grows with your family.
The seven serious conditions
The serious illness lump sum can be claimed if your child is diagnosed with any one of these specified conditions. The same single benefit applies to all of them, at the level of cover you have chosen.
Bacterial meningitis
One of the most feared childhood infections, where speed of treatment is critical.
Cancer
A diagnosis of a covered cancer triggers the serious illness lump sum.
Benign brain tumour
A non-cancerous brain tumour requiring treatment is included.
Paralysis or loss of a limb
Permanent paralysis or the loss of a limb is covered.
Type 1 diabetes
A diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes in your child qualifies for the benefit.
Rheumatic fever and severe burns
Rheumatic fever and severe burns complete the list of seven covered conditions.
Schools usually do not insure your child against accidents
In most cases, UK schools do not provide personal accident insurance covering pupils for injuries at school or on school trips. Any cover a school holds is usually limited, for example to negligence claims, so most everyday childhood accidents are not covered. We recommend you check what your own school offers, and consider whether your own child protection would give you peace of mind.
Extra family services included
Alongside the insurance, your family can use these support services at no extra cost. They are there to help with everyday health and wellbeing, not just at claim time.
24/7 virtual GP
Speak to a GP by phone or video at any time, day or night, including weekends, for advice about your child’s health without waiting for an appointment.
Wellbeing support line
A confidential support line staffed by counsellors and nurses, available around the clock, to help your family with emotional, practical and health-related worries.
Protect every child for the price of a couple of coffees a month
Get clear, no-obligation advice from an FCA-regulated adviser. One policy, all your children, no medical questions, from £6 a month.
Free, no-obligation advice. We are paid by the insurer, not by you.
Child protection questions
What does child protection cover?
It is a cash-benefit policy that pays you a tax-free lump sum if your eligible child breaks a bone, is admitted to hospital as an in-patient, or is diagnosed with one of seven specified serious conditions. You choose Standard or Plus cover, which sets how much each benefit pays. It does not pay a benefit on death, and there is no per-injury schedule by body part.
Which serious conditions are covered?
The serious illness lump sum can be claimed if your child is diagnosed with any one of seven specified conditions: bacterial meningitis, cancer, a benign brain tumour, paralysis or loss of a limb, Type 1 diabetes, rheumatic fever or severe burns. The same single benefit applies to all of them, at the level of cover you have chosen.
Does it cover all of my children?
Yes. One policy and one premium cover all your eligible children at the same time. An eligible child is your biological, adopted or step child, or a child under your legal guardianship, who is a UK resident and aged under 23. There is no limit on the number of children covered and no limit on the number of claims, and the price does not change with the number of children.
Are there any waiting periods?
Yes, and these matter. Broken bones and hospital stays caused by an accident are covered from day one. Hospital stays due to illness are only covered after a 12-month waiting period. For the serious-condition lump sum, both the diagnosis and the tests leading to it must be at least 90 days after your cover starts. We will explain all the waiting periods before you take out the policy.
Who can take it out, and what ages are covered?
The policyholder must be aged 18 to 93, a UK resident, and have at least one child aged 17 or under. Each eligible child is then covered from birth or adoption up to their 23rd birthday. Grandchildren, nieces and nephews are not covered, and children do not need to live with you to be eligible.
Is the payout taxed?
Benefits are paid to you, the policyholder, free of UK income tax and capital gains tax, into a UK bank account. Inheritance tax could apply in some circumstances, for example after a death. Tax treatment depends on your circumstances and may change. If you are unsure, we are happy to talk it through.
How do I claim?
You contact the insurer and provide the medical evidence they ask for to support your claim. Once a valid claim is agreed, the cash benefit is typically paid to you within five working days, into a UK bank account. There is no limit on the number of claims you can make under the policy.
Why do I need this if my child is at school?
In most cases, UK schools do not provide personal accident insurance covering pupils for injuries at school or on school trips, and any cover a school holds is usually limited. That means most everyday childhood accidents are not covered by the school. Your own child protection pays out wherever and however the accident or illness happens. We recommend you check the cover your school offers as well.
Let us talk through your options
Your first consultation is free and there is no obligation.
Albion Financial Advice provides regulated mortgage and insurance advice where applicable. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. Wills, estate planning and some forms of business and buy-to-let insurance are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Information on this page is general only and does not constitute financial advice.