Stroke and heart attack cover launched

Insurer Chartis Direct has launched an insurance policy giving cash payouts on diagnosis of either a heart attack or stroke.

You can choose £15,000, £25,000 or £50,000 payouts on diagnosis of either. Premiums start at under £2 a month and the most expensive cover is available from £5.49 a month for a typical 35-39 year-old non-smoker.

High blood pressure

The policy is only for those who have not previously had medical conditions associated with a higher risk of heart attacks and strokes (such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol).

The policy does not pay out for the smallest of strokes that last less than a day, called a TIA – Transient ischaemic attack – or if the damages was caused by a trauma (a knock). About 110,000 people have strokes in England each year and 92,000 have heart attacks. As with Fabrice Muamba, pictured, they often come out of the blue.

The policy is aimed at UK residents aged between 18 and 69 years old. Monthly premiums are as low as £2.99 for a non-smoking 35-39 year old who wants £25,000 cover level. Chartis will add a male or female partner to the plan for a discounted rate and your children are covered at no extra cost.

Spend as you wish

There are no rules on how the cash payout can be used; it could help cover the cost of home help, or travel or parking costs during treatment, or could help pay for a holiday to recuperate at the end of treatment.

This new policy follows Chartis Direct's launch of simple policies giving cash payouts on diagnosis of specific illnesses, as seen with its Cancer Cover policies. Holders of Chartis Cancer Cover have the choice to add on Heart Attack and Stroke cover for only a small extra monthly premium.

It also offers emotional support and guidance through the Chartis Care Advisory Service provided by RED ARC. The insurer pays for a personal nurse advisor to answer questions or provide practical help such as information on local support groups or rehabilitation.

Life-changing experience

Jonathan Hewett of Chartis Direct says: "A heart attack or stroke can be a life-changing experience. Our policy can give much needed financial help for insured people, so they can focus on the important business of getting better.

"Not everyone can afford critical illness cover, however our Cancer and Heart Attack and Stroke policies offer low cost protection against three of the major causes of serious illness in the UK.

"We've had some fantastic testimonials from people who have benefitted from our Cancer cover and aim to provide a corresponding level of financial and practical support for those diagnosed with heart attacks or strokes."