For employers, disability and CI cover prevents financial hardship for staff unable to work due to illness or injury and reduces employer welfare liability. For self-employed individuals and professionals, it is a critical safety net — there is no employer sick pay, no HR department, and no salary to fall back on. Cover includes: lump-sum payment on first diagnosis of a listed critical illness (typically cancer, stroke, heart attack, kidney failure, paralysis, major organ transplant), permanent total disability benefit, temporary disability income replacement, and waiver of premium if the insured becomes permanently disabled. The lump sum can be used for treatment costs, debt repayment, income replacement, or business continuity during recovery.