This includes four of the most commonly claimed for conditions; heart attack, cancer, stroke and multiple sclerosis.
The wider cover will now include:
• Low grade prostate cancer
• Three more ABI+ definitions for cancer, stroke and multiple sclerosis
• Improved cover for ductal carcinoma in situ and heart valve replacement or repair
• Reduced exclusion period of 12 months for terminal illness on life and life plus critical illness products
• An increase to the maximum age for children to age 21 if in full time education
• Replacement cover and joint life policy separation.
These new and improved definitions aim to improve clarity, provide better cover for customers and reduce the number of claims that are declined for not meeting the policy definition.
Bonnie Burns, product and technical director for individual protection at Legal & General, said: "Our key focus is to help people when they are at their most vulnerable and we want to pay as many claims as possible. Less than 5% of our critical illness claims are declined for not meeting the definition, but we want to get this figure even lower.
"Last year we paid out £177 million to 2,784 customers and we hope to pay even more in the future. Our customers want to know that should the worst happen they have the cover in place that will do what it promised when they bought it. These enhancements will help us ensure we deliver on that promise.”
