Should I buy critical illness insurance? There are no easy answers. Many agents may try to use scare tactics (which make logical sense) to get you to purchase critical illness plans, but are they really worth it? Not in my opinion. Many agents will tell you that if you do not buy CI cover, you will not get insured against cancer, which is steadily on the rise. However, that is not the full story. How does a critical illness plan work? A CI plan pays you a lump sum of money if you are diagnosed with one of the 37 pre-determined major illnesses. This money can help pay for your living expenses or loss of income while you recuperate, or other ancillary medical expenses that may not be covered under your traditional health shield plans, including reconstructive surgeries. The catch is - once you are awarded with a payout, your ......