CIExpert has added Guardian to its children’s critical illness (CI) protection customiser tool.
The provider joins Vitality and Zurich on the tool, giving advisers access to all insurers offering tailored children’s CI benefits.
The system allows parents to choose the level of children’s cover they need or can afford, while also supporting advisers in meeting compliance and Consumer Duty requirements, the firm said.
Advisers can now recommend Guardian’s cover in any amount between £10,000 and £100,000, though the insurer’s children’s CI cover is limited to the adult’s cover amount.
The features are fully integrated via CIExpert’s portal links with Iress Exchange, Xplan for Mortgages, IPipeline’s SolutionBuilder, UnderwriteMe’s Protection Platform and Synaptic.
Alan Lakey, director of CIExpert said the role of children’s critical illness cover has evolved significantly and it is no longer just a scaled-down version of adult cover.
“Today’s policies reflect a much wider range of family needs, including birth-related and congenital conditions, and they often extend cover through to early adulthood, right up to university age,” he said.
“Our Critical Thinking 2024 research highlighted that many parents now see children’s CI not just as a financial lifeline for time off work, but also as a way to fund childcare or treatment in situations where NHS support may be limited.
“This evolving perspective reinforces the importance of offering flexible levels of cover that can be tailored to real-life needs.
“In 2025, children’s cover was included in 85% of all comparisons on our platform. That tells us this is no longer a niche consideration. It is becoming central to high-quality, family-focused protection advice.”
Hilary Banks, chief commercial officer at Guardian (pictured) said: “The research we sponsored with Young Lives vs Cancer in September 2023 found that around 4,000 children and young people in the UK are diagnosed with cancer each year, and families face almost £700 a month in extra costs for essentials like travel for treatment, parking, food and clothing.
“It highlights why children’s critical illness cover should be a central part of financial advice, and why giving families the flexibility to tailor their cover really matters.
“I’m pleased we’re part of CIExpert’s Children’s Critical Illness Customiser, alongside providers who share our flexible approach.“