If you have or had a credit card, loan or store card, you may have been sold payment protection insurance (PPI)

According to the insurer Aviva, more people have mobile phone insurance than critical illness cover, and more people have a satellite TV package than have life insurance

Terminal illness cover is a benefit that’s included in many life insurance and critical illness insurance.  It’s something you hope you’ll never have to claim on, but if you are diagnosed with a terminal illness it could pay out a lump sum

Income protection insurance is designed to pay out if you can’t work due to illness, but not all policies are the same

Not everyone needs a life insurance policy but if you have young children (or older ones who are financially dependent on you) or have joint debts with someone else – such as a mortgage – you should take out life insurance

Medical treatment of HIV has made huge advances in recent years

If you’ve decided to take out a critical illness insurance policy, you’re in the minority

Depression is often misunderstood but it can be a serious illness, affecting twice as many women as men

Women are more likely to suffer from a serious illness than men

For some people, private medical insurance is a luxury (and one that they’re happy to do without), for others, it’s a priority