Author
Bowtie Team
Updated on
2025-07-24
Disclaimer: This article is translated with the assistance of AI.
Critical illnesses are striking younger these days—even in your 40s, you could be at risk. Wondering what to look for in a critical illness insurance plan? Let the Bowtie team break it down for you with expert insights to safeguard your future.
Why Buy Critical Illness Insurance at 40?
Data source: Hong Kong Cancer Registry
City dwellers are increasingly prioritizing health, especially after turning 40, when many start facing various health risks, such as:
- Cancer: In the 40-44 age group, it rises to about 200 cases per 100,000 people (see chart above).
- Stroke: From 2001 to 2021, the incidence rate for ages 18-55 increased by nearly 30%.
- Cardiovascular disease: In the 45-54 age group, 4.9% have a ≥20% risk over the next 10 years
If you’re unfortunately diagnosed with a critical illness as defined in the policy (including severe diseases or surgical procedures), critical illness insurance provides a lump-sum cash payout to ease your financial burden. You can decide how to use the funds, such as for medical bills or living expenses.
According to market data, cancer, heart disease, and stroke typically account for about 90% of critical illness claims at insurance companies.
Critical Illness Insurance Comparison
Critical illness insurance products in the market vary significantly in coverage, so it’s wise to compare before choosing. Based on the comparison table below, Bowtie Term CI Early Stage and Multiple Cover shows several advantages:
- Age: Issue age covers from 15 days to 65 years, with maximum coverage up to 100 years old.
- Provides multiple claims for cancer, heart disease, and stroke 1
| Bowtie Term CI Early Stage and Multiple Cover | Company B | Company F | |
| Issue Age | 15 days to 65 years | 15 days to 60 years | 0 to 69 years |
| Maximum Coverage Age | 100 years | 100 years | 99 years |
| Early Stage Critical Illness | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Second Cancer Coverage | ✓ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Second Heart Disease Coverage | ✓ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Second Stroke Coverage | ✓ | ❌ | ❌ |
Data as of: May 28, 2025
- 1 For claims under multiple critical illness coverage, cancer (newly diagnosed, recurrent, metastatic, or persistent cancer after the first cancer claim), stroke, heart disease, and other heart-related diseases (including coronary artery bypass surgery or other serious coronary artery diseases) require additional conditions. For details, please refer to the policy terms and conditions, as well as exclusions.
Critical Illness Insurance Premium Comparison
| Term CI Early Stage and Multiple Cover | Company B | Company F | |
| Age 40 | 3,624 | 8,087 | 4,380 |
| Age 41 | 4,032 | 9,337 | 4,850 |
| Age 42 | 4,464 | 10,352 | 5,360 |
| Age 43 | 5,088 | 11,248 | 5,940 |
| Age 44 | 5,736 | 12,307 | 6,570 |
| Age 45 | 6,432 | 13,229 | 7,140 |
| Age 46 | 7,080 | 14,885 | 7,750 |
| Age 47 | 7,752 | 16,587 | 8,420 |
| Age 48 | 8,448 | 17,795 | 9,140 |
| Age 49 | 9,168 | 18,951 | 9,930 |
| 10-Year Average Annual Premium | 6,182 | 13,278 | 6,948 |
Data as of: May 28, 2025. Assuming the insured is a non-smoking male, sum insured HK$1,000,000. Premiums for Company B and Company F are calculated on an annual renewal basis.
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