Scottish Provident paid out £53 million to critical illness policyholders in the first half of the year.

91% of all critical illness claims were paid, with just 2% declined on the grounds of non-disclosure.

The average pay out was £90,478, with the maximum claim exceeding £600,000.

Cancer remains the most claimed for illness (66%), followed by heart attack (12%) and stroke (6%).

Breast cancer accounts for almost a third (31%) of all cancer claims made over the first six months of the year.

Ian Smart, head of product development and technical support at Scottish Provident, said: “Suffering a critical illness can be distressing enough, without compounding this with financial concerns about how to cope with the loss of a regular income.

“We are committed to paying out as many critical illness claims as possible; swift financial support can make all the difference to both a claimant and their family.”