This type of cover aims to pay off the mortgage balance in exactly the same way as life assurance, but on the diagnosis of a specified critical llness. Payment of the sum assured is made after the insured person survives a stated period of time after being diagnosed with a specified illness. The specified illnesses iusually nclude heart attack, stroke, cancer, multiple sclerosis and many others, often around 30. However different insurance companies have different numbers of illnesses included under their policies, Some may give free cover to the children of the policyholder. Cover is normally quoted as an add-on to life cover, although it can be taken out on its own if required.