Scottish Provident has announced that it paid out £90 million to critical illness policyholders during 2011, with 91% of all critical illness claims paid.
Only 2% of claims were declined for non-disclosure.
Average pay out was £82,000, with the largest at just over £945,000.
Cancer remained the top reason for making a critical illness claim, accounting for over half of all claims.
A total of 33 different types of cancer were claimed for but a third of all cancer claims were for breast cancer.
Jennifer Gilchrist, senior product development manager, Scottish Provident said: "With breast cancer accounting for a third of our cancer claims, it is essential that more women are encouraged to take out protection insurance.
"Earlier detection of breast cancer means that many more women are surviving the disease."
2011 saw Scottish Provident include additional cover for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), an early form of breast cancer.
"This extra cover provides for a smaller payment to be made, recognising the need for some additional financial protection on diagnosis of DCIS," said Gilchrist.
