NHS life cover and sickness pension with private life and income protection

drpraks

I am a NHS employee and the existing pension scheme provides 2 yrs pensionable salary in the event of death during service. I also have a life policy with L and G level term cover bought with the house. Recently a friend said that surviving spouse can only claim either of these policies. I looked at the Land G policy and it does not mention that clause. Does anybody know how these things work together?

My second question is about the income protection policy- LV which will start after 12 months.(NHS provides 6 months full pay and 6 months half pay). It apparently has a clause that one cannot claim it with some state benefits (not sure which one...sorry!). But will I be eligible to claim, in the unfortunate event of unable to work even after 12 months due to sickness or injury, along with NHS pension related to sickness, which I may be eligible after 12 months? LV income protection is an expensive policy and wondering if it is worth it?

what we dont have is critical illness cover. Are they worth it? Reading through the different posts it appears that people have mixed views on them.

thanks in advance.