1. Dear Potential Client,<br />Imagine for a moment that you're sitting in a hospital room after surgery and being visited by your doctor:<br />quot;
I have good news and bad news,quot;
says the doctor. quot;
The good news is that the operation was a complete success and we expect you'll make a full recovery. The bad news, however, is that we were unable to save your wallet.quot;
<br />Having seen many of his patients left financially destitute as a result of treatment costs, a doctor by the name of Marius Barnard worked with insurance companies to launch the world's first critical illness insurance (CI) policy in South Africa in 1983. Twenty years later, the concept has finally made its way to Canada.<br />Should you be diagnosed with a critical illness, this insurance coverage provides you with a lump-sum cash payment. You can use these funds however you see fit – to take a sabbatical and recuperate, make renovations to your home, pay off your mortgage or even pursue private medical treatment in the United States.<br />Government healthcare looks after you during your immediate illness, but CI protects your retirement savings and investment portfolio by providing you with the financial cushion you may need to fully recover.<br />Studies conducted by Statistics Canada, the Canadian Cancer Society and the Heart and Stroke Foundation suggest that one in three Canadians will develop cancer during their lifetime and that one in four is likely to have a heart condition, a blood vessel disease or a stroke-related illness. With odds like these, I'm suggesting that clients consider if CI has a role to play in their financial plan. I'll give you a call in the next few days to discuss the subject in greater detail.<br />Sincerely,<br />Brett Cranson<br />