Deciding to get serious illness cover - know the facts!

1. Understanding Serious Illness
Cover
Know the facts before opting for a specific kind of cover

2. Life is unpredictable…
Life comes with its twists and turns.
You really don’t know what’s
around the corner! If you are the
primary source of financial
support for your family then it is
your duty to prepare for the time
when you will no longer be
around to continue that support.
It’s not pleasant to think about it
but it is of the utmost importance
to secure your loved ones’
futures.
www.familymediationcenter.gr

3. Life insurance is one thing, but then there are more specialised
kinds of insurance offered by most life insurance companies and
Serious Illness Cover is one such kind. This cover ensures that in
the event of you, the insured, being diagnosed with a certain
illness by a registered doctor, a pre-determined lump sum will be
paid out to your family. This is particularly helpful as you may not
be able to work during this time, putting your loved ones’ wellbeing at risk. The following illnesses are those usually covered by
serious illness cover:

4. 1. Stroke
What is it?:
A stroke is suffered when tissue in the
brain dies as a result of insufficient
blood supply to that area. Bleeding
within the skull can also cause a stroke.
Qualifying for serious illness cover:
A CAT scan or MRI is required as well as
a qualified neurologist’s confirmation
that the patient (or insured) has the
relevant symptoms of a stroke (brain
damage resulting in problems with
cognition and vision, for example).
Strokes are the third most common
cause of death in South Africa.
helivac.co.za

5. 2. Heart Attack
What is it?:
Inadequate blood supply to the heart
(and therefore a lack of oxygen in that
area) results in heart muscle dying.
Qualifying for serious illness cover:
A cardiologist must confirm the attack
and provide evidence to back up the
claim (raised biochemical markers,
acute ECG results etc).
Heart attacks are the leading cause of
serious illness cover payouts in South
Africa.
ufhealth.org

6. 3. Cancer
What is it?:
Cancer comes in a range of forms
and is a result of unregulated cell
growth.
Qualifying for serious illness cover:
Life insurance for cancer can be
rather pricey so make sure you
understand all the fine details of the
cover you choose. In South Africa
one in seven women and one is six
men are expected to suffer from
cancer in their lifetime making it
even more important to have the
right cover in place. In most cases
you are only covered if you meet
certain criteria as a cancer sufferer.
www.gcarlson.com

7. Prepare for the future
today…
Secure your family’s future today by
applying for life insurance of some kind.
Chat to a reputable life insurance company
and discuss your options. Your monthly
premiums are determined by your personal
information, such as medical history and
current health status. Be sure to read the fine
print and make sure you have a firm
understanding of your cover before making
any decisions.