WHAT IS CRITICAL ILLNESS INSURANCE?
Whereas life insurance has been readily available for literally hundreds of years, critical illness insurance is a relatively recent development. Having a serious illness is not something any of us likes to think about. But it happens. Treating and coping with illness can mean significant and often unexpected costs including time away from your work.

WHY DO YOU NEED CRITICAL ILLNESS INSURANCE?
What would you do if you had to give up your employment and stop earning money owing to severe ill health? How would you support your family if you were diagnosed with cancer, or you suffered a heart attack and can no longer go to work? If and when severe illness strikes, improvements in healthy living and medical science means there is a good chance that you will recover and get on with your life. Advances in medicine mean that even when diagnosed with a very serious disease, you are likely to survive.

Critical Illness Insurance protects families and individuals against the financial hardships resulting from suffering a major illness. It does that by paying a lump sum depending on the amount of your cover. Critical Illness cover can also be called upon in the event of permanent and total disability or diagnosis of one of a number of specified serious illnesses. A person taking out a critical illness insurance policy will pay regular premium. The amount of the premiums will depend on certain factors, such as age, whether or not you smoke, family history (many critical illnesses are hereditary), and the level of critical illnesses insurance cover required.

HERE ARE SOME FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why is Critical Illness Insurance Necessary?

• life insurance pays on death, or when the insured is terminally ill, with no long term living benefits
• disability insurance replaces income, but is insufficient for the added burden of medical expenses
• personal and retirement savings have intended purposes, other than medical expenses
• long term care insurance is too restrictive and inflexible
• many critical illness victims make a full recovery after a lengthy expensive treatment period
• Contact us with your details and we will email you information by return.

Does Critical Illness Insurance pay in addition to other insurance, such as income protection?
Yes, Critical Illness benefits are paid in addition to other benefits; it is not intended to replace them. Income Protection insurance plans typically pay you a % of your salary, for the period of time that you are unable to perform your work. Critical Illness insurance gives you options not available with Income Protection Insurance. Contact us with your details and we will email you Information by return.

Which Critical Illness product is best for me?
There are several types of Critical Illness products, including some that offer only critical illness coverage and some that combine critical illness coverage with death benefits. Contact us with your details and we will email you Information by return.

I am a homemaker. Because I do not have a traditional occupation, can I purchase Critical Illness coverage?
As a homemaker you can purchase Critical Illness coverage. The same goes for many other occupations that Income Protection is not available to. Contact us with your details and we will email you Information by return.

On what basis can a plan be taken out?
The contract can be made on either a first life or joint life basis. Contact us with your details and we will email you Information by return.

How much critical illness cover do I need?
You can choose the level of your premium or cover. Most people opt to cover the cost of their outstanding mortgage loan, plus a bit more. Your policy should last at least as long as your mortgage. Contact us with your details and we will email you Information by return.

What illnesses and other conditions are included in the critical illness Cover?
The following core conditions are covered (most critical illness claims arise from These conditions): heart attack, stroke, coronary artery bypass surgery, kidney failure, cancer, major organ transplant, heart valve replacement or repair, aorta surgery, terminal illness and multiple sclerosis. We also cover major burns and Paraplegia/paralysis.

We also cover total and permanent disability based on becoming permanently unable to follow any occupation for profit or reward up to age 65. Thereafter the benefit will be paid if you are unable to perform three of the five normal activities of daily living. Contact us with your details and we will email you Information by return.

When are benefits paid?
Benefits will be paid following the receipt of satisfactory evidence of a claim. Contact us with your details and we will email you Information by return.

What is my commitment?
You must pay a premium either each year or every six months and you should view your contract as being for the medium to long term. Contact us with your details and we will email you Information by return.

OK, HOW DO I OBTAIN MY PERSONAL QUOTATION OR ASK FURTHER QUESTIONS?
If you would like a free assessment of the costs and benefits involved with Critical Illness Insurance then click here. We will follow up promptly for you with relevant information.