Monday, June 25, 2012

Specified Illness Cover - Financial Tip


As most of you will know, Specified (Serious) Illness cover pays out a lump sum if you are diagnosed as suffering from one of a number of specified serious illnesses (ie Cancer, Stroke, Heart Attack etc.), as defined in the product providers policy document.

If a ‘Critical Event’ happens (eg diagnosis of specified illness), then the insured must survive 14 days so that they are eligible to claim under the policy.

If you are in the market to buy this product, for a fixed level term, I would recommend that you buy the cover on a 100% ‘Accelerated’ basis.

This means that you insure yourself for Life Cover & Specified Illness Cover under the one policy, where the full sum insured is paid out in the event of your death or on a ‘critical event’.

The difference in premium between the ‘Accelerated’ & the Specified Illness policy only is very small and in some cases can work out cheaper. You also eliminate the 14 day survival period issue.