THE TRUE VALUE OF CRITICAL ILLNESS COVER

What are the chances of it happening to me?

It’s worth considering for a moment that statistics show just how wrong we are to disregard the possibility of suddenly not being able to generate an income if struck down by a critical illness. The chances of it happening are not as remote as we may imagine.

• Worldwide, every year more than 10 million people are diagnosed with cancer, and nearly 40% of those survive.
  (Source: Cancer Research UK 01/2008)
• The quality of life of cancer patients and their families can be greatly improved by the provision of essential care.
  (Source: World Health Organization 01/2008)

So why don’t we?

In reality we tell ourselves it’s not necessary, we don’t believe it will happen to us. Unfortunately, this means that too many people face the daunting prospect of not only having to cope with their illness, but having the additional strain of worrying about financial commitments they simply have no way of meeting.

Survival rates increasing – what it means to you

In the event of death, a life insurance policy can cover expenses and costs associated with the potential loss of the primary source of income for a family. What most of us don’t fully consider are the financial consequences of surviving, or continuing to suffer from a critical illness. Advances by the medical profession have resulted in vast improvements in survival rates of patients – what would once have been fatal is not always so now. Whilst this progress must be praised, it has resulted in millions of previously self-sufficient individuals struggling to meet their financial commitments.

• It is estimated that there are over 24 million people alive who have received a diagnosis of cancer in the last five years.
  (Source: Cancer Research UK 01/2008)
• Each year nearly 20 million people survive heart attacks; many require continuing, and costly, clinical care.
  (Source: World Health Organization 01/2008)
• 10 million people survive strokes each year. 40% of these stroke victims experience moderate to severe impairments requiring special care.
  (Source: – World Health Organization and The University Hospital both 01/2008)

If you found yourself in this position, how would you cope?