Critical Care Insurance

In 1974 Dr. Christian Barnard and Dr. Marius Barnard performed the very first successful human heart transplant in South Africa. Many of you may remember that, as I do. Dr Marius Barnard continued to work in his practice as a top Physician, and as he did he began to notice that many of his surviving patients faced difficult financial situations due to the cost of recovery, rehabilitation, on-going therapy and an inability to return to work. His concern led him to develop the concept of “Critical Illness Insurance” for patients surviving the diagnosis and treatment of critical illnesses, firstly in South Africa, then the U.K., Australia, N.Z, Canada and then in the United States. In the Australian Financial Review, Dr Barnard stated “Claims experience shows the 3 major reasons for Trauma Insurance claims are Heart Attack, Stroke, and Cancer. 75% of the population will suffer from one of these in their lifetime.” To understand Critical Illness Insurance, it’s important for you to be aware of the statistics of 100 years ago, to what they are today. People are living longer today because of improved medicine and science, after suffering a Critical Illness, but it’s their financial Health that suffers. The World Health Organization says health consists of 3 parts: Physical, Social and Financial health. Health is seen as a resource for everyday life. The basic resources of health are Income, Shelter and Food. Without our health there is a threat for those resources for everyday life. Since 1901, we are living longer; however, along with an increased lifespan comes the increasing risk of suffering a life-threatening medical condition. Over the last century, the major causes of death, shifted dramatically from Infectious Diseases like TB to lifestyle conditions, such as Heart Disease, Stroke and Cancer. In fact, you have a greater chance of suffering a Critical Illness and surviving, than you have of remaining healthy and dying prematurely. Nearly 46% of males aged 40-65 will suffer a Critical Illness and survive! The average Critical Illness claimant is 43 years old. CRITICAL ILLNESS INSURANCE IS NECESSARY NOT BECAUSE YOU DIE BUT BECAUSE YOU SURVIVE! Critical Illness Insurance is “Living” Insurance Protection. Critical Illness Insurance pays upon diagnosis. It pays you a lump sum of money that you have predetermined will be sufficient for your needs. Dr Marius Barnard, the creator of Critical Illness Insurance asks this question frequently “If you suffer a Heart Attack or Stroke one hour from now, which would you rather loose your home or your mortgage?

Critical Illness Insurance is Protection designed to help you keep and maintain your financial stability in the face of serious critical illness.