No matter how comprehensive and successful your investment plan, the most important asset you and your family have is your health. Without it you lose your ability to provide for yourself and your family on a day-to-day basis, let alone achieve long-term goals.

Even if it is only a relatively short period that you are unable to earn an income, the long-term impact could be substantial. For example, what would happen to your retirement savings goal if you couldn’t contribute for a year or more? And it is not only your income that is affected. If your partner works, they may have to give up their job to care for you. Even if you can survive on your partner’s income, you also need to factor in the costs of medical treatment and rehabilitation to the budget.

Being injured, or worse, dying prematurely, are subjects we would prefer to keep at the back of our minds.

By taking out:

• Life (or Death) Cover – cover that pays a lump sum of money on death,
• Total and Permanent Disablement Cover – cover that pays a lump sum of money should you become totally and permanently disabled,
• Trauma or Critical Illness Cover – cover that pays a lump sum of money should you be struck by a specific medical condition (eg, cancer) and/or
• Income Protection Cover – cover that can pay up to 84% of your employment income if you are unable to work due to sickness or accident

you can afford to concentrate on living, knowing that if the worst happens, you and your family will be protected.

The proceeds from insurance can be used for any purpose, including repayment of debts or to cover general living expenses, thereby lifting some of the burden on your dependants.

Personal insurance is not available to everyone, so if you are in poor health, finding cover can be difficult.  It’s best to get on top of your needs straight away, when your health is good.  Insurers don’t cancel policies if your health takes a turn for the worse, so don’t be concerned a policy will not last the intended time.

Our Peritus advisers can:

• Help you decide which policies you require,
• Determine the right amount of cover to be held in each policy, and
• Advise on who should own the policies