September is Heart Awareness Month and we’re here for it! According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa, heart disease and stroke are the second biggest killers in the country, but 80% of these deaths are preventable with early detection and lifestyle changes. Simply put, the more attention you pay to your heart, the better.

While this month is a great reminder that eating a healthy diet, keeping fit and managing our stress levels can look after our health, financial protection matters too. It’s worth asking, do you have the right life insurance for your health status?

 

Your Health Affects Your Premium

When applying for life cover, your insurer assesses your overall health to determine your monthly premium. Factors like your weight, blood pressure, medical history, and lifestyle choices all play a role. If you’re in good health, you’ll generally pay a lower premium. It’s important to disclose your health status to your life insurer before taking out cover so they can accurately calculate your premium.

Being dishonest about your health could result in a denied claim later on. On the other hand, delaying cover until a health issue develops could end up costing you more. That’s why Heart Month is the perfect time to act. Taking out life insurance while you’re healthy can save you money and stress in the long run.

 

Check In On Your Cover

Just like you’d go for a medical check-up, it’s important to review your life insurance policy regularly. If you’re diagnosed with a condition after taking out your policy, it may not affect your existing cover, but it’s still a good idea to inform your insurer. Many people also choose to increase their cover after a health scare or when diagnosed with a chronic condition that could shorten their life expectancy. (For the record, unmanaged heart disease can reduce your lifespan by up to 15 years – just another reason to prioritise your heart health.)

Fortunately, MiWayLife makes it easy to update your policy online. You can increase or decrease your cover at any time to ensure it continues to meet your needs.

Added Peace of Mind: The Terminal Illness Benefit

All MiWayLife policies include a Terminal Illness Benefit. This means that if you're diagnosed with a terminal illness and have less than 12 months to live, we’ll pay out 50% or 100% of your full life cover, the choice is yours, while you’re still alive. It’s designed to give you and your loved ones added financial support when you need it most, whether that means settling medical bills, preparing your estate or fulfilling a a lifelong dream.

 

The Bottom Line

Your health and your life insurance are closely linked. The ideal time to get covered is before a health issue arises, but the best time to review your cover is now. Let Heart Awareness Month be your nudge to live well and plan smart to protect the ones you love. Why not get a quick quote from MiWayLife today?

Did you know:

You can now take out life cover with us online in a few simple steps. No calls and no agents! Make sure to take care of those you love today by buying MiWayLife cover online.