Critical Illness Cover

1. About Critical Illness Cover

What it is Critical Illness Cover?

Critical Illness Cover (or Serious Illness Cover) pays you a lump sum if you're diagnosed with Cancer or one of the other serious conditions we cover. This means that if you get a dread disease, the cover will be paid out in one go.

Like all Sanlam Indie policies, your Critical Illness Cover policy includes a built-in Wealth Bonus. We’ll match up to 100% of your premium in a reward that tracks the market like an investment to grow real wealth for your future.

Do I need Critical Illness Cover?

If you’re diagnosed with a serious condition (like cancer), in addition to coming to terms with the news of the disease itself, you’ll also have to come to terms with the associated expenses (like employing a carer, the cost of treatment not covered by medical aid, and adjustments to your lifestyle). Money should be the last thing you’re worrying about at a time like this.

Our dread disease cover is there to help you conquer it, by covering these costs with a lump sum payout.

How much cover do I need?

Most people choose to have at least R350,000 of cover, or about 6 months of income (after tax but before other deductions) if that’s higher. Your cover amount will grow with inflation each year, but you can choose to opt out of this growth. Also, at any time, you can lower or increase your cover, or remove your cover altogether.

Why’d we create Critical Illness Cover?

More people are diagnosed with Cancer and other serious conditions these days than ever before. But with the right support, more people can fight back.

Being diagnosed comes with added potential expenses like employing a carer, the cost of treatment not covered by medical aid, and adjustments to your lifestyle. And no-one should have to worry about the financial impact of these at a time like this.

2. Claims & payouts

How are claims paid?

Critical Illness Cover claims will be paid to you, the policyholder. How long that’ll take depends on the nature of the claim, as well as how quickly we’re given the claims documentation.

Can I claim more than once?

Yes, under certain conditions, you can claim more than once. If, for example, you successfully claim for quadriplegia, we’ll pay you 100% of the cover amount. Critical Illness Cover continues after the claim, and you’re fully covered for other conditions that are unrelated to your first claim, as if the first claim never happened.

Only if your second claim is related to your first claim, will you not be able to claim again. An example would be claiming for a certain type of cancer that leads to a different type of cancer. In that case, we’ll only pay out once for the maximum of the two conditions.

When doesn't Critical Illness Cover pay out?

Critical Illness Cover will not pay a claim if you have been wilfully misleading with the information you provided us.

For most valid claims, we'll pay 100% of the cover amount. There are certain aggressive types of Cancer that may have a very big impact on your life and for those, we will pay 150% of the cover amount.

More details on the payouts

Is the claim payment taxable?

No. Under current taxation laws, you won't pay any tax on the claim payout.

3. Premiums

How do Critical Illness Cover premiums work?

Each year, we’ll use your details to calculate your premium. If you don’t tell us about any changes, the only thing that’ll change is your age. You don’t have to tell us if your circumstances change (like if you get married, or quit smoking), but there’s a chance these changes could lower your premium, so it might be worth giving us the lowdown.

Your premium may also change over time as we make pricing and feature adjustments. Unlike most insurers, if our prices come down over time, or we improve our product, everyone gets the benefit, not just our new clients (we’ve got your back, fam).

Naturally, the amount of serious illness cover you take will influence your premium. You can lower the amount of cover at any time, which will result in a decrease in your premium.  

Can I skip premiums?

You can skip a total of 6 premiums during the first 3 years of having an active policy. You'll still be covered, but your cover will be temporarily reduced until you make up the payment. If you skip all 6 premiums, and we don't successfully collect your 7th premium, your policy will lapse and your cover will fall away. To avoid your policy lapsing, you will have to either pay your missed premium before your next billing date, or ensure your 7th collection is successful. Any claims made during this period may not be paid out.

Read more here

4. About the cover

Does the cover amount change?

Your cover amount will automatically grow each year with inflation, but you can choose to opt out of this growth. Also, at any time, you can lower your cover, or increase your cover, or remove your cover altogether.

Depending on the size of cover increase, we may first need you to answer some short medical questions.

When does the cover end?

Cover will only end if you decide to remove the product and stop paying premiums, or if you die.

What conditions are covered?

You can find a list of the conditions covered here.