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Consumer report unveils leading causes of life and critical illness claims in the Middle East

In the last three years, Zurich has paid over $160 million in life and critical illness claims, the highest pay-out since 2016

The impact of critical illnesses continues to be felt in the Middle East, as heart attack, stroke, and cancer continue to be the most common reasons for insurance claims – a report just released by Zurich International Life (Zurich), part of Zurich Insurance Group, has revealed.

The report, generated from living and life cover benefits claims made against Zurich International Life retail policies between January 2020 and December 2022, disclosed that over the three-year period, Zurich has paid claims totalling over $160 million (Dh587.58 million). This, according to the report, is a 23 per cent increase compared to $144 million (Dh528.82 million) from 2019 to 2021.

According to the 2023 Customer Benefits Paid Report, almost 60 per cent of all life-cover claims were due to heart attack and cancer. For women, 43 per cent of life cover claims were due to cancer while for men, heart attack and stroke were the leading cause, accounting for 40 per cent of life cover claims. The report also found that the youngest age of a death claim was 27 years, while the oldest was 80, with an average age of 54.

The report moreover highlighted that higher incidences of obesity, diabetes, and smoking, coupled with high cholesterol levels, contribute significantly to the high number of cases of heart attacks and strokes among men.

“Securing your financial future involves both living a healthy lifestyle and having a well-thought-out financial plan for the unknown. Our report identified that one out of every four claims was made within the first three years of taking out a policy; more than 85 per cent of these were from customers who were accepted at standard rates. Having a safety net is crucial, particularly as we see a majority of claims from people well within their working years, still holding material family responsibilities. This report is aimed at starting this all-important conversation about financial planning and securing the future for those who matter most,” said Wilson Varghese, General Manager and Head of Operations at Zurich.

According to the report, heart attack, stroke, and cancer were among the top three claims in the critical illness segment, accounting for over 90 per cent of claims.

For men, roughly three in every five critical illness claims were due to heart attack and stroke. For women, 85 per cent of the critical illness claims were due to cancer, and 45 per cent of these cancer claims were due to breast cancer alone. The report also revealed that the youngest age of a critical illness claimant was 27 years, while the oldest was 84 years, with an average age of 49 years, or about 16 years prior to retirement.

The report further confirms that life insurance requirements must be tailored to each person’s unique circumstances, taking into account underlying factors such as age, gender, and other demographics.

Trend of high pay-out rates continues

Over the past three years, Zurich has paid out 98 per cent of life claims and 96 per cent of critical illness claims. While emphasising the significance of getting insurance cover, Deepak Gaur, Head of Claims at Zurich, also stressed the importance of choosing the right partner.

“While getting life insurance cover should be a priority for everyone, finding a trusted partner who’ll be there at the critical time of need is important. We cover life insurance risks worth well over $50 billion in this region alone; therefore, it’s our responsibility to raise awareness of the risks we face as a community and also be transparent about how we’re meeting those expectations.”

Key takeaways from the report

Despite growing financial obligations and the rising cost of living, many people do not have life insurance cover in place. This report has, however, revealed a need for early policy uptake, with residents encouraged to take out life insurance at a younger age. In addition, regular health checks and lifestyle changes should be implemented to reduce the risk of future critical illnesses. For families, the benefits of such precautions and investments are multitudinous and can help uphold their standard of living during a prolonged illness or in case of the untimely death of a breadwinner.

Underlying factors such as out-patient treatment and therapies not covered by your health insurance, the financial burden of supporting a family member during post-surgery recovery, prolonged periods of unemployment, and necessary living adjustments can all have a significant impact on your financial situation, emphasising the importance of taking early action to be financially prepared.