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Mail & Guardian

Life Insurance

latest news & developments

The one call I was not ready for

A 41-year-old marketing director from Johannesburg faces the immediate financial and administrative chaos following her husband's sudden death, highlighting the critical gap…

Why life insurance and funeral plans matter

At its heart, life insurance answers one question: what will happen to the people I love if I’m no longer around? A lump-sum payout, often tax-free, gives families the ability to…

Marietha Roos, Executrust fiduciary specialist and certified financial planner.

Death should not be a taboo discussion

Funeral cover is a necessary – if uncomfortable – conversation for every family and staff member

Life insurance: A beneficiary’s perspective 

We all want to ensure that our loved ones will be taken care of when we pass away

Simple answers to questions about life insurance 

If you don’t have life insurance to protect it, the lifestyle you’ve created for your loved ones may be compromised when you’re no longer there

Before you commit to acquiring life insurance, it is important to understand how the premium escalations on your new policy are determined.

Why life insurance premiums become more expensive annually

Things to consider and discuss before taking out a policy

South Africa’s social security system is aimed to assist the most indigent in society and is of no benefit to the middle class who must provide their benefits via group life or own insurance provisions.

The middle class needs to up its life and disability cover

The country’s social security system is for the indigent; those who can provide for themselves will have to do it alone

Momentum advised that if a client was not aware of a medical condition prior to the commencement of their policy, it is not viewed as non-disclosure.

Insurance payments demand clients’ honesty

Momentum found itself in consumers’ crosshairs this week after it declined to pay out the death benefit cover

‘This payout will be fully funded from Momentum’s profits and not from our clients’ premiums,’ the insurer said in a statement released on Tuesday.

Momentum changes tune: Pays out death benefit to widow

Momentum has created a policy to ‘pay out an amount equal to the death benefit in the case of violent crime, regardless of previous medical history’

The outcome of the ANC’s long-awaited KwaZulu-Natal conference was a win for the Thuma Mina crowd. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

Transnet (and death) cheat aged pensioners out of dignified lives

A fight drags on to get the state to replenish looted pension funds for those battling to make ends meet.

Before you commit to acquiring life insurance, it is important to understand how the premium escalations on your new policy are determined.

Strong profitability for South African life insurers

Fitch Ratings expects South African life insurers to have improved over 2013, but warned they are at risk regardless due to the slow economy.

People with HIV pay more for life insurance – if they can get it

Their life expectancy is almost as high as those who are HIV free, yet they pay much more.

Life insurance vs savings

Is it worth taking out life insurance or should I be investing my money into property?

How to avoid the pain of a frozen bank account

Consider including an immediate needs benefit in your policy — but beware any exclusions.

1Lifedirect lets you buy life insurance on your cellphone

A simple policy you can administer conveniently on your cellphone could usher in a new generation of insurance purchase.