Brad's story....

Brad did not have a waiting period and the initial claim was paid quickly.

A few years ago Brad, who worked as a sales rep for a major new home building company for the past 5 years, decided it was time to protect his income if sickness or injury prevented him from working. As he traveled many klms per day and had just purchased his own new home with the added burden of a mortgage he knew it was time to be insured. You never know what could happen …..he thought. Over the next few years life continued as normal and work was going well, he had been promoted to area manager and with the housing boom, work was busy.

His income protection policy had been reviewed over the last couple of years, basically it was a piece of paper he thought he would never use. While out fishing with a few friends one Saturday morning he slipped on some rocks and severely broke his right leg in 4 places. He also nearly drowned, his friends managed to get him out of the water and back on land. His Dr told him he would be off work for at least 3 to 4 months before he would be able to work at 100% capacity. As his policy had the scheduled benefit ( this is where a upper leg is broken and you will receive 2 months benefit paid immediately ) Brad did not have a waiting period and the initial claim was paid quickly.

Due to complications and his inability to travel and visit building sites for new homes, the claim continued for another 6 months. All this time the claim cheques arrived each month keeping the bills paid and Brad concentrated on getting better. In total Brad received 8 months income protection, from a policy he thought he would never use, and when he finally was ready for work, he could only work part time. The first 2 months he worked in a partial capacity. His income protection policy still covered 50% of his pre disability income.

Brad has now made a full recovery and is back at work full time advising clients on their new homes.

• The above story is an illustration of life insurance in practice. While it is not a real case, some details are based on a true case. This information is also general information only and policies vary depending on the company and benefits chosen at time of application.

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