Why do you need Trauma Cover? 

Who do you know that has suffered from a heart attack or cancer in their working lifetime? No one ever expects it to happen to them, but imagine hearing the news that you have a serious medical condition. How would you cope financially during the recovery period? Would your partner be able to support you during your recovery as well as continue to work?

With advances in medical technology there is a far greater chance of surviving a trauma/critical illness than in the past. But are you prepared for the financial consequences of survival?

Trauma Cover can provide you with a one-off lump sum payment if you’re diagnosed for the first time with one of 38 conditions defined in the policy. You can use this lump sum on whatever you wish – whether this is medical expenses or paying off the mortgage.

New Zealand trauma stats

• Your chances of surviving cancer are higher now, than they were 10 years ago. ¹
  
  
• 1 in 9 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime. ²
  
  
• The lifetime risk of developing bowel cancer is 1 in 18 for men, and 1 in 23 for women...for those with a family history of bowel cancer, the risk can be 1 in 4. ³

Who claims for trauma?

• 63% of all people who claim on their Trauma Cover policy are between 30 and 50.⁴
  
  
• Cancer is the reason for 56% of Trauma Cover claims, while 23% are heart related. ⁵
  
  
• The average claim amount on a Trauma Cover policy is $157,000. ⁴
  
  
• The largest Trauma Cover claim ever made is for $1.5 million by a 48 year old with cancer. ⁵

How much does it cost to survive?

What additional expenses would you face if you were to survive a serious illness? Think about:

• Time off work
• Childcare
• Travel expenses
• Medicines/treatment

Case studies

For examples of how trauma insurance has helped real people, read our life insurance case studies >>

Sources: 1 Cancer: New Registrations and Deaths 2005 – Revised edition, Ministry of Health, sourced Feb 2010. 2 New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation, Oct 2009. 3 www.bowelcheck.co.nz, sourced March 2010. 4 TOWER Health & Life claims information over 12 months to Dec 2009. 5 TOWER Health & Life claims information as at Dec 2009.