There is a common saying which reminds us that life is short, therefore you have to enjoy it. It is indeed true. However, with all its uncertainties and the financial strains these uncertainties can bring, it could stop you from living it all up.

Statistics have shown that 80,000 new cases of cancer are diagnosed every year which means one out of three men and one out of four women suffer from cancer. If that isn’t enough, two out of five people suffer from coronary disease and one Australian dies every ten minutes of cardiovascular disease. And by 2021, 18% of the total Australian population will have suffered a certain type of arthritis.

If you focus on these numbers, you might be thinking that it is getting more frightening to live these days. However, Australians are generally optimistic about the future thinking that it won’t happen to them.

Being optimistic or unaffected by these things is good. It might be wise, though, to have protective cover so that you really can stay positive – it makes you ready for whatever the future brings.

What does Trauma Protection Do?

Trauma Protection, like the Zurich Trauma Protection Insurance Cover, pays a lump sum if you are diagnosed or are suffering from critical illness. It covers around 40 or 50 types of critical illness, although the definition or inclusion might vary from provider to provider. That is why it is very important to ask your insurance provider what their definition of critical illness is.

Moreover, the lump sum you will receive can help you pay for medical and rehabilitation expenses. It can also help you adjust smoothly as your lifestyle changes because of the illness. Most importantly, the money you get can be used t pay off your debts making your transition easier and less stressful.

Trauma Insurance highly benefits those who can’t afford ordinary income protection, or those who have a family history of a specific illness or condition.

Why Choose Zurich Trauma Protection Insurance?

With a history of providing general insurance solutions to Australians since 1872, Zurich has been one of the market leaders in the insurance industry. It has also offered services which are considered as firsts, such as:

• The first insurance provider in Australia to automatically provide flood cover in their Business Insurance policies, and
• Became the first local insurance provider in 2003 to launch a full end-to-end, web-based commercial policy processing system called the Z-Stream.

But more than the reputation, the company offers flexible trauma insurance cover in their Zurich Trauma Protection Insurance policy: the Basic Trauma Cover and the Extended Trauma Cover.

Basic Trauma Cover

• Under the Basic Trauma Cover, you are provided cover from 12 serious illnesses which includes heart attack, stroke, speech impairment, and cancer. In addition, there are certain built-in features, like the Funeral Benefit which could pay up to a maximum of $5,000. It also has a Paralysis Booster Benefit which pays double the amount of the Trauma Cover if you suffer from paralysing illness, such as paraplegia. Moreover, it has other optional benefits which could provide additional cover as you need would dictate.

Extended Trauma Cover

• It has the all the features of the Basic Trauma Cover with additional built-in features. If the Basic Cover gives you coverage for 12 types of illnesses, the Extended Cover provides coverage for 38 types, such as chronic lung disease, major head trauma, and aorta repair. It also has a Double Trauma Option and Top-Up Option.
• Both the Basic and Extended Cover have up to $2 million in cover. It also has a Financial Planning Advice Benefit which pays $1,000 if you sought financial advice after you received the payment of a benefit.
• Other additional built-in and optional benefits of the Zurich Trauma Insurance are as follows:

Inflation Protection

• The cost of goods and services are always increasing and if your benefit amount remains the same as it is today, when it is paid out in 10, 20 or 30 years time, it may not be as valuable. However, with the Inflation Protection benefit, your cover is automatically increased in line with the Consumer Price Index.

Future Insurability Benefit

• Zurich also understands your growing needs, so the built-in Future Insurability Benefit allows you to increase your cover in the event of marriage, birth of a new child, an increase in salary without providing any additional medical proof.

Interim Cover

• This cover is given for 90 days for accidental death or accidental injury while your application is being evaluated.

Business Cover Option

• That your business would need additional cover is a big possibility; thus, this option allows you to increase the cover for your business without further evaluation of your health.

Trauma Reinstatement Option

• This option is available under the Extended Trauma Cover. It allows you to reinstate or restore your trauma cover after claiming a partial trauma benefit.

Top Up Option

If you have this option in your policy, it increases the partial trauma benefit you will receive by 25% of the sum insured or up to a maximum of $50,000.

There are still a lot of built-in and optional features and benefits the Zurich Trauma Protection Cover has. If you want to learn more, you can ask a financial adviser to help you devise a strategy that would work with your budget and needs.

The Zurich Trauma Protection Cover provides you with a way how to prepare for the uncertainties of the future. It is better to go through life with sufficient cover than be exposed and regret your cynicism later.