CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR TO BECOME KEY FACTOR IN PREMIUM RISES

By Nazeer Hoosen, Executive: PPS Short Term Insurance

April 2012: Consumer behaviour is set to become the driving force in premium increases among South African insurers, as companies seek to balance the different risks posed by their pool of policyholders. As a result, it is critical that consumers become more responsible for their own risk mitigation to avoid incurring significant premium increases in the future.

MOTORISTS URGED TO CONSIDER ACCIDENT PROTOCOL OVER EASTER WEEKEND

April 2012: With a total of 203 recorded deaths as a result of fatal motor accidents during the 2011 Easter weekend alone - almost double the 105 reported deaths in 2010 - it is vital that all South African motorists practise safe driving and ensure their motor vehicle insurance cover is up-to-date ahead of the upcoming Easter weekend this year.

 COVER ESSENTIAL FOR EXTREME SPORTS AHEAD OF HEAD INJURY AWARENESS DAY

March 2012: With approximately 89 000 new cases of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) reported in South Africa every year, according to Statistics South Africa, it is essential for people engaging in unusual or extreme sports to ensure that their life insurance and disability policies are up-to-date and covers them in the event of an accident to avoid unnecessary financial strain.

LIFE RISK COVER - A CRITICAL COMPONENT OF FINANCIAL PLANNING

Tamar Lewis, Head of Product Development at PPS

March 2012: With statistics indicating that one in four people will contract some type of cancer in their lifetime the insurance industry has realised the importance of incorporating other types of benefits, such as dread disease, lump sum and income disability benefits, under life risk cover. This is one of the major trends we have seen regarding life risk cover and it is a positive and necessary move to ensure better protection for consumers and their loved ones.

REGULAR SCREENING VITAL IN MITIGATING IMPACT OF KIDNEY DISEASE

March 2012: The prevalence of chronic kidney disease is on the rise both in South Africa and the rest of the continent with international studies showing that cases of the disease are three to four times more frequent in Africa than the developed world. However, regular screening and comprehensive medical cover can mitigate the impact the disease may have on someone’s life.

HAZARDOUS PURSUITS COVER ESSENTIAL FOR SA MOUNTAIN CLIMBER

February 2012: As a business owner, husband and father of two, life and disability cover for avid mountain climber Henk Cronjé was a top priority before embarking on his worldwide mountain climbing expeditions, as it should be for anyone who plans to partake in extreme sports.

TAX BENEFITS FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS NEEDED IN THE BUDGET

February 2012: Innovative changes in South Africa’s current tax structures must be announced in the National Budget in order to encourage a greater number of graduates to pursue scarce skilled professions such as medicine and dentistry.

EARLY DETECTION IS VITAL IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CANCER

February 2012: International statistics show mortality rates for cancer patients have improved dramatically over the past 50 years. The five year survival rate for breast cancer has increased from 60% to 91%; prostate cancer has improved from 43% to 99.9% and malignant melanoma of the skin - the most dangerous form of skin cancer - has improved from 49% to 92.9%.