You have just received the horrible news that you have cancer or some other major illness. Getting better is now your number one concern. A thousand and one questions start to run through your mind: How does this affect your job or your business? How does this affect your family? Where are you going to find the time for treatment? Who is going to look after your responsibilities like working, raising kids, and paying the bills? How long are you going to have to wait for treatment? What is not covered by Provincial Health Plans?
Unfortunately this is an all too common occurrence. The rising rates for heart disease, cancer, Multiple Sclerosis, and many other serious illnesses is causing a lot of worry and financial stress for average Canadians. We like to believe that we are invincible and that it will never happen to us, but the statistics show that it does happen to us, not just other people.
Having to fight a life threatening or altering illness is bad enough on its own, but the stress of unexpected and mounting bills and a decrease or loss of income is a normal addition. The number one reason (68%) for home foreclosures in Canada is major illness or injury. A heart attack or cancer diagnosis could very well lead to a person losing their home.
The good news is there is a product available that gives you the options you need and want should you be diagnosed with a critical illness or serious accident in Canada. Critical Illness insurance pays out a lump sum, tax free benefit that you choose to use however you see fit. If you want to use it to pay for medical care outside of the country, try alternative treatments not covered by Alberta Health, use it to provide an income while you take time off to get well, pay off your mortgage or other debts, invest in your business or elsewhere, or go on a trip around the world the choice is yours.
It is medically underwritten, not financially underwritten, so a lot of people that cannot qualify for disability insurance; like stay at home parents and self employed / small business owners, can qualify for this protection. There is a large selection of critical illness policies available in Canada, but they are not created equal. It is important to know how to evaluate the different options out there before you start paying a premium.
Check in with us next week when we give you the important questions you need to ask to make sure you are getting the right policy to protect you and your family.
“The more serious the illness, the more important it is for you to fight back, mobilizing all your resources-spiritual, emotional, intellectual, physical.”
Norman Cousins
