The people you love

Medical & health

Who it is forIndividuals, families, employers and groups

Covers hospital stays and, depending on the plan, outpatient care, maternity, dental, optical and chronic-condition care. Limits, waiting periods and treatment of pre-existing conditions differ widely between plans, and those details matter more than the headline price.

Questions we will ask

• Who needs cover, and what are their ages?
• Which hospitals do you want to be able to use?
• What does the plan say about existing conditions, waiting periods and annual limits?

Have ready: Dates of birth for everyone covered, current cover documents, list of preferred facilities.

Personal accident

Who it is forAnyone, and especially people in physical or travel-heavy work

Pays a fixed benefit for accidental death, permanent disability or temporary loss of income after an accident, and often a limited amount for medical costs. It responds to accidents, not illness.

Questions we will ask

• What work do you do, and how do you get there?
• What benefit would your household need to carry on?
• Do you already have medical or life cover?

Have ready: Occupation details, dependants, existing policies.

Life

Who it is forParents, breadwinners, business owners and anyone with dependants or debts

Pays a sum to your beneficiaries if you die. Term policies cover a set period at a lower cost. Whole-life and endowment plans add a savings element, and education policies are built around school fees. We compare the cost of protection against the cost of savings, because bundling them can hide the price of each.

Questions we will ask

• Who depends on your income, and for how many years?
• What debts would your family inherit?
• Are you buying protection, savings or both?

Have ready: Beneficiary details, existing policies, a list of financial commitments.