Getting engaged is a momentous occasion and brings with it the excitement of planning your wedding. However, before you make that commitment, there are a few “ifs and buts” you need to consider, such as your marital contract and how it affects you in future. There are three different marital contracts: in community of property,…
When Chantal Ogle returned to work after the December holiday and was told that the IT company she works for was no longer considered part of the holding company’s “core business”, she was taken by surprise. However, she soon realised that she would be able to use this opportunity to set herself up as an…
The sad truth is that a rising mortality rate among breadwinners combined with the high cost of funerals and low funeral policy premiums has led to an increased uptake of funeral insurance products. But wait. You need to be aware of what you are buying and ensure that the product you pay for is legit. So,…
A financial needs analysis is carried out by a qualified financial planner to ascertain the current state of your finances and your financial needs. It is not an invasion of your privacy but ensures that you are not sold any particular financial product without an overall assessment of your finances. For example, 20 years ago,…
Dealing with a financial services company when you have a complaint can be a time consuming and sometimes frustrating experience. But there is help at hand, which is also free of charge. There is a range of financial services ombudsmen offices in South Africa, each of which specialises in complaints related to a specific sector.…
When you sit down to calculate how much life assurance and disability assurance you actually need, Sneddon advises that you consider the following: Life assurance: What is the financial risk at death? For example, if you are the sole bread winner and have a spouse with two young kids as well as some debt, such…
It’s key to always assess your long-term insurance requirements, writes Neesa Moodley-Isaacs. A recent survey by the life assurance industry revealed a startling gap of R24 trillion between the amount of life and disability cover that people have taken in South Africa vs. what they actually need. However, before you panic, you need to make…
On World Aids Day today, we look at how the life assurance industry has changed its approach to this illness. An increase in research and a reduced stigma around HIV has resulted in a revision of life assurance products available to HIV-positive clients. Liberty recently announced that its flagship life product, Lifestyle Protector, is now…
Long-term insurance products, which include life assurance, disability assurance and funeral cover, can be complicated. When disputes arise between assurers and consumers, it is almost always when policyholders want to claim their benefits. Here’s how you can seek redress if you have a dispute with a life assurance company. If you have a dispute with…
When drawing up your financial plan and choosing life assurance products, you should work out how much life and disability cover you need. It is imperative you do this so that your dependants are not left with an income shortfall should you die or become disabled. There are various factors you have to take into…
