I was recently reading an article about actor, James Van Der Beek– age 47, talking about the financial toll that cancer takes on patients including himself.  He is married with 6 children ages 14-3.

I did a quick search and found that his net worth is estimated to be around $8 million. If he’s concerned about the financial impact of cancer, imagine the strain it puts on families with much less. This is why having a Critical Illness policy is so crucial. It can be a key part of your financial foundation. While some might not worry about long-term disability, the fear of a cancer diagnosis is real. A Critical Illness policy can help cover all your health insurance deductibles, so you don’t have to dip into your savings.

Cancer can hit anyone, does not matter about your health.  Van Der Beek said, “I’d always associated cancer with age and with unhealthy, sedentary lifestyles. But I was in amazing cardiovascular shape. I tried to eat healthy — or as far as I knew it at the time.”

A Critical Illness policy can keep your financial house from crumbling down.

How can you go from throwing a football in the spring of 2002 to having the most painful condition known to medicine, with your life forever changed? Alex Hankin Hart ended up with a fractured finger, sprained wrist, and damaged rotator cuff. After being in a cast and having it removed, she went to wash her hands, and the next thing she knew, everything went black. She had passed out from the pain of washing her hands.

She was diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), a poorly understood form of pain that is severe, chronic, and debilitating. Although most cases are triggered by an injury, the resulting pain is much more severe and long-lasting than normal. CRPS makes her skin feel like it’s on fire on the inside yet freezing cold on the outside. Though CRPS typically affects the body part or region that was injured, hers has progressed to encompass her entire body.

An estimated 200,000 Americans are struggling with this condition, which the McGill Pain Index lists as the most painful condition known to medicine. It is considered more painful than fibromyalgia or giving birth — even more painful than amputating a finger without anesthesia.

There is no cure for CRPS. Even worse, doctors can’t seem to agree on what causes it.

From her FB: I’m amazed I was able to go from being at this point in my life to being able to hold down a part-time job where I walk the equivalent of 1.5mi/day without a cane.

Yes, I’m still in pain but ketamine infusions every 6 weeks and remembering to do at least some of the stuff I learned at Cleveland Clinic have been literal life savers.  Last year was a “good year” because we “only” paid $10,000 out of pocket for my medical appointments, prescriptions and one round of ketamine infusions. I spent an additional $5,200 on medical cannabis.

Imagine not being able to work for over 20 years or even having to work part-time. It’s a disability that isn’t visible.   This does not show up on an X-Ray or MRI, it is not easy to prove.  She ‘only’ had to spend $10,000 out of pocket for her medical appointments. How much of her savings do you think she has used? CRPS makes working nearly impossible.

Disability insurance should be a part of every working person’s budget. You never know what life will bring or how long a disability might last.  Protect your income!

Have you ever considered what would happen if you became disabled and didn’t have disability insurance?

When people become disabled and their incomes stop, they often face a range of significant challenges:

Financial Hardship: Many disabled individuals experience a sharp decline in income, leading to difficulties in affording basic necessities like food, housing, and healthcare.
Increased Medical Expenses: Disabilities often come with high medical costs, including ongoing treatments, medications, and adaptive equipment. These expenses can rapidly drain savings and heighten financial stress.
Employment Barriers: Finding and maintaining employment can be challenging due to physical limitations, discrimination, and lack of workplace accommodations. This can additionally restrict their income and career prospects.
Social Isolation: Disabilities can lead to social isolation due to mobility issues, lack of accessible transportation, and societal stigma. This isolation can negatively impact mental health and overall well-being.
Dependence on Benefits: Many rely on government benefits, which can be insufficient and come with strict eligibility criteria.

These challenges highlight the importance of comprehensive support systems and policies to help disabled individuals maintain their quality of life and financial stability.

Professional golfer Jeffrey Guan, age 20, recently faced an unimaginable setback that will impact his life both on and off the course. However, he is determined not to let it stop him from pursuing his dream of becoming a household name in the sport.

Guan made his PGA Tour debut in September at the Procore Championship. Just a week later, during a qualifier, he was struck in the left eye by an errant tee shot. He was immediately taken to a local hospital for surgery and then airlifted to another hospital, where he spent two weeks in intensive care.

Despite prompt medical attention, Guan suffered multiple fractures around his left eye socket and completely lost vision in the eye. He faces an estimated six to twelve months of healing and recovery, with doctors advising that he cannot even think about swinging a golf club for at least six months. Additionally, he is likely to undergo more surgeries in the coming months to repair the damage around his left eye.

For athletes, we rely on Lloyd’s of London. Regardless of their age, athletes are not immune to disabilities and need protection. This includes student-athletes with NIL deals, as that income should be safeguarded with disability insurance.

Young people also need disability insurance. Their premiums are typically very affordable due to lower risk, but the risk still exists. And underwriting is more simplified.

Did you know? Disability insurance goes beyond the physical: It also protects against mental health challenges and chronic illnesses that could keep you from your work. Stay covered on all fronts!

Accidents happen…hope she had disability insurance.

Six-time Olympic cycling champion Chris Hoy, age 48, revealed Saturday that he has terminal cancer and has been told by doctors he has “two to four years” to live.  A scan revealed primary cancer in his prostate which metastasised to his shoulder, pelvis, hip, spine and ribs.

Combining Critical Illness insurance and Individual Disability insurance can provide a robust financial safety net in case of serious health issues or injuries. Here’s why:

                Critical Illness – Lump Sum payments and coverages for major illnesses

Individual Disability Insurance – To have Income replacement in case you cannot work while getting treatment due to the cancer. You also have long-term income security.

By combining the two, the Critical Illness coverage can help your finances while you go through your Individual Disability Insurance elimination period.  Together, these insurances cover both immediate and ongoing financial needs, helping you manage large medical expenses and maintain your standard of living.

By having both types of insurance, you can better safeguard your finances against the unpredictable nature of serious health issues and disabilities.

Becoming disabled can limit your earning potential. Avoid the scary stuff.

Singer-songwriter Matthew Sweet, age 60, suffered a debilitating stroke while on tour in mid-October.

He will be at a specialized rehabilitation center, where he will receive around-the-clock care and therapy for six weeks. He will then require months of treatment and rehabilitation that we hope will lead to a full recovery. Needless to say, the costs for all of this treatment will be overwhelming. We anticipate a total close to a quarter of a million dollars.

As we age, the likelihood of experiencing health issues that could impact our ability to work increases. Despite this, many older adults overlook the importance of individual disability insurance. Here are several reasons why maintaining this coverage is crucial, even in later years.

-Financial Security

-Protection Against Unexpected Health Issues

-Maintaining Quality of Life

-Peace of Mind

With anticipated costs up to $250k in medical expenses, how long would a life-time of savings last under those expected bills? Individual Disability Insurance would help the monthly income coming in and help pay those future bills and not deplete a life-time of saving.

Residual coverage is a valuable benefit for individuals returning to work after a disability. One can receive a portion of their benefits even if they can only work part-time or with reduced duties. It can help bridge the income gap caused due to reduced earning capacity, making the transition back to work smoother and more sustainable.

Give us a call and we can help you determine if this is a benefit you can include in your plan.