WHAT DO THE DEATH-CLAIM NUMBERS SAY?

RECENT death-claim numbers released by Momentum, Sanlam and PPS all reflect similar trends and notably correlated numbers.

● The number-one major cause of death claims remains cardiovascular-related diseases, with an average of 38%, followed by cancer, with an average of 27%.

● If current trends continue, the share of cancers attributable to diabetes – either on its own or combined with being overweight – will increase by 30% for women and by 20% for men in less than 20 years.

● Unnatural death claims at Momentum are 9% of the total, of which motor-vehicle accidents are highest, at 40%.

● When it comes to critical illness or dread disease, the numbers swop around and cancer is the major cause of death claims, with a shocking average of 50%, compared with the average of 23% for cardiovascular-related illnesses.

● Critical illness claims vary by age, with the majority being for people aged 40 to 59 years.

● Momentum’s statistics reflect that 64% of critical illness claims are for men, and that most cancer claims are for prostate and breast cancer.

● Sanlam’s critical illness claims highlight that most of the claims for women were for cancer, at 77%, of which 31% were for breast cancer and 5% for melanoma.