Simon Read: Women make more claims but have less cover

The people's champion

Simon Read
Friday 06 September 2013 18:44 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

There's a gender imbalance when it comes to taking out protection insurance, according to Friends Life.

The insurer analysed its customers to discover that while women hold only 42 per cent of critical-illness policies, they accounted for 51 per cent of all critical-illness claims made last year.

That points towards a general undervaluing of the importance of a woman's role, maybe even by women themselves.

Protection insurance can seem expensive, especially when times are tight, but it can be invaluable when dreadful things happen. Getting a largish cash sum can help ease financial worries caused by a cancer diagnosis, for instance.

If a woman is the family breadwinner, sorting out good protection cover – if you can afford it – is important. If both partners in a family are working, then each separate income may be crucial, too, and should be protected. Women who have no cover should think about getting it.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in