Contact
Search
Close

Popular searches

  • Home
  • Severe Illness Cover

Severe Illness Cover

Recover without financial shortfalls

Get a quote
Young boy cuddling his father
severe illness cover

Life doesn't pause when a severe illness strikes

Investec Life’s Severe Illness Cover (also known as dread disease or critical illness cover) offers a tax-free lump-sum payout if you're diagnosed with a severe illness like a heart attack, stroke, or cancer. It helps you cover the financial gaps in your treatment, allowing you to access high-cost advanced treatments, make lifestyle changes, supplement potential income losses, and get the right support in place to ensure you can focus on what matters most – your recovery.

 

  • Why do you need this cover?

    Despite our best efforts to be proactive about our health, regardless of age, a severe illness can still arrive uninvited through genetics, environmental factors, or simply changes in cellular biology. That's why our cover was designed with input from medical specialists within the industry to ensure cover is comprehensive, and future-proof.

  • When does it pay out?

    Severe Illness Cover pays out if you’re diagnosed with a severe illness or experience a trauma-related injury. Payouts range from 5% to 100% of your cover amount, depending on the severity and impact of the condition, and are assessed using objective medical criteria across multiple categories of illness.

    The cover also includes additional protection for conditions that affect your ability to perform everyday activities, even where standard medical criteria may not apply. For certain categories, cover may automatically reinstate after a claim, helping protect against future unrelated severe illness events.

You’re probably thinking

“I have medical aid and gap cover, so I’m covered.”

But when a severe illness strikes, families soon discover that significant gaps can arise between the financial impact of an illness, and what is covered by medical aid. This is when Severe Illness Cover steps in – exactly when you need it most.

Read more
Severe Illness Cover benefits
Early treatment

You’re covered for early-stage cancers (precancerous cells or stage 0 cancer) allowing for early diagnosis and treatment.

Cover for unknown future illnesses

Covid-19 was a reminder to the world that many illnesses are novel and unexpected. We include automatic cover for future unknown severe illnesses.

Comprehensive

We offer multiple payouts in line with the progression of an illness. You can claim up to 100% of your total cover amount for up to three unrelated conditions within three major categories.

The video on this page contains factual information and should therefore not be regarded as financial advice.

Download our Severe Illness Cover brochure PDF 797.66 KB

Get a quote or apply now

If you are an Investec Private Banking client, you can get a quote or apply for our life insurance solutions via Investec Online or the Investec App. Simply navigate to the "Insure" tab in the main menu to get started.

default-zebra-5
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • What is dread disease cover?

    Dread disease cover (also known as severe illness cover) protects you and your family against the financial impact of being diagnosed with a critical illness such as cancer, a heart condition or stroke. Treating and managing a severe illness typically costs a lot more than most people expect. It may include the costs of recuperation and funding for a change in lifestyle, both of which are essential for optimal recovery.

  • What dread diseases are covered?

    Investec’s Life Severe Illness Cover offers up to 100% cover on illnesses within the following categories:

    • Cardiovascular*
    • Cancer*
    • Cerebrovascular and central nervous system*
    • Respiratory
    • Gastroenterology
    • Kidney – Urogenital
    • Visual
    • Ear, nose, throat
    • Endocrine
    • Connective tissue disorder and autoimmune disorder
    • Musculoskeletal
    • Trauma
    • HIV
    • Catch All

    * Cover reinstates up to 300% for unrelated conditions within this category. 

  • Do I need dread disease cover?

    Dread disease cover protects you financially against a range of conditions. It helps you cover those costs that may not fall under your medical aid cover, such as some advanced high-cost treatments, travel costs to get to a specialist clinic, rehabilitation and life adjustments; many of which fall outside most medical aid plans.

  • How much dread disease cover do I need?

    The amount of cover you need is based on a number of things including your financial situation and your overall health. Talk to your financial adviser or one of our Investec advisers to understand the amount of cover you need based on your unique situation. Unlike many other insurers, Investec Life’s Severe Illness Cover is a separate benefit from life cover, ensuring that any claims do not reduce the amount of cover you have under your life cover benefit.

  • How long does dread disease cover last?

    Investec Life’s Severe Illness Cover (also known as dread disease cover) continues for the duration of the client’s life, so you are covered as long as your premiums are maintained. 

Let's talk

If you don’t have a Private Bank Account, please complete the form below

Please complete all sections below so we get a better understanding of how we can assist you

* indicates required field.
Enter your name here *

This information is required

Minimum characters 1

This is a required field

Enter your surname here *

This information is required

Minimum characters 1

This is a required field

Enter your primary contact number here *

This information is required

Minimum characters 1

This is a required field

Enter your primary email here *

This information is required

Minimum characters 1

This is a required field

How would you prefer us to contact you? *

This field is required

I am: *

This field is required

I am: *

This field is required

Please enter your occupation *

This information is required

Minimum characters 1

I confirm that: *

This field is required

I am interested in: * (You may select more than one)

This information is required

This field is required

 

Statutory information and disclaimer

Investec Life Limited, a member of the Investec Group, is a licensed Life Insurance Company (Reg.No. 1944/017130/06) and an authorised Financial Services Provider (FSP number 47702).

With the Protection of Personal Information Act in effect, please take a moment to review Investec’s Data Protection Statement so that you understand how Investec processes your personal information and the rights you have in relation to your personal information

Please complete all required fields before sending.

Thank you for completing the form

Someone from the team will be in touch soon

Sorry there seems to be a technical issue

You may also be interested in:

Father and son carrying fishing rods walking over a wooden bridge

Income Protection Cover

Pays you a salary while you recover

Protect your ability to earn an income if you are unable to work due to an illness or injury. Income Protection Cover helps you meet monthly financial commitments with cover of up to 100% of your net of tax income. You are also protected for both temporary and permanent disabilities.

Learn more
Disabled female surfer at the beach

Disability Cover

Enabling your lifestyle adjustment


When the unexpected happens and you’re forced to adapt, financial worries should be the last thing on your mind. We will pay you a lump sum to help you cover expensive rehabilitation or changes to your home and lifestyle so you can focus on recovery.

Learn more
Father and son adding shaving foam

Life Cover

Let your legacy be their future

Even in your absence, you can ensure your loved ones live an extraordinary life, enabling them to maintain their lifestyle, assets and aspirations. To make things easier, we’ll pay your family up to R100,000 within two business days while we assess the claim.

Learn more
Father and son carrying fishing rods walking over a wooden bridge

Income Protection Cover

Pays you a salary while you recover

Protect your ability to earn an income if you are unable to work due to an illness or injury. Income Protection Cover helps you meet monthly financial commitments with cover of up to 100% of your net of tax income. You are also protected for both temporary and permanent disabilities.

Learn more
Disabled female surfer at the beach

Disability Cover

Enabling your lifestyle adjustment


When the unexpected happens and you’re forced to adapt, financial worries should be the last thing on your mind. We will pay you a lump sum to help you cover expensive rehabilitation or changes to your home and lifestyle so you can focus on recovery.

Learn more
Father and son adding shaving foam

Life Cover

Let your legacy be their future

Even in your absence, you can ensure your loved ones live an extraordinary life, enabling them to maintain their lifestyle, assets and aspirations. To make things easier, we’ll pay your family up to R100,000 within two business days while we assess the claim.

Learn more
Statutory information

Investec Life Limited, a member of the Investec Group, is a licensed Life Insurance Company and an authorised Financial Services Provider (FSP number 47702). Terms and conditions apply.