[Critical Illness Insurance] Hong Kong’s first to extend cover to the family, supporting three generations’ health with ease

“Supporting those above and caring for those below” is a true reflection of life for people in their thirties and forties at the peak of their careers. If you or a family member unfortunately develops a serious illness, the financial burden involved should not be overlooked. Traditional critical illness insurance focuses on the insured person, but FWD Hong Kong Insurance (hereinafter referred to as “FWD”) has recently launched 危疾應援保/危疾應援保（升級版）及危疾應援保/危疾應援保（升級版）- 童步守護 (unless otherwise specified, hereinafter collectively referred to as the “FWD Crisis U Supporter Series”), introducing a number of first-in-Hong Kong features (Note 1) to provide appropriate protection upon diagnosis of specified critical illnesses.

危疾應援保/危疾應援保（升級版） offers Family Plus Protection (optional benefit), truly extending personal protection to the family, safeguarding you, your parents and your children. In addition, FWD has also introduced 危疾應援保/危疾應援保（升級版）- 童步守護, allowing unborn babies to enjoy protection immediately after birth (Note 2), including congenital conditions that may later develop into covered illnesses in life.

The previous generation put family first and devoted their whole lives to it. Many people only begin to pay attention to their own health after having children. However, as they get older, their medical history also becomes more extensive, making it difficult to take out critical illness insurance. Some older people may be refused cover by insurers, or may not be insured for certain serious critical illnesses, such as cancer, acute myocardial infarction and stroke (“the 3 major illnesses”).

FWD previously conducted the Greater Bay Area Health Protection Survey and found that 76% of Hong Kong respondents expect their own and their family’s medical expenses to increase by more than 20% over the next 10 years, which will place considerable financial pressure on them. They also expect the highest expense item to be critical illness or serious disease treatment, such as the treatment costs for the 3 major illnesses. In view of this, FWD has thoughtfully considered customers’ needs. Under Home Care Guardian (Optional Benefits) (only applicable to Crisis U-Plan / Crisis U-Plan Plus (Upgraded Version)), additional cover for the 3 major illnesses is provided for the insured person’s parents, while the insured person’s children are provided with critical illness cover for 62 critical illnesses.

It is worth noting that Home Care Guardian is an optional value-added benefit with a simple application process. The insured person’s parents and children do not need to answer medical underwriting questions or undergo medical examinations. Even if the parents are as old as 76 at the time of application (attained age at next birthday), or have common conditions among older people such as chronic illnesses like high blood pressure or diabetes, have had coronary artery bypass graft surgery, or the children have congenital conditions, they can still be covered. At the same time, the insured person’s existing cover will not be affected.

Additionally, FWD has partnered with the Ageing Society Association to offer eligible customers of 危疾應援保/危疾應援保（升級版） the option to purchase the One Link Smart Care® App (Note 3) for one year at a promotional price of HK$1 during the promotion period, for use by the policyholder or one of their spouse’s parents. Key features of the app include medication reminders, outpatient appointment booking, emergency support, real-time information and more, helping to protect the health of elderly family members in an intelligent and convenient way. Click here to learn more about the service details.

Welcoming a new life brings endless joy to a family. Even if you are unfortunately diagnosed with a critical illness, it does not mean you have to stop your family planning. After the critical illness benefit or the multiple benefits for specified critical illnesses under the 富衛危疾應援保系列 has been paid, if the insured person has undergone fertility treatment out of medical necessity as a result of the diagnosis of that critical illness, the plan will pay an infertility treatment benefit equal to 10% of the original sum insured (Note 4).

The rehabilitation treatment period for the three major critical illnesses is lengthy, yet most products on the market generally provide ongoing financial support for cancer only. However, the 富衛危疾應援保系 extends cover to acute myocardial infarction and stroke, providing the insured with an enhanced safety net. If the insured is unfortunately diagnosed with one of the three major critical illnesses, after receiving the critical illness benefit or multiple benefit payout for specified critical illness, the three major critical illnesses cash benefit (Note 5) will provide annual or monthly cash protection for a specified period.

Medical science is advancing day by day. Diseases that could not previously be cured may now be treated or alleviated through experimental drugs (see related News 1 and News 2). However, such drugs are expensive and may not be affordable for everyone. Therefore, 危疾應援保（升級版）/危疾應援保（升級版）- 童步守護 offers enhanced medical benefits for specified critical illnesses: if the insured is unfortunately diagnosed with cancer, Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson's disease, and, due to medical necessity, is prescribed an experimental drug to treat the disease within two years from the date of first confirmed diagnosis, FWD will reimburse the reasonable and customary costs of the experimental drug on an indemnity basis, subject to a limit of 20% of the original sum insured (Note 6).

FWD Critical Illness Support Series offers broad protection, covering 62 critical illnesses and providing a safeguard against 65 specified illnesses, including 12 illness benefits specially designed for children. The plan further extends coverage to unknown illnesses, serving as a strong support for both adults and children. It can pay up to 7 instalments of specified critical illness multiple benefits (up to 990% of the original sum insured) (Note 7), while the total benefits of Crisis U-Protector (Enhanced) / Crisis U-Protector (Enhanced) - Child Protection can reach over 1,400% of the original sum insured (Note 8).

FWD is fully supporting the health of you and your family. If you successfully apply for the 富衛危疾應援保系列 on an annual premium basis on or before 30 June 2023, you can enjoy four months’ premium rebate. Act now to save on premiums and gain protection. Offers are subject to terms and conditions.

Notes:

1. As of 31 March 2023, compared with critical illness insurance products offered by major insurers in Hong Kong, FWD is the first insurer in Hong Kong to introduce infertility treatment benefits, the 3 Critical Illness Cash Benefit, the Critical Illness Medical Rider Benefit for designated critical illnesses, the Extended Major Medical Care Benefit, and Family Protector (optional benefit). 
2. The benefits under the policy will apply after the baby is born and has become the insured person, and will take effect 90 days after the policy issue date or on the baby’s date of birth, whichever is later. If the insured person is a baby, (i) if the first signs or symptoms of the relevant disease or condition, or diagnosis or surgery related to the relevant disease or condition, occur within 90 days from the later of the policy issue date or the baby’s date of birth, any benefits payable under Crisis Supporter / Crisis Supporter (Enhanced) - Child Care Protector will be reduced to 20% of the amount otherwise payable. Critical illness benefits, special disease benefits and major medical care benefits will continue to be payable until the aggregate limit is reached. The existing sum insured under this policy will be reduced accordingly when critical illness benefits, special disease benefits and major medical care benefits are paid. Death benefit, critical illness benefits, guaranteed cash value, future premiums and special bonus (if any) will also be reduced accordingly. Each critical illness under the critical illness benefits can only be claimed once. (ii) If a newborn baby dies within 180 days from the later of the policy issue date or the date of birth, the death benefit payable under Crisis Supporter / Crisis Supporter (Enhanced) - Child Care Protector will be reduced to 20% of the amount otherwise payable. (iii) The multiple benefits for designated critical illnesses are only applicable after the critical illness benefit has been paid and the total claim amount has reached 100% of the original sum insured. 
3. This offer is arranged by FWD and provided by Senior Citizen Home Safety Association and its team (if any), and does not form part of the policy benefits or coverage of the designated insurance product. The service content above is for reference only; depending on the service used, subscribers may be required to pay additional fees. Senior Citizen Home Safety Association and its team (if any) are not employees, agents or representatives of FWD, and FWD shall not be responsible or liable for the services or opinions, acts, negligence or omissions provided by them. FWD or Senior Citizen Home Safety Association has the right to replace the One-Call Smart Care® APP with another similar product without prior notice. 
4. This benefit will only be paid once under this policy. This benefit will terminate on the policy anniversary immediately before the insured person’s 46th birthday.
5. This 3 Critical Illness Cash Benefit can be claimed up to 2 times under this policy, while the 3 Critical Illness Cash Benefit for cancer and the 3 Critical Illness Cash Benefit for acute myocardial infarction or stroke will each be paid only once under this policy, regardless of how many times the insured person may suffer from cancer, acute myocardial infarction or stroke. This benefit will terminate on the policy anniversary immediately before the insured person’s 86th birthday.
6. Only one insured critical illness will be paid under this policy. This benefit will terminate on the policy anniversary immediately before the insured person’s 86th birthday. The maximum claim amount per insured person across all policies under the Crisis Supporter series is HK$400,000 / US$50,000 per claim. 
7. If the critical illness benefit has been paid, and the insured person is subsequently diagnosed with cancer, acute myocardial infarction or stroke, or is first diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, kidney failure or Parkinson’s disease, the 1st and 2nd claims will each be 120% of the additional original sum insured, while the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th claims will each be 150% of the additional original sum insured. No more than 7 claims may be paid in total under this benefit, subject to the relevant terms and conditions (including the waiting period).
8. The coverage amount can be as high as 1407% of the original sum insured, assuming Crisis Supporter (Enhanced) (without Family Protector) or Crisis Supporter (Enhanced) – Child Care Protector is applied for in respect of an insured person aged 35 or below (age next birthday). The calculation includes the critical illness benefit (100%), multiple benefits for designated critical illnesses (up to 990%), extra protection benefit (up to 75%), 3 Critical Illness Cash Benefit (up to 31% (or 62% for the enhanced version)), Life Protector Benefit (up to 100%), infertility treatment benefit (10%), Critical Illness Medical Rider Benefit for designated critical illnesses (enhanced version only) (up to 20%), and Extended Major Medical Care Benefit (enhanced version only) (50%). If Crisis Supporter (without Family Protector) or Crisis Supporter – Child Care Protector is applied for in respect of an insured person aged 35 or below (age next birthday), the coverage amount can be as high as 1306% of the original sum insured.

Disclaimer

1. This advertisement material is sponsored by FWD and is for general reference only. The product information above does not include the full policy terms and is subject to the terms and conditions of the relevant plan. For details of the product features, benefits, full terms, exclusions and key product risks, please refer to the FWD website, the relevant product brochure and the policy terms. Any promotional offers or marketing materials should be read together with the relevant product brochure. Customers must successfully pass financial needs analysis to confirm that the recommended insurance product meets their insurance needs.
2. Last updated: 6 June 2023.

This English version of this article has been generated by machine translation powered by AI. It is provided solely for reference purposes. In the event of any discrepancy or inconsistency between this translation and the original Chinese version, the Chinese version shall prevail.