Our approach to being able to cover contract workers
Most insurers are unable to offer income protection to contract workers due to the likelihood of them earning inconsistently. However, at FMI, we can.
Continue ReadingFMI policyholders Herman and Alta Joubert with their baby boy Stephan (18months old) and the teddy bear given by IFAnet consultant Cindy Loretz before surgery in May 2020.
Continue ReadingMost insurers are unable to offer income protection to contract workers due to the likelihood of them earning inconsistently. However, at FMI, we can.
Continue ReadingWe can now offer cover to a wide range of different freelancers – whether they work consistently every day or not.
Continue ReadingUnpacking the difference between work status and occupation, and how this affects how we assess risk.
Continue ReadingFind out how we're able to cover individuals who traditionally don't qualify for income protection because of the occupation that they perform.
Continue ReadingFind out how your clients' occupation affects their life and income protection premiums, and FMI's approach.
Continue ReadingIt’s usually understood that not everyone pays the same premium for insurance. Here's why.
Continue ReadingWe believe that technology should be used to support an adviser’s advice and servicing processes, not compete with it. This philosophy drives all our innovation at FMI.
Continue ReadingStart seeing life insurance as something that protects your clients in life, not just in death.
Continue ReadingSouth Africans grossly underestimate the risk of temporary illness or injury – and overestimate the risk of permanent disability and death. It may be the reason why they're prioritising the wrong cover.
Continue ReadingTo avoid the insurance gap getting larger, we have a collective responsibility to adapt with the times to support the growing gig economy.
Continue ReadingA look at how technology is shaping the emerging trends influencing the insurance industry.
Continue ReadingThe financial services industry is rated as the least trusted business sector. What drives this negative perception and what can we do about it?
Continue ReadingWhilst students and homemakers don’t earn an income per se, we know the impact they make has huge financial value. Find out how we're able to offer cover to these individuals.
Continue ReadingTattoo artist, Sheldon Shaw, explains the impact of his profession on the lives of others and why he needs income protection to continue making his mark.
Continue ReadingKeeping up with advancing technologies is key to remaining, not just ahead of the game, but in the game.
Continue ReadingAs the digital world facilitates more and more human connections, it’s your ability to leverage these connections that will lead you towards success.
Continue Reading“The full-time job is for me to survive. The part-time job is for me to thrive. And without it, without that income, there is no thriving,” says dual income earner, Yolisa Motha.
Continue Reading“If I don’t work tomorrow, I don’t get paid for tomorrow,” says freelance graphic designer, Isabel Botha. “That’s why my income protection policy is so important to me.”
Continue ReadingBrenda’s business and entrepreneurial spirit fuels thousands of lives by providing household electricity to rural communities previously living without the benefits of such basic infrastructure.
Continue ReadingOwner of Rupping Financial Services, Deon Rupping, is a financial adviser who understands the unique benefits of income protection.
Continue ReadingAs a student, Carmen Kirstein understands that her whole life lies ahead of her. "That's why my FMI Student cover is so important to me - it protects my entire earning potential," she says.
Continue Reading“A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” – Jackie Robinson
Continue ReadingThe more we focus on achieving wellbeing, the more likely we are to improve our overall physical health as well. Here are 10 ways to optimise wellbeing in your daily life:
Continue ReadingIt’s never been a better time to get in touch with your financial adviser to review your goals for the future.
Continue ReadingThe world is changing at a rapid rate. And along with it, changing perceptions to life insurance. Having a better understanding of these markets and being able to provide tailored solutions to meet their particular needs will go a long way in reaping success.
Continue ReadingA child being diagnosed with cancer is every parent’s worst nightmare, the diagnosis can have a significant impact for any family’s emotional and financial wellbeing. And although they may not be able to stop the critical illness, they can be prepared for it. That’s why we take care of the little warriors.
Continue ReadingWe have extended our income protection to cover a wider range of occupations - including independent contractors, those with secondary or multiple occupations, and unorthodox occupations – which previously typically struggled to get income protection elsewhere.
Continue ReadingTaking the time to understand the basic details of your policy and your chosen waiting period upfront will mean a better outcome at claims stage.
Continue ReadingWhen it comes to income benefits, many customers only have temporary income protection, which typically pays for 24 months. But what would happen after the benefit term if a claimant is still unable to work?
Continue ReadingYour relationship building skills have always been your competitive edge, and this has never been more relevant now as clients face economic uncertainty.
Continue ReadingRead about why your clients' occupation affects life cover and income protection premiums differently in our editorial series: A guide to how we assess risk for income protection.
Continue ReadingHere are 6 questions to ask your adviser to ensure you understand your cover.
Continue ReadingYou’ve all taken the necessary precautions when popping out for essential items. But what do you do if you start showing symptoms of having contracted COVID-19?
Continue ReadingIf I get COVID-19, will my income protection or life insurance cover me? And what can I do if I can’t pay my premiums as a result of the pandemic affecting my income? These questions are top of mind right now as the lockdown affects millions of South Africans. Read this article to find out.
Continue ReadingCOVID-19 has had a direct impact on South Africans’ wallets. One way to ease the financial burden if you have disability and life lump sum cover in place is to consider switching to income benefits, because they’re more affordable and come with a host of additional advantages.
Continue ReadingWe sat down with our Senior Technical Marketing Specialist, to gain a better understanding around why Future Insurability is such an essential ingredient to risk planning.
Continue ReadingWe find ourselves in unprecedented times as we spend every moment of our lives at home. For those who can work remotely, here are 8 tips to bring your A-game to your new working environment.
Continue ReadingIt’s usually understood that not everyone pays the same premium for insurance – younger lives are generally healthier and pay less, and it’s understood that smokers pay more. But someone’s occupation is an additional factor that determines the premium they’ll pay for income protection. Here's why.
Continue ReadingAt FMI, we believe that life insurance benefits should protect your income against any life risks that may be thrown at you.
Continue ReadingAre you an Early Earner and just landed your first job? FMI shares 5 easy tips for you to begin your financial journey to success – today.
Continue Reading2020 – the start of a new decade and time for a sharper way of thinking. Top of the agenda for us at FMI (a Division of Bidvest Life Ltd) going into 2020 is to address the alarming number of young professionals currently uninsured in the South African market.
Continue ReadingLife Income benefits offer perfect bespoke short and long-term solutions to complement any Lump Sum cover you may already have in place in order to fulfil individual responsibilities and the needs of dependants.
Continue ReadingIf their monthly income has the potential to provide for all their financial needs, why doesn’t risk planning start here?
Continue ReadingRecommending a lump sum to produce an income is like your clients wanting a red car but suggesting a green one on the premise that they can always have it painted red afterwards.
Continue ReadingThat’s why we talk about ‘Income First’. We’ve got to change the conversation from ‘protecting your life’ to ‘protecting the income you haven’t even had a chance to earn yet’. There is no asset more valuable than your ability to earn an income – and right now, income protection is the biggest gap in most people’s financial plans.
Continue ReadingWe understand, that in practice, there are some hard questions the Income First approach poses for older clients who already have lump sum cover in place. Here's how to address these issues.
Continue ReadingThere is a better way to do life insurance. One that prioritises income benefits over lump sum benefits, one that commits to meeting the needs for which your clients apply for cover in the first place.
Continue ReadingThe progressive approach is to first protect 100% of your hard-earned, monthly income against what’s most likely to happen, which are the risks of injury, illness, or being diagnosed with a critical illness.
Continue ReadingGiven our economic landscape and the financial shortfalls many individuals experience every month, you may resist the idea of Income Protection and view it as just another bill to pay. Read about 3 of the most common misperceptions driving decision-making around Income Protection.
Continue ReadingA simple shift in your risk portfolio can release funds needed to meet the cost increases you may face going into 2020.
Continue ReadingWe believe your income is more than the money you earn - it provides for your lifestyle today and your future plans.
Continue ReadingBe inspired by Denise's story - taking cancer head on with courage and determination.
Continue ReadingWe spoke to Mandy and many others like her, who helped us better understand the real needs of individuals going through a critical illness, such as cancer.
Continue ReadingWe believe there are 4 main reasons why many South African policyholders are unknowingly choosing longer waiting periods, and in most cases unfortunately, to their disadvantage.
Continue ReadingRelying on savings or group schemes is not always the right answer. Ensure you have the right cover in place should you have a temporary injury or illness.
Continue ReadingThe tide is changing. The industry is evolving, as the industry starts to recognise the rising trend to put Income First.
Continue ReadingMany don’t realise that traditional lump sum cover only covers for permanent disability, critical illness or death. It doesn't protect your monthly income from temporary injury or illness.
Continue ReadingWith coffee, commitment and passion anything is possible. Meet Sibu and Edna, our amazing baristas who keep us fuelled and inspired to keep things going throughout the day.
Continue ReadingInvestment and risk planning are inextricably linked. When it comes to financial planning, many South Africans are relying on outdated assumptions to inform their decisions.
Continue ReadingIn this feature we’re showcasing the impact of ordinary South Africans combining passion and purpose to uplift those around them. As a people-centred brand in the business of life insurance, our policyholders have taught us an essential lesson on the importance of our actions.
Continue ReadingAt FMI, purpose comes before profit, and people are at the heart of what we do. In honour of Mandela's centenary birthday, we wanted to do something meaningful, so we undertook a 100-Day Home Makeover of the Vukukhanye Children's Foster Home.
Continue ReadingOur CEO, Brad Toerien, sat down with Cover magazine’s Tony van Niekerk to talk about the importance of Critical Illness cover and what makes FMI’s Critical Illness cover different.
Continue ReadingBreakfast for Boobies, an annual FMI event, has raised more than R35 000 through ticket sales for the PinkDrive, in support of their efforts to increase early breast cancer detection...
Continue ReadingA financial adviser can help you turn your financial dreams into a reality. Here are 7 tips to help you to find a financial adviser you can trust.
Continue ReadingTimothy Makhathini is a self-employed photographer and entrepreneur from Mthunzini, KwaZulu-Natal, who is motivated by a desire to build a better life for his family and leave a legacy for his children.
Continue ReadingMeet FMI employee, Ashley Pheiffer. As a business consultant, Ashley is the face of FMI, and plays a key role in building and maintaining FMI’s relationships with our trusted financial advisers. We chatted to Ashley about his role and life at FMI. Here’s what he had to say.
Continue ReadingStarting your career is a huge milestone. As exciting as it is, it often comes with new challenges and responsibilities. That’s why the beginning of your career is the perfect time to start working…
Continue ReadingTo create wealth, you need to protect wealth. Investment planning relies on your ability to earn an income and risk planning protects that income.
Continue ReadingWe’re so excited to introduce you to our longest-standing employee, Helen Govender. She’s celebrating 20 years at FMI this year. Considering we’re 22 years old, that’s an amazing feat.
Continue Reading2018 has started with a general sense of optimism and excitement for what promises to be a year of positive changes and growth.
Continue ReadingAs a young adult, you probably have a long list of priorities for the future. Perhaps it’s the dream of starting your own business, paying off a new car, or putting down the deposit for a starter home. Usually the last thing on the list is to run out and buy life insurance.
Continue ReadingThere is a general consumer perception that life insurance is complex and expensive and that when you need it most, you have to fight to have your claim paid. As a result, many South Africans are dangerously under-insured. A recent industry study revealed that the average South African only has a third of the cover they need.
Continue ReadingMedical aid covers the doctor and hospital bills when you get sick, but how would you pay the premiums if you were too ill to work and earn an income?
Continue ReadingHow long could you survive without an income? What would the consequences be to you and all those who depend on you? "These are the questions that every breadwinner in each household across South Africa and anyone earning an income needs to ask," says FMI CEO Brad Toerien.
Continue ReadingAt FMI, we believe your greatest asset is your ability to earn an income and that all life insurance benefits should protect that income asset. Our business’ core passion is around protecting people’s plans and dreams by developing insurance products that provide them with an income if they’re unable to work in the event of injury, illness or death.
Continue Reading