FWD Hong Kong launches new Crisis EasyGo series to close protection gap for individuals with critical illness history

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire - 31 October 2024 – FWD Hong Kong ("FWD") unveils its new Crisis EasyGo series of critical illness protection plans, including UCanCover designed specifically for cancer survivors, and UStillCover for those who have suffered from heart diseases or stroke. The plans aim to provide lifetime coverage with limited premium payment terms, addressing the protection gap for those who may otherwise find it difficult to secure critical illness insurance due to pre-existing conditions. This is the first series of participating critical illness protection plans⁵ in Hong Kong offering simplified underwriting¹ for individuals who have been diagnosed with cancer, heart diseases, or stroke.

Individuals who have experienced serious illnesses are among those most in need of health protection. Data shows that cancer survivors had a 42% higher risk of developing incident cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) than those who did not develop cancer⁷, while people with CVDs were 13% more likely to develop cancer than those without CVDs⁸.

Kelvin Yu, Chief Product Officer for FWD Hong Kong & Macau said, "FWD understands the challenges faced by individuals with critical illness history when seeking health protection. The 'FWD Hong Kong Health Protection Needs Survey'⁶ showed that many middle-aged individuals with medical histories find it challenging to obtain critical illness coverage, where some are even discouraged from applying. We are fully committed to addressing our customers' needs, which is why we launched Crisis EasyGo – UCanCover and Crisis EasyGo – UStillCover. These products offer market-first⁵, limited-payment lifetime critical illness protection to address the protection gap for those with pre-existing conditions. With simplified underwriting¹ process, we strive to make it easier for those recovered from cancer, as well as people with a history of heart disease or stroke, to obtain lifetime critical illness coverage and enjoy life with greater peace of mind. We firmly believe that everyone, regardless of their life stage or health status, deserves the opportunity to be protected."

Survey shows chronic illnesses or a history of critical illness presented the most significant challenges to obtaining critical illness protection

The latest "FWD Hong Kong Health Protection Needs Survey"⁶ revealed that 69% of respondents found the process of purchasing critical illness insurance complicated for middle-aged individuals, and 82% believed a medical examination or health report was mandatory before applying. Over half (56%) of the respondents who neither have nor plan to purchase health protection, forgoes critical illness insurance due to chronic illnesses or a history of cancer, heart disease or stroke, leading to complex application processes, exclusions, or denials of coverage. Notably, among respondents with relatives who have chronic illnesses or critical illness history, 63% indicated that their relatives were unable to obtain suitable or any further critical illness coverage after treatment or recovery, highlighting a significant gap in health protection.

Crisis EasyGo – UcanCover and Crisis EasyGo – UStillCover offer the following key features:

1. Protection for up to 115 critical illnesses and special diseases, coverage provided for recovered cancer-suffering organs: UCanCover provides coverage on 62 crises and 53 special diseases, including cancer, carcinoma-in-situ or early stage malignancy of specific organs, heart attack, and stroke for those recovered from cancer. Coverage is also provided for the same organ previously suffered from cancer. UStillCover, specially designed for those who have suffered from heart diseases or stroke, provides coverage on 26 crises including cancer, and 23 special diseases, including carcinoma-in-situ or early-stage malignancy of specific organs^2,3,4.
2. Simplified underwriting, no medical exam required: Applicants only need to answer as few as two underwriting questions¹, the fewest among similar plans in the market. No medical examination is required during the underwriting process, eliminating complicated and lengthy application procedures.
3. Market first⁵ limited-payment period for lifelong protection: Premium payment terms range from 10 to 25 years, with coverage continues until age 100.
4. Biennial free medical check-ups to maintain health conditions, combined with savings element: Medical check-up coupon will be offered on each of the 2^nd, 4^th, 6^th, 8^th, and 10^th Policy Anniversaries of the plans⁹. Additionally, Guaranteed Cash Value and Special Bonus¹⁰ will be offered when the insured surrenders the policy before 100% of the Initial Sum Insured is claimed.

FWD and HKSH Medical Group (HKSH) strengthen partnership to provide professional support for customers' nutritional well-being

FWD partnered with HKSH to provide dietetic consultation to eligible insureds of Crisis EasyGo series in the 2^nd policy year, which includes an initial nutrition assessment and consultation and a follow-up session led entirely by dietitians from HKSH.

Dr. Joseph Chan Woon Tong, Deputy Medical Superintendent, Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital said, "Advances in medicine have continued to improve cancer survival rates, though many survivors continue to experience post-treatment side effects. With that in mind, we are delighted to expand our collaboration with FWD. On top of our existing cancer and rehabilitation planning consultation services, we are pleased to extend our partnership by offering tailored dietetic consultation services for FWD customers. The plan aims to provide comprehensive rehabilitation support for individuals with critical illness history, helping them adopt healthy lifestyles through dietary adjustments on their recovery journey."

Kelvin Yu, Chief Product Officer for FWD Hong Kong & Macau added, "We are committed to actively expanding our network of medical partners and strengthening FWD's cooperation with leading medical institutions like HKSH, to provide customers with professional health support services beyond financial protection."

Crisis EasyGo – UcanCover and Crisis EasyGo – UStillCover: comprehensive critical illness solutions beyond financial protection

The plans do more than offering individuals with critical illness history opportunities for coverage. It also includes the following features:

1. Extended Critical Medical Care Benefit¹¹: If the insured is confined in an Intensive Care Unit ("ICU") for 3 or more consecutive days with the use of invasive life support for the same crisis within one year, the plans provide Extended Critical Medical Care Benefit – extended protection in respect of the same crisis for an additional 50% of the initial sum insured.
2. Life Impact Benefit¹²: If the insured is confined in an ICU for 3 or more consecutive days with the use of invasive life support and experiences specific conditions within the same 120-day period which is caused by the same illness or injury, the plans will offer Life Impact Benefit in respect of an additional 50% or 100% of the Initial Sum Insured.
3. Professional Support from FWD Care and leading medical institutions: FWD partners with leading medical institutions across Asia to provide comprehensive health solutions through PREMIER THE ONEcierge One Team Health Management¹³. This gives the insured access to a network of leading specialists and hospitals throughout the Pan-Asian regions, ensuring they receive the most appropriate care from the best-suited doctors whey they need it. If hospitalisation is required, necessary arrangements can be made with the hospital for confinement. As soon as a designated crisis is diagnosed, a top US medical institution can be referred for a second medical opinion¹⁴. The plans also provide family care services¹⁵ referral to offer additional care at home.

Crisis EasyGo series includes three protection plans: Crisis EasyGo – UPrimeCover, Crisis EasyGo – UCanCover, and Crisis EasyGo – UStillCover. Crisis EasyGo series is underwritten by FWD Life Insurance Company (Bermuda) Limited (incorporated in Bermuda with limited liability) . The above information is for reference only and does not contain the full terms and conditions, key product risks, and full list of exclusions of the policy. For the details of benefits and key product risks, please refer to the policy provisions of the plan and product brochure (https://www.fwd.com.hk/files/v3/assets/blta9d684affff23c8c/blte96c943cd69aa3ef/crisis-easygo-ucancover-ustillcover-en.pdf).

1. The Insured can be covered under Crisis EasyGo – UCanCover or Crisis EasyGo – UStillCover provided that he/she passes the underwriting questions. For relevant underwriting requirements, terms and conditions, please refer to the complete underwriting questions.

2. While this policy is in force, if the Insured has the First Confirmed Diagnosis of Crisis or Special Disease and survives for a period of at least 14 days from the date of the First Confirmed Diagnosis of Crisis or Special Disease, FWD Life Insurance Company (Bermuda) Limited (incorporated in Bermuda with limited liability) ("FWD", "We", "Us" or "Our") will pay to the Policy Owner the Crisis Benefit or Special Disease Benefit (as the case may be).

Upon the payment of claims under Special Disease Benefit or the payment of Crisis Benefit for Cancer during the 2nd and 3rd Policy Year (Applicable to Crisis EasyGo – UCanCover only), the Current Sum Insured of the Policy will be reduced accordingly. Current Sum Insured means the Initial Sum Insured less any claims paid and/or payable for Special Disease Benefit or Crisis Benefit for Cancer during the 2nd and 3rd Policy Year (Applicable to Crisis EasyGo – UCanCover only) under the Policy. Crisis Benefit, Guaranteed Cash Value, future premium and non-guaranteed Special Bonus (if any) will be reduced accordingly. The following payment(s) under each claim of Special Disease Benefit will not be higher than the reduced Current Sum Insured.

3 Applicable to Crisis EasyGo – UCanCover: Each Special Disease is payable once only (except for Angioplasty of Coronary Artery). A maximum of two claims can be made in respect of Angioplasty of Coronary Artery under the Plan. To be eligible for the second claim under Angioplasty of Coronary Artery, the treatment must be performed on a location of stenosis or obstruction in a major coronary artery where no stenosis greater than 60 percent was identified in the coronary angiogram relating to the first claim of this illness, for which benefit has been paid.

Applicable to Crisis EasyGo – UStillCover: Each Special Disease is payable once only (except for Carcinoma-in-situ or Early Stage Malignancy of Specific Organs). A maximum of two claims can be made in respect of Carcinoma-in-situ or Early Stage Malignancy of Specific Organs under the Plan. To be eligible for the second claim under Carcinoma-in-situ or Early Stage Malignancy of Specific Organs, the claims must be a Carcinoma-in-situ or Early Stage Malignancy of one of the covered organs that is different from the organ(s) of the previous claims for which benefit(s) have/has been paid. If the relevant covered organ has both a left and a right component (such as, but not limited to the lungs or breasts), the left side and right side of the organ shall be considered one and the same organ.

4 This Crisis Benefit will be payable until the Aggregate Limit has been reached while this Policy is in force. Once the Aggregate Limit has been reached after the payment of Crisis Benefit and while the Policy is still in force, if the total claims paid of Crisis Benefit and/or Special Disease Benefit under the Policy reach 100% of the Initial Sum Insured, FWD will waive the balance of premium payable under the Policy falling due immediately after the date following the First Confirmed Diagnosis of the Crisis which leads the Total Claims paid under the Policy to reach 100% of the Initial Sum Insured.

5 Per a comparison made on 30 Sep 2024 among the critical illness insurance plans of key insurers available in Hong Kong, FWD is the first insurance company in Hong Kong to launch a participating whole life critical illness plan with Special Disease Benefit, Life Impact Benefit and Extended Critical Medical Care Benefit for those recovered from cancer or suffered from heart diseases or stroke under simplified underwriting approach.

6 FWD commissioned Hong Kong's major lifestyle and health media "ESDlife" to conduct the "FWD Hong Kong Health Protection Needs Survey". The survey was conducted from September to October 2024, interviewed approximately 700 Hong Kong residents aged 30 to 59.

7 Source: JACC Journals, July 2022

8 Source: JACC Journals, August 2023

9 Provided that all premiums are paid when due and the Policy is in force, the Insured is entitled to a maximum of 5 medical check-ups under this Policy offered by third party service providers designated by FWD. The terms and conditions of the check-up service will be determined at the sole discretion of FWD at the time the services are provided. FWD reserves the right to amend or exchange any of the above benefits without prior notice to the Policy Owner and/or the Insured.

10 When the policy has been in effect for 5 years or more, a Special Bonus, which is not guaranteed, may be payable under the policy upon the payment of Crisis Benefit, Death Benefit, Surrender Benefit or Maturity Benefit under the policy, or at the end of the one year reinstatement period if the policy lapses and is not reinstated within that period. A proportionate non-guaranteed Special Bonus, if any, may also be paid upon payment of the Special Disease Benefit. Non-guaranteed Special Bonus (if any) will then be reduced on a pro rata basis accordingly. Non-guaranteed Special Bonus will be payable until Total Claims of Crisis Benefit and/or Special Disease Benefit under the policy reach 100% of the Initial Sum Insured.

11 While this Policy is in force, after Crisis Benefit has been paid or is payable, it becomes Medically Necessary for the Insured to be Confined in an Intensive Care Unit for 3 or more consecutive days with the use of Invasive Life Support in respect of the same covered Crisis, provided that the first day of Confinement of Intensive Care Unit is within 1 year after the date of First Confirmed Diagnosis of such Crisis, FWD shall pay Extended Critical Medical Care Benefit. This benefit will be payable only once under this Policy.

12 This additional benefit amount will not be deducted from the Current Sum Insured. This benefit will be payable only once under this Policy. This benefit will be automatically terminated on the Policy Anniversary immediately preceding the 86th birthday of the Insured.

This benefit is also subject to the following conditions,

1. if (a) any of Crisis Benefit, and (b) Life Impact Benefit are payable by FWD as a result of same incident, FWD will not pay the Life Impact Benefit; and/ or

2. if any preceding claim for illness or Injury has been paid under Crisis Benefit, FWD will not pay the Life Impact Benefit for the same illness or Injury.

13 PREMIER THE ONEcierge is currently provided by third-party service providers HealthMutual Group Limited ("HMG") and its healthcare network team and Parkway Hospitals Singapore ("Parkway") and shall not form a part of the policy or benefit item under the policy provisions. FWD makes no representation, warranty or undertaking as to the availability and quality of the service. FWD shall not accept any responsibility or liability for their services, opinions, treatment, negligence, omission or failure to act by such third-party service providers. FWD reserves the right to terminate or vary the service in its sole discretion without further notice. This service is only available in the Pan-Asia Region. The hotline for PREMIER THE ONEcierge is (852) 8120 9066 for Hong Kong and there is also a toll-free number 400 9303078 for Mainland. For details, please refer to the attached leaflet of FWD Professional Health Assistance Services. FWD does not provide any medical advice and you should consult your own medical advisors for professional advice.

14 The service is currently provided by third-party service provider International SOS and is not guaranteed renewable. FWD makes no representation, warranty or undertaking as to the availability and quality of the service. FWD shall not accept any responsibility or liability for their services, opinions, treatment, negligence, omission or failure to act by such third-party service providers. FWD reserves the right to terminate or vary the service in its sole discretion without further notice. All relevant fees and charges (if any) of this service shall be borne by the Insured solely. Details of the services and service provider may be revised from time to time without giving any notice. For details, please refer to the attached leaflet of FWD Professional Health Assistance Services. FWD does not provide any medical advice and you should consult your own medical advisors for professional advice.

15 The service is currently provided by third-party service provider Aspire Lifestyles ("Aspire") and is not guaranteed renewable. FWD makes no representation, warranty or undertaking as to the availability and quality of the service. FWD shall not accept any responsibility or liability for their services, opinions, treatment, negligence, omission or failure to act by such third-party service providers. FWD reserves the right to terminate or vary the service in its sole discretion without further notice. All relevant fees and charges (if any) of this service shall be borne by the Insured solely. Details of the services and service provider may be revised from time to time without FWD's prior notice. For details, please refer to the attached leaflet of FWD Professional Health Assistance Services. FWD does not provide any medical advice and you should consult your own medical advisors for professional advice.


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About FWD Hong Kong

FWD Hong Kong is part of the FWD Group, a pan-Asian life and health insurance business with more than 12 million customers across 10 markets, including some of the fastest-growing insurance markets in the world. FWD is a top five insurer in Hong Kong*.

FWD Hong Kong has been assigned strong financial ratings by international agencies. It offers life and medical insurance, employee benefits, and financial planning.

The company was established in 2013 and is focused on making the insurance journey simpler, faster and smoother, with innovative propositions and easy-to-understand products, supported by digital technology. Through this customer-led approach, FWD is committed to changing the way people feel about insurance.

For more information about FWD Hong Kong please visit www.fwd.com.hk.

*According to Provisional Statistics on Hong Kong Long Term Insurance Business - January to December in 2023, Insurance Authority of Hong Kong, 《Pi Financial Services Intelligence report》- December 2022 and December 2023, as well as FWD's own assessment based on its understanding on the statistics and market information, FWD ranks top five in new business case count, net growth of life insurance intermediaries' headcount, tied agency channel new business FYP, brokerage channel new business FYP, bancassurance channel new business FYP, as well as online and direct platform new business case count.