Concerning rise in murder and mental health claims, says life insurer Momentum.

Loading player...
GUEST – George Kolbe, Head of Life Insurance Marketing at Momentum

Cardiovascular diseases reclaimed a previously held position as the leading cause of death claims for Momentum in 2022, but the life insurer has also seen a concerning rise in unnatural deaths, notably murder, especially among men. Announcing its 2022 statistics on Friday, Momentum's head of life insurance marketing, George Kolbe, said the insurer received some breathing space during the year as Covid-19-related claims abated, reducing the group's overall claims by 31% from 2021. But as the virus moved down the ranks, unnatural deaths claims moved up.

Men accounted for 82% of Momentum's unnatural death claims, which include accidents - mostly motor vehicle-related - as well as murder, suicide and surgery complications. But while car accidents accounted for most unnatural deaths among its clients, the biggest jump year-on-year was cases attributable to murder, which surged by 72% from 2021.

Suicides decreased by 7%. Accidents claimed just over a third of those who received payouts, followed by murder (20%) and suicide (19%). But for clients younger than 30, motor accidents are even more of a concern, claiming 67% of lives lost through unnatural causes.

While Covid-19 accounted for 12% of Momentum's death claims in 2022, unnatural death claims increased by 11% year-on-year, representing 11% of all pay-outs. It was ranked in the fourth spot for causes of death claims.
10 Jul 2023 4PM English South Africa Business News · Investing

Other recent episodes

South Africa's Car Buyers Defy Economic Pressure

Despite higher interest rates, rising fuel prices and growing living costs, South Africa's vehicle market continues to show remarkable resilience. Thanda Sithole, Senior Economist at FNB and WesBank, unpacks what strong vehicle sales reveal about consumer confidence, how buyers are adapting to affordability pressures, the rise of new-energy vehicles, and…
12 Nov 12PM 13 min

The Economics of Diabetes

Ahead of World Diabetes Day, Sara Norcross, VP and General Manager of Novo Nordisk South Africa, joins Kaya Biz to discuss the growing burden of diabetes and its impact beyond healthcare. From workplace productivity and economic growth to treatment access and prevention, the conversation explores why diabetes should be viewed…
12 Nov 12PM 20 min

Protecting Yourself in the Age of Digital Scams

Online scams are becoming more sophisticated and increasingly difficult to detect. Sylvia Musalagani, Head of Safety Policy for Europe, the Middle East and Africa at Meta, discusses the growing threat of digital fraud, Meta's anti-scam initiatives, and how partnerships with local institutions are helping consumers identify and avoid online scams…
12 Nov 11AM 10 min

South Africa's Capital Puzzle

South Africa has no shortage of capital, yet economic growth remains elusive. Jurie Strydom, CEO of Old Mutual, joins Kaya Biz to unpack why the challenge may not be attracting investment, but deploying existing capital into productive sectors of the economy. The conversation explores investor confidence, policy certainty, infrastructure constraints…
12 Nov 11AM 7 min

Reading South Africa's Economic Pulse

South Africa's economic activity weakened again in October, but there are emerging signs that pressure on households and businesses may begin to ease. Independent economist Elize Kruger unpacks the latest PayInc Economic Index, the fuel price outlook, consumer behaviour, business confidence and the key economic trends to watch heading into…
11 Nov 12PM 10 min