Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

doctor patient via Shutterstock

€168m in claims were paid out by Irish Life last year --- including one of over a million euro

Data from the company’s 2013 accounts shows cancer accounted for almost half of all life insurance claims.

NEW DATA FROM the country’s largest life assurance company shows that cancer accounted for 44 per cent of all Life Insurance claims last year, and 58 per cent of Special Illness Cover claims.

In total, €168 million was paid out by Irish Life in 2013. Heart-related conditions accounted for 16 per cent of Life Insurance pay-outs and 22 per cent of Special Illness Cover claims.

The company’s claims book also gives details of the largest claims. A €1 million Life Insurance claim was paid in respect of a man in his 50s. The corresponding figure for a female was €800,000, paid in respect of a woman in her fifties.

The largest Specified Illness Cover claim (paid in in the event that a person contracts one of 44 illnesses) was €1.1, paid to a man in his 40s suffering from cancer.

The average pay-out was €65,560 for Life Insurance and €69,638 for Specified Illness.

The figures also show that of the 138 claims paid out for accidental death, 25 were the result of a road traffic accident — equating to €2 million in payments. Alcohol was a factor in 6 per cent of all accident claims — down slightly from 7 per cent in 2012, and from 14 per cent in 2011.

Figures from the Department of Health show that heart-related illnesses accounted for 36 per cent of all deaths registered in 2012, compared to 19 per cent of deaths for those under 65.

19 per cent of all deaths in 2012 were due to external causes like accidents and suicide, compared to 2 per cent of deaths amongst those over 65.

Read: Health insurance white paper could be published in coming weeks

Read: Minister admits health plans ‘not very detailed’ and ‘there are still difficulties’

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
7 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Parmenides
    Favourite Parmenides
    Report
    Sep 18th 2013, 2:07 PM

    Just like oour very own unflappable Dobbo, the consummate professional. It’s only a mistake if you acknowledge it. Dobbo could take an arrow to the knee and still deliver the news in a a professional and concise manner.

    191
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Larry K
    Favourite Larry K
    Report
    Sep 18th 2013, 4:53 PM

    It also shows just how vital an iPad is for a news presenter

    90
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Clyde Doyle
    Favourite Clyde Doyle
    Report
    Sep 18th 2013, 10:06 PM

    Ha ha

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Donnelly
    Favourite Michael Donnelly
    Report
    Sep 18th 2013, 3:31 PM

    That’s a lost bet from a night in a pub. Or I’ll eat my hat!!

    84
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Radford
    Favourite Paul Radford
    Report
    Sep 18th 2013, 5:26 PM

    You’re right, no other reason for a ream of paper to be anywhere near studio.

    Well spotted Watson, well spotted. Solved

    29
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Oliver Walker
    Favourite Oliver Walker
    Report
    Sep 18th 2013, 4:55 PM

    That….looks absolutely ridiculous

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Veronica
    Favourite Veronica
    Report
    Sep 18th 2013, 4:54 PM

    Fair pay to him, he kept his cool throughout!

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Seoirse M H
    Favourite Seoirse M H
    Report
    Sep 18th 2013, 3:32 PM

    The BBC News service is so blatantly biased and a spring of propaganda. It’s all in the words they choose and nice words are reserved for those who align with Western interests.

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Leigh Power
    Favourite Leigh Power
    Report
    Sep 18th 2013, 3:50 PM

    As opposed to yourself who’s completely unbiased.

    84
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mick Rooney
    Favourite Mick Rooney
    Report
    Sep 18th 2013, 4:03 PM

    You’ve obviously never looked at the blatant Fox-led British Sky News for slanted opinion and bias presenting in their daily news. For all the starch and stuff upper lip of the BBC, you at least get basic news reported less the editorial and reality-show hyperbole of SKY.

    42
    See 4 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Seoirse M H
    Favourite Seoirse M H
    Report
    Sep 18th 2013, 4:17 PM

    Re Mick.

    Hi Mick. Wouldn’t look at SkyNews for news unless I needed some encouragement. The BBC nature programs et al are good but the news service is unbelievably produced according to an agenda. Just look at any articles from the BBC on Pinochet. Absolutely shocking the way they choose words in their description of him and slant on him.

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Radford
    Favourite Paul Radford
    Report
    Sep 18th 2013, 5:28 PM

    So what do you think of Tv3. Interesting to hear your reply.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mick Rooney
    Favourite Mick Rooney
    Report
    Sep 18th 2013, 5:38 PM

    BBC docu stuff is generally, outstanding, though I take your point on the Pinochet stuff.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mick Rooney
    Favourite Mick Rooney
    Report
    Sep 18th 2013, 5:43 PM

    Eh, TV3!? Do they call what they do in soundbites news? I used to watch Vincenzo, but, frankly, I couldn’t care less what Georgia, Amy or Glenda do next as an excuse for news! TV3 news reminds me of John Craven’s newsrooms for kids, or the mentally challenged!

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Wham Wham
    Favourite Wham Wham
    Report
    Sep 18th 2013, 2:32 PM

    I’ve done that afew times in school! You’d be mortified but with all those kids staring at you it’s bound to happen!

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Trevor Beacom
    Favourite Trevor Beacom
    Report
    Sep 18th 2013, 6:25 PM

    A decent newsreader mccoy who was pushed out of sky for clashing with the maggie Thatcher of media

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cathal Egan
    Favourite Cathal Egan
    Report
    Sep 18th 2013, 8:44 PM

    Maybe he got scammed by the people who show you what you’re buying then give you the case filled with paper and leave before you notice. He just hasn’t noticed yet.

    7
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds