Need to know
- A family history of illness doesn’t automatically make life insurance unaffordable or unattainable — insurers consider many factors, including your lifestyle and habits.
- Applying early, while you’re young and healthy, can help you secure more comprehensive cover at a lower cost, ensuring your loved ones are protected against future uncertainty.
- Your daily choices — like staying active, eating well, and getting regular check-ups — can reduce risks and strengthen your financial resilience.
Worried your family’s health history will block life insurance? Think again. Your lifestyle, habits, and early planning play a bigger role than genetics. Read on to find out more about how your actions today can shape you and your family’s financial security tomorrow.
‘Many people assume that a family history of illness makes life insurance unattainable or unaffordable, but that’s a myth,’ says Joretha Bothma, Head of Product Development, Underwriting and Claims at Momentum Life Insurance. ‘Insurers look at a wide range of factors when assessing your application, and family health history is just one of them.’
How your family health history can influence your cover
Life insurance is designed to protect the people you love most. It’s important to be open about your family’s health history upfront, to ensure your policy remains valid and helps prevent delays or disputes at claim stage.
‘Transparency builds trust – and that means peace of mind for you and your loved ones,’ says Joretha.
Timing is everything
Many hereditary conditions only appear later in life. By that stage, it can be more difficult, expensive, or even impossible to obtain life cover. Having a family history of illnesses like diabetes, hypertension, cancer or heart disease places you at a higher risk than the general population, which insurers will consider. If you know there’s a family history of high-risk conditions, the best time to secure cover is while you’re still young, healthy, and insurable. Early action gives you more options and ensures your loved ones remain protected, no matter what the future holds.
Your lifestyle, your legacy
What’s more, healthy lifestyle choices safeguard your financial legacies. Life insurance is more than a policy; it’s a promise – a way to keep your loved ones’ future secure, whether that means funding education, paying off a home loan, or ensuring financial stability through life’s uncertainties.
‘A family health history doesn’t have to dictate your future. The choices you make every day — maintaining a balanced diet, staying active and having regular health screenings — can reduce your risks and strengthen your financial resilience.’
~ Joretha Bothma, Head of Product Development, Underwriting and Claims at Momentum Life Insurance
Take time to talk to your family about their health history. Use that knowledge as a foundation for a healthier, more financially secure tomorrow. By turning understanding into action, you can protect generations to come and honour your family in the most meaningful way.
Start building momentum today
Your family’s health history is just one piece of the puzzle – your lifestyle and financial planning complete the picture. Speak to a Momentum accredited financial adviser or explore our life insurance solutions to find cover that fits your life, your legacy, and your goals.
written by
Joretha Bothma
HEAD OF PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, UNDERWRITING AND CLAIMS AT MOMENTUM LIFE INSURANCE
Joretha Bothma holds an honours degree in commerce from the University of Pretoria and qualified as an actuary in 2009. She joined Momentum Life Insurance in 2017 and currently heads up Product Development, Underwriting and Claims. At Momentum Life Insurance she drives digital onboarding and underwriting initiatives, overseeing product support, claims, reinsurance and service teams.
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