Cardiovascular disease is the leading causes of death in males and females worldwide. As our diagnosis and management techniques for cardiac problems improve, the incidence of cardiac surgery also rises. If your doctor has recently told you that you’ll need heart surgery to correct damage or a defect, today we explore the way forward for you under your different personal insurance policies, from term life insurance to trauma cover.

Heart surgery and term life insurance

Term life insurance only pays out upon your death, or on diagnosis of a terminal condition. Heart surgery isn’t usually performed for terminal conditions, so there is probably no reason to print off your term life insurance claim form.

However, it may be wise to let your family know about your policy and the insurer, in case something adverse happens on the operating table.

Heart surgery and income protection cover

If you need heart surgery, there’s a significant probability that you’ll be off work for long enough to claim on your income protection cover. When your doctor advises you that you’ll need heart surgery, you should contact your income protection provider immediately after you contact your family and workplace.

Even when you return to work, the nature of cardiac rehabilitation means that you probably will not be able to return to full duties immediately. Check your income protection cover to see if you are entitled to partial benefits for working fewer hours than you usually would – many good policies have this option.

Heart surgery and trauma cover

Your ability to claim on your trauma cover for heart surgery often depends on the type of surgery you require. ‘Coronary artery surgery’ is often covered by trauma policies, but it may not include specific procedures like angioplasty, drug-based techniques to improve the function of your coronary artery, or even intra-arterial procedures.

Heart valve surgery and bypass surgery should be fully covered under most trauma cover policies however.

Heart surgery is quite a scary prospect. However in modern hospitals it is also performed very safely and reliably and patients have a good chance of coming through heart surgery with a fulfilling life ahead of them. Trauma or income protection insurance can help give you the recovery time you need to make the most of your heart surgery. Therefore make sure you know what you are covered for and that you have a policy that covers the major prolific procedures and illnesses.