Lady FirstCare

Yes, as a woman who manages your own and your household's expenses, we believe your first and most important investment should be YOURSELF. Whether you are young and starting your first job, re-entering the job market, a homemaker, divorced or recently widowed, women are learning that if they want to travel the road to financial security, they have to map and plan for the trip carefully. That starts with finding cost-effective ways to protect their own future and their loved ones - in the event that anything happens to them.

The good news is: women on average tend to outlive men by 4 years -76 for men versus 80 for women.

The bad news is: women's genetic makeup often puts them at greater risk in relation to women-related critical illnesses.

Every day about three Singaporean women are diagnosed with breast cancer. And 1 out of 4 of these women die from breast cancer, the country's top killer every year (Source: Straits Times 17/03/2001).

Breast cancer can be treated and contained. But treatment can be costly. Which brings us to the next question - are you covered for breast cancer? And will your current critical illness cover pay?

There's only one problem: Most standard critical illness cover pays when the cancer is invasive and has spread to all the surrounding tissues. That's where having an enhanced critical illness cover makes a major difference - because it closes all the gaps.

See how much is missing from your standard critical illness cover:

It is time to take a close look at your current plan and decide if your insurance program is adequate to protect you and your loved ones. Is it enough to meet your objectives, and can you fulfil your responsibilities? Your family counts on you. So we would like to recommend that you review your coverage and needs for a more comprehensive cover with Lady FirstCare.

This is a rider designed especially for women from all walks of life. Whether you are a full-time homemaker, career woman, or a single mother heading a household, you have your responsibilities, your loans and your obligations. Imagine if an illness were to strike - what would happen to the income you are generating? How would your family manage? Besides a severe financial loss, would there be adequate savings to cover the cost of treatment? Lady FirstCare provides a broad safety net to manage the uncertainty and financial strain that comes with a critical illness.

For instance, you will receive a lump sum of cash in the event of:

Onset of cancer

Non-cancer related surgery - this coverage is the first of its kind - or

Maternity complications

There are more benefits with this rider plan:

* Carcinoma-in-situ or cancer of Breast, Cervix Uteri, Uterus, Ovary, Fallopian Tube or Vagina
Carcinoma-in-situ means a focal autonomous new growth of carcinomatous cells which has not yet resulted in invasion of normal tissue. 'Invasion' means and infiltration and/or active destruction of normal tissue beyond the basement membrane.

The carcinoma-in-situ must be confirmed by histological evidence by an Oncologist or Pathologist. Only Carcinoma-in-situ of the Breast, Cervix Uteri, Uterus, Ovary, Fallopian Tube or Vagina are covered.

The following additional conditions apply:

a) Carcinoma-in-situ of Cervix Uteri - Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN) Classification CIN I, CIN II and CIN III (Severe Dysplasia without CIS) are specifically excluded.

b) Carcinoma-in-situ of Uterus - Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN) Classification CIN I, CIN II and CIN III (Severe Dysplasia without CIS) are specifically excluded.

c) Carcinoma-in-situ of Ovary - The tumour should be capsule intact, with no tumour on the ovarian surface, classified as T1aN0M0 (TNM classification) or FIGO 1A (The Federation International de Gynecologie et d'Obstetrique).

**Congenital anomalies include Down's Syndrome, Spina Bifida, Tetralogy of Fallot, Tracheosophageal Fistula and Oesophageal Atresia, Hydrocephalus

Lady FirstCare is a low-cost rider which can be added on to a range of HSBC's basic plans. You can choose a broad range of coverage from $10,000 to $50,000. And it costs as little as $8.74 per month for a $10,000 cover for a lady age 25. Make Lady FirstCare your first smart money sense rider plan.

It's the best gift for our children - not only to protect their future, but also to guarantee against the uncertainties of tomorrow.

Call 6225 6111