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

SANEDI on Key AEF Takeaways critical for South Africa's Energy Future

Prof. Sampson Mamphweli, the Head of the Energy Secretariat at the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI), joins us for his view on South Africa's future. He unpacks policy and project-based initiatives that came to the fore on the agenda at this week's Africa Energy Forum.
18 Jun 3PM 11 min

Africa’s Power Market Is Learning to Share: AEF 2026 Highlights

From Uganda’s first independent transmission project to South Africa’s R440bn grid expansion plan, AEF 2026 showcased a continent shifting toward private‑sector participation and distributed energy. Absa CIB's Nikhil Kasiram breaks down the biggest trends shaping Africa’s power future.
18 Jun 3PM 12 min

Pivot Point: BrightRock at 15 and CEO Stevens on Leading the Next Chapter

BrightRock celebrates 15 years of disrupting the life insurance industry with its needs‑matched model. CEO Suzanne Stevens reflects on her leadership journey, the company’s growth to over 12% market share, and the future of life insurance in a rapidly changing consumer landscape.
18 Jun 3PM 18 min