Survey shows low take-up of serious illness insurance

Only 1.5% of Irish people took out insurance against serious illness between 1998 and 2001, according to a survey conducted for the Royal Liver Assurance firm.

84% of respondents said financial security for their families would be important in the event of their becoming seriously ill.

However, Royal Liver said that 30% of those surveyed would not have enough income to sustain their current standard of living were they to become seriously ill and unable to work.