Sagicor Life Jamaica Limited has announced updates to a number of its critical illness plans.

Effective October 1, 2025, clients with eligible critical illness plans can now benefit from coverage for early-stage cancer, which offers faster financial support. The new feature provides a partial payout on diagnosis of early-stage breast or prostate cancer, the company said in a news release.

“Clients insured under these critical illness plans, diagnosed on or after October 1, 2025, with non-invasive breast cancer (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ), can claim a 25 per cent advance payout of their sum insured (up to $1.25 million), on their first diagnosis of the early-stage cancer,” Sagicor explained.

It added that the update also covers early-stage prostate cancers and noted that the early payout for these conditions is a first for insurance companies in Jamaica.

“Note that only the first diagnosis is covered for each client, per eligible policy,” the company stated.

“As our clients’ needs evolve we are committed to evolving with them,” the release quotes Sagicor Life CEO Willard Brown.

He added that the new benefit “represents Sagicor’s pledge to offer meaningful protection at the earliest signs of breast and prostate cancer, giving clients support and peace of mind, while emphasising early screening”.

Other key features of the benefit include:

• Automatic application to eligible policies — no client action required

• No increase in premium

• Accelerated access to financial support at a critical time

• Remaining sum insured stays intact for future covered conditions (excluding early-stage breast and prostate cancers) once premiums are paid up to date.

Sagicor Life’s Chief Medical Officer Dr Andrene Chung explained that the new benefit covers cancer of the breast and prostate, which are at “The earliest stage, where cells are not yet invasive and have not spread from the site where they were formed. Because it’s non-invasive, these cancers tend to be treatable and typically have an excellent prognosis if detected and managed early.”

Mark Chisholm, chief revenue officer and executive vice-president, Sagicor Life, noted the significance of the offering, stating that the team has been working with regulators for a number of years to make it a possibility.

“We saw the need for this type of coverage and have always felt a deep sense of responsibility to give our clients access to solutions that provide peace of mind in the most challenging moments of their lives,” the release quotes Chisholm.

“Financial support at this stage can make a significant difference in how quickly and confidently a patient is able to begin care, therefore increasing the likelihood of remission. Sagicor’s decision to offer this new coverage will be life-saving,” he added.

CHISHOLM… we saw the need for this type of coverage and have always felt a deep sense of responsibility to give our clients access to solutions that provide peace of mind in the most challenging moments of their lives

CHUNG… the new benefit covers cancer of the breast and prostate, which are at the earliest stage, where cells are not yet invasive and have not spread from the site where they were formed