Originally published in Partners Papers, Partners Life, July 2019. Abridged.

Towards the end of 2014 Michael Scott and his wife met with their financial adviser and took out Partners Life cover. Just a few months later Michael noticed a slight tremor in his left hand. As scan confirmed that he had Parkinson’s Disease. At only 50 years old, it was a diagnosis that would change the course of his life. Michael continued to work for a number of years but as his condition worsened he began a comprehensive treatment regime. Finally, at the end of 2018 it was decided that he needed to stop working.

Michael’s Partners Life policy included Private Medical Cover, which has ensured he has been able to access the treatment he requires from his initial scan diagnosing Parkinson’s, through to his ongoing treatment today. His policy also included Mortgage Repayment Cover, which paid out a lump sum when he was no longer able to work as well as ongoing quarterly payments.

Michael understands the importance of good timing and the good fortune of having put his cover in place just before being diagnosed isn’t lost on him. “I’m so glad we saw our adviser when we did and she gave us all the options for what we needed. We take out all of these different insurances for our things and ourselves, but we don’t really understand how powerful they are until we need them.”