02 February 2021

Bula from BSP Life,

I trust 2021 has started well for you and your loved ones. We’ve endured unfavourable weather recently and our thoughts are with all communities that are adversely affected.

In times of adversity, as experienced with COVID-19 and the recent cyclones, we often reflect on what’s most important in life – family, friends, our faith, our assets, and all the things we cherish. At BSP Life, we’ve reflected on many things that impact our business. Of great importance are You, our Valued Customers. We recognise that as you face financial and other hardships, tough decisions need to be made. Maintaining your insurance policies, whether it is for Life or Health insurance, comes into that consideration. So, for your continued loyalty we are extremely grateful. On behalf of the entire BSP Life family, I wish to convey our gratitude for your continued and unwavering support in 2020.

Last year was one of the toughest years we’ve all had to endure, however, despite the challenges, BSP Life continues to grow, and I would like to share some of these developments with you.

Sharing our blessings

In 2020, as we navigated through the effects of the pandemic, we acknowledged how fortunate we were to continue to operate normally and were privileged to be able to assist those who were less fortunate. To help us, we partnered with the Veilomani Food Bank, Helping Hands Fiji, the Fiji Cancer Society, Homes of Hope, HART, Mahaffy Girls, Samabula Old People’s Homes, Chanel Home of Compassion, Father Law Home and the St Vincent de Paul. Our staff conducted Market days to raise funds and in December distributed vouchers to help families celebrate Christmas. In support of those on the frontline, refreshments were supplied to those manning check points during the lockdowns. We hoped that these forms of assistance would go some way to putting a smile on the faces of those impacted or working hard to keep Fiji safe.

New Investments
 In October 2020, we   launched our   Voivoi   Warehouse project in   Nadi,   estimated to cost   around $7million,     creating much needed   economic   activity in the   area. Read more

 

 

In January, we acquired   the iconic   Regal building.   BSP Life now owns   the   McDonalds, Regal and   Central   Street Buildings   on the Thomson   Street   stretch in the heart of   Suva   City. Read more

Fulfilling our Promise

In 2020, total customer benefits paid exceeded $65million. The table below shows the last five years trends.

Life & Health Insurance Pay-outs ($m)	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020
Living Benefits	32.2	38.2	38.5	49.1	44.8
Death & Disability	7.6	9.9	9.7	10.3	9.4
Medical	8.0	10.5	14.1	12.1	11.6
TOTAL	$47.8m	$58.6m	$62.3m	$71.5m	$65.8m

Living Benefits account for the largest payouts each year, of which the majority were Maturities which reward customers for the many years they’ve diligently paid premiums, noting that policy terms range from 10 to 30 years. So, we are delighted when Policyholders receive their full Maturity Benefits as it allows them to fulfil their life goals whether it be a prosperous retirement, investment in a business, putting children through higher education, renovating a house, or taking a well-deserved holiday.

Last year we received heart-warming stories of how families whose breadwinners had lost jobs, particularly in the Tourism industry, found comfort in the proceeds from their life insurance maturities which gave them much needed finances in a time of great need. These stories motivate us to continue to strive for excellence in our service. Death & Disability payouts was $9.4million. These payouts help surviving family members cope with the financial loss associated with the untimely passing of a bread winner. Medical Benefits was $11.6million. Twenty (20) insureds were evacuated for specialist treatment overseas, including 4 air ambulance cases. With border closures and strict COVID-19 protocols in place, the vast experience of our professional team was instrumental in arranging these evacuations.  A large number of treatments were also funded locally given the increased capacity at Oceania Hospitals. In total, we processed over 83,000 benefit pay-outs in 2020 averaging 1,600 payments at a value of $1.2 million a week. It is also noteworthy that over 95% of claims received were approved, with a low percentage declined due to claims being outside terms and conditions. We have a committed and experienced team and a business that has built up resilience over many years to ensure we fulfil our promises, even in times of crisis.

Death & Medical Claims Reveal Worrying Trends

Medical Claims 2015 – 2020          

 

33% of medical claims in age group of 31-40yrs

Death Claims 2015 – 2020

 

53% of death claims in age group 40-54yrs.

The claims data reveal worrying trends highlighting the onset of chronic ailments and deaths at young ages. This correlates with the rise of NCD’s which claims over 80% of deaths in Fiji. These statistics remind us of the need to take physical wellness seriously, for ourselves and our families. It also reinforces the need for Medical insurance, so if you have a Life insurance policy with us, but don’t have a Medical insurance policy, talk to our team today so that we can tailor a solution for you.

Single Premium Insurance Products

Our new single premium products, Bula Secure and Bula Secure Plus surpassed $15million in sales last year. The uptake exceeded our expectations demonstrating that the investment returns from these products are amongst the best, if not the best, currently on offer in the market. To get a quote simply contact your insurance advisor or visit our website www.bsplife.com.fj today.

We’re on Social Media

We’ve launched our BSP Life profiles on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. We encourage you to follow us and get instant updates as we share information weekly.

Going Digital

Our decision to go digital is twofold – doing our part to save the environment plus make it easier for you to do business with us. Below are the initiatives that were undertaken:

• Refreshed website with a CHAT feature and Contact Us

Our refreshed website recorded 34,754 users from March to December and you can now CHAT with us about your policy(ies). We’re here to help you understand your Policy and its Benefits, so that it will serve you well.

• MY BSP Life – Customer Self Service

This offers instant service when you choose – we strongly urge you to register on MY BSP Life – a customer self-service portal developed to allow customers to: 1) view your policy details online (both Life and Health insurance), 2) get a quote and 3) lodge claims online. Click on “How to Register” if you haven’t already registered.

• Paperless

Choosing to go paperless comes with many benefits, including helping our environment. All our communication to you going forward will be via your nominated email address. We now e-mail policies to customers as soon as their first premium is received and the instantaneous delivery has been very well received. All communication to you is also uploaded on MY BSP Life, which you may access and read at your convenience.

Customer engagement was strong last year and we were delighted to serve you. Below are the records from our Customer Care Centres and our Call Centre.

Outlook – 2021

While the outlook for 2021 remains challenging, we remain focused on executing our strategies with urgency and agility, to serving you well and to building value on your investment with us.

As we continue to navigate the pandemic and its impacts, it is vital to protect your life and health insurance policies. Our Conservation team is on standby to provide the necessary assistance. Do not hesitate to contact them on 326 1309 | 326 1707 | 326 1607 | email: cmconservation@bsplife.com.fj .

To those whose policies are nearing maturity and looking to reinvest, please speak to our team on options that are available to sustain value on your matured funds.

We are humbled that you continue to place your Trust in us and we assure you of our continuous support. In our next edition we will update you on the status of our Investments Portfolio and provide news on the 2020 policyholder Bonus announcement.

On behalf of the BSP Life Family, I wish you and your families a prosperous and safe 2021.

 

 

 

 

 

Michael Nacola

Managing Director