“These are staggering numbers and there is no doubt Covid-19 has caused many of these additional deaths, whether directly as a result of a person contracting the virus or because people were reluctant to seek medical attention for other serious conditions,” he said.
Death benefits of R47.58bn were paid out.
This represents a 64% increase in the value of claims paid by life insurers when compared to the previous 12-month period, said De Villiers.
The association urged South Africans to get vaccinated.
“As an industry we expect the death claims statistics for the current financial year to tell a grim story as they will reflect the severity of the Covid-19 third wave.
“We urge all South Africans to get vaccinated rather than risk death, severe illness or even potential long-term debilitating side-effects often caused by Covid-19.”
TimesLIVE