 |
| https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1802326 |
Today, April 22, 2019, a 6.3 magnitude earthquake hits Metro Manila and Central Luzon at 5:11 in the afternoon.
Where were you, what were doing when it happened, and who were you thinking about while doing the "drop, cover, hold?"
As for me, I just got home, with only a few steps from our front door, and heard my mother shouting, "Mamayun!" (Earthquake!) from the bathroom. I went straight to our bedroom, where my two young kids were playing, and my youngest daughter said, "Mommy, nagsshake." This is their first earthquake experience.
I then received a call from my husband to check on us, and calls from my brothers as well.
Thankfully, we are all safe.
By 7:00 PM, I received a text message from my client...
My client's insurance application is still pending because of medical concerns. She had to see her Cardiologist who holds his clinic late in the evening, and her doctor wants me to be there during the consultation. My client told me that she and her husband will be at the hospital by 9:30 PM.
I arrived before my client did.
But before I left for work, I overheard my parents talking about a relative who has to undergo bypass surgery.
While waiting at the hospital, I exchanged messages with my brother who is close to this relative. I asked if our relative has critical illness insurance. He said he has none. For the longest time, my brother is a non-believer of insurance himself. He thinks that getting a life insurance is just an unnecessary expense. You may wonder why I have not enlightened him about insurance and convinced him about getting one; well, admittedly, I'd say I easily gave up on him. When he said no to me the first time, I took it as a no forever. This was the reason why I didn't bother asking him again.
But I think this is what being close to death or illness teaches us -- that death is real and being ill is real...
During that exchange of messages, I had the courage to ask my brother to apply for insurance. To my surprise, his reply was, "Okay, thank you."
There was no sign of the earthquake happening today.
There was no sign of our relative needing to undergo bypass. He looked perfectly fine when I last saw him less than a month ago.
And yet, these things happen.
I remembered what a friend often say, "Kung oras mo na, oras mo na." Familiar, isn't it?
The question is,
"What if oras mo na, pero ung mga mahal mo sa buhay hindi pa?"
"What if magkasakit ka, pero ung ipon mo sa bangko kulang pa?"
Will you allow your family to take that toll in the future when you can actually do something about it now?
Personally, I do not know what will happen tomorrow, or if tomorrow will even come; but I would rather be prepared for it through the things I can control today, than simply let fate takes its course. We were gifted with logical thinking for a purpose.
You'd probably say, "Nah, just another insurance agent taking advantage of that earthquake..."
Yes, I am an insurance agent, AND...
If "oras ko na," I have adequate insurance money to leave my loved ones with.
If I fall ill, I have critical illness insurance to cover for my medical expenses.
But, I was with my client past regular working hours because the approval of her insurance application is as important for me as it is for her.
I was reaching out to my brother to apply for insurance because I love and care for him.
And I honestly could not let this day pass without finishing this blog post because I know that I have this responsibility to reach out and educate as many people as possible about life insurance and what it can actually do for you and your family.
Life insurance is for income protection and asset protection. This means that your insurance company, like Insular Life, takes the risk in your behalf. If the insured dies, his income is protected. If the insured dies with accumulated assets, his assets are protected. This is what Insurance Planning is about.
Maybe that earthquake was a wake up call for you.
And you reading this blog post is a confirmation that you need to start preparing today for the what ifs of tomorrow.
For me, that earthquake was a definitely a wake up call, too, but not as a breadwinner, but as a Financial Advisor who needs to do her job more consistently than ever. I hope that this blog post served its purpose.
Be very blessed and praying for everyone's safety.
P.S. If you want to learn more about insurance planning, send me an email at financialplanningforpinoys@gmail.com. It will be my pleasure to share this with you.
P.S.2 I hope you find this post helpful. Kindly click the SHARE button. Thank you very much in advance.
