Jocely Fernandez's claim story

Jocely, a caregiver and nurse originally from the Philippines, has faced a decade of health challenges since moving to New Zealand. Her story is one of resilience, foresight, and the vital role of insurance has played in helping her and her family weather life’s toughest storms.

Jocely’s journey began with a promise to herself and her partner:

“As soon as we get our residency, we’ll apply for life insurance right away. We won’t waste any more time thinking about it.”

She had heard too many stories of families struggling without insurance, and she was determined not to be one of them. In early 2022, after securing residency, Jocely and her partner took out Life Cover, Critical Illness and Income Protection insurance.

Just months after getting insured, Jocely suffered a serious back injury from her physically demanding caregiving job.

 “I had a bulge on my lower spine and was supposed to have surgery,” she recalls. ACC provided some support but only covered about 80% of her salary. “At the time, I was still paying off our house back home in the Philippines. Every dollar mattered.”

Jocely’s Income Protection insurance provided a monthly sum to help cover expenses.

“It wasn’t a huge amount, but it made a big difference,” she says.

 “Even a little bit helps. It covered daily expenses and allowed me to continue supporting my family back home.”

After eight months of recovery, Jocely returned to work, transitioning from caregiving to lighter activities. But her health challenges weren’t over.

“They found cancer in my endometrium—stage three. It had spread to my lymph nodes and cervix, so I had surgery, chemo, and radiation. I couldn’t work at all.”

Jocely describes the claims process with Chubb Life as straightforward and supportive.

 “I received a lump sum from my Critical Illness cover. The documentation was clear, and the payment came through quickly. It helped me pay for my daughter’s education, support my family, and cover daily needs. Without it, I don’t know how we would have managed.”

She contrasts her experience with friends who have found the process less clear with other insurers:

“Some of my friends had a hard time with their claims, even with all the doctor’s certificates. It was stressful. With Chubb Life, I didn’t have any trouble.”

Jocely’s challenging health journey continued with another cancer diagnosis in her breast in July 2024.

“Life is tough, but I try to stay positive. Insurance gives me peace of mind. It’s the best decision I’ve ever made.”

Jocely’s insurance allowed her to support her daughter’s education when she first arrived in New Zealand, pay for groceries, and help her family back home.

“You feel secure that anything happens to you, your family is going to be okay because you’ve got something to offer them.”

Her story has inspired others.

“Many of my friends have now taken out insurance for themselves and their families. Even my daughter, who’s just 18, has insurance. The younger you are, the cheaper it is.”

Jocely is now an advocate in her community, encouraging others to get covered.

“I keep telling my friends, ‘Don’t wait. Get insurance as soon as you can, and make sure it’s enough to cover your needs.’ Some thought saving in the bank was enough, but I know how quickly savings can disappear when family needs arise.”

Jocely’s message is clear:

“You can spend money on movies or restaurants, but insurance is for your future and your family’s security. The income you get from your job isn’t always enough if you get seriously ill. Insurance means you don’t have to worry about paying the mortgage or supporting your loved ones.”

She encourages others to think long-term.

“It’s not about having the biggest amount but having enough to make a difference. The best decision I’ve ever made is to have insurance.”

Chubb Life offers a variety of life and living insurance options that could provide financial protection for individuals and their families. These options include, but are not limited to Chubb Life’s critical illness, life insurance and income protection categories of insurance which offer a range of cover types based on individual needs.

Find out more at chubblife.co.nz/life-and-living

Chubb Life Insurance New Zealand Limited (Chubb Life) has an A (Excellent) financial strength rating given by A.M. Best Company Inc. The full rating scale is available for inspection at every Chubb Life office in New Zealand.

This content is intended to be of a general nature, does not take into account your financial situation or goals, and is not financial advice under the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013. You should seek professional financial advice relevant to your individual circumstances. While Chubb Life has taken care to ensure that this information is from reliable sources, it cannot warrant its accuracy, completeness, or suitability for your intended use. To the extent permitted by law, Chubb Life does not accept any responsibility or liability arising from your use of this information.