Insurance Premium Comparison Calculator
Setup
| Year | Monthly Premium (R) | Change % | Annual Total |
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| Year | Monthly Premium (R) | Change % | Annual Total |
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Total Spend Comparison
After 5 Years
After 10 Years
After 15 Years
The Premium Increase Problem
Why the cheapest premium today can become the most expensive mistake later
Most people buy life insurance based on one number: the starting premium.
What is often not properly understood — or clearly shown — is how that premium changes over time.
This calculator is designed to expose a common and costly issue in the South African insurance market: premium increases that accelerate faster than clients expect, eventually making policies unaffordable.
What Usually Goes Wrong
In many cases, clients are sold on a low starting premium with reassurance that:
- "The increase is only 5% per year"
- "Premiums are guaranteed for a period"
- "This is standard industry practice"
What is not always made clear is that:
- Premium increases may combine scheduled escalation + age-rating
- The actual annual increase can be far higher than the quoted percentage
- Guarantee periods typically expire after 10–15 years
- Premiums can then jump sharply at review points
- Clients only discover the problem years later — when cancelling is no longer easy
This is how many policies become unsustainable just when cover is needed most.
Why This Calculator Is Different
This calculator does not estimate premiums.
It requires you to manually enter the actual premiums shown on your policy or quote document for each year.
That is deliberate.
By doing this, the calculator allows you to:
- See the real rand cost of premium increases over time
- Compare insurers year by year, not by headline percentages
- Identify when premiums begin to accelerate
- Understand the total cost of cover, not just the starting price
This turns abstract escalation percentages into real numbers you can plan around.
A Note on Behaviour-Linked and Structured Premium Products
Not all escalating premiums are bad.
Some products — particularly behaviour-linked structures — can work very well for the right client, such as:
- High-income earners
- Clients with strong wellness participation
- Clients actively engaged with their bank or medical aid benefits
When used correctly, these structures can deliver excellent long-term value.
The problem arises when these products are used for the wrong client, or when the long-term premium behaviour is not properly understood upfront.
This calculator is about fit and sustainability, not criticism of specific insurers or models.
Why BrightRock Is Often Used as a Comparison
BrightRock is frequently referenced in premium discussions because its approach focuses on:
- Showing actual future premium amounts, not only percentages
- Allowing advisers and clients to see what will be paid each year
- Making premium patterns more predictable and transparent
By contrast, many traditional products describe escalation patterns in percentages, while the actual premiums paid may diverge significantly over time due to age-rating and review events.
This calculator helps make those differences visible.
How to Use This Calculator Properly
- Take your policy schedule or quotation
- Enter the actual monthly premium for each year exactly as shown
- Compare different products side-by-side
Review:
- Year-by-year increases
- Long-term affordability
- Total premiums paid over time
The goal is not to chase the lowest premium — it is to avoid unpleasant surprises later.
Who This Calculator Is Ideal For
This tool is especially useful for:
- Clients reviewing existing life insurance policies
- Anyone considering replacing or upgrading cover
- High-income earners comparing premium structures
- Business owners with long-term cover needs
- Advisers and clients who want transparency before committing
The Real Question This Calculator Answers
"Can I still afford this policy in 10, 15, or 20 years — not just today?"
That question matters more than the starting premium.
Take the Next Step
If you'd like help interpreting the results — or understanding whether your current policy structure is sustainable — we can review it with you.
Let us help you choose cover that still works when you need it most.