USD 27.59 million
paid in group life claims
USD 10.24 million
paid to support employees facing illness and injury
Building a confident workforce through meaningful protection
The most effective employee benefits are built on a deep understanding of the challenges people face throughout their working lives. Our claims experience gives us a clear view of the health, wellbeing and financial pressures facing today's workforce, and it helps employers understand what really matters to their people. One truth stands out in this report. Life-changing events often happen long before retirement, in the years when careers, families and financial responsibilities are at their peak. Life cover remains essential, but our data also shows the growing importance of benefits that support employees through illness, injury and disability while they're still working.
As employers compete for talent, comprehensive benefits have become a real differentiator. Protection that goes beyond traditional life cover helps strengthen financial wellbeing, build confidence in the future and create workplaces where people feel genuinely supported at every stage of life.
Ashika Tailor
Head of Distribution – ME Corporate Life and Pensions
Things that stand out
Life-changing events are happening earlier than expected
Life and disability claims occurred as early as age 22, with most occurring between ages 39 and 50.
Prevention and early detection can make a difference
3 in 5 life claims were caused by cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Critical illness is a growing workforce risk
3 in 5 personal protection claims were for Critical Illness benefits.
Mental wellbeing is impacting people and performance
1 in 7 disability claims were linked to mental health-related conditions.
Living benefits are becoming increasingly important
27% of all claims paid supported employees through illness, injury and disability.
The biggest financial impact of disability is often the loss of income
79% of disability benefit claims paid were linked to Temporary Total Disability and Income Protection benefits.
Supporting employees through illness, injury and recovery
Lost income is one of the biggest risks employees face.
79% of disability benefit claims paid were for Temporary Total Disability and Income Protection, highlighting the importance of income replacement when illness or injury disrupts an employee's ability to work.
of the claims paid were for living benefits
Supporting employees through illness, injury and recovery
Lost income is one of the biggest risks employees face.
79% of disability benefit claims paid were for Temporary Total Disability and Income Protection, highlighting the importance of income replacement when illness or injury disrupts an employee's ability to work.
The health risks: life cover claims
Nearly 3 in 5 life claims were caused by cardiovascular disease and cancer:
of the claims paid were for living benefits
The health risks: life cover claims
Nearly 3 in 5 life claims were caused by cardiovascular disease and cancer:
The health risks: disability claims
Disability claims affected employees as young as 22, with an average claimant age of 48.
Nearly 1 in 2 disability claims were linked to musculoskeletal conditions, accidents and mental health-related conditions.
Critical illness: a growing workforce risk
3 out of 5 personal protection claims were for Critical Illness benefits
Source: Zurich Life Value Report 2026
Critical Illness claims affected individuals as young as 19, with an average claimant age of 50.
91% of claims were linked to cancer, heart attack and stroke.
The future of employee protection goes beyond life cover
"We launched Critical Illness cover last year in response to a clear pattern in our claims: serious illness hitting people in their peak earning years, with financial fallout that goes well beyond medical bills. Alongside income protection and disability benefits, it marks a shift from cover that pays out after a loss to cover that carries employees through one. We’ve also opened group protection up to businesses with as few as five employees, so start-ups and SMEs can offer the same quality of cover as the largest organisations. Value is created when protection reaches the people who need it and delivers when they call on it. ”
Faizan Shaikh
Head of Corporate Pricing
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Built around what people value
“The most effective employee benefits start with a clear understanding of what employers and employees genuinely value. Innovation helps us turn those needs into practical solutions that are relevant, accessible and easy to engage with. Along the way, strong partnerships and technology play an important supporting role, helping us work more efficiently with brokers and employers and deliver better experiences for the people who rely on these benefits. When those elements come together, protection stops being paperwork and starts being something employees actually engage with and rely on.”
David Howard
Head of Propositions and Partnerships - ME Corporate Life and Pensions
The growing impact of mental health
1 in 7 disability claims paid were linked to mental health-related conditions.
Mental health is increasingly influencing employee wellbeing, engagement and workplace performance, making it an important consideration for employers looking to support a healthy and sustainable workforce.
Focus on mental health
Mental health has become one of the most important wellbeing conversations in the workplace, and our claims data shows why. The impact reaches beyond the individual and shapes attendance, performance and how people show up for their teams. Yet stigma and a lack of awareness still hold many employees back from asking for help.
The employers making the biggest difference treat mental wellbeing as a combination of culture, awareness and practical action. Healthy work-life balance, psychologically safe workplaces and easy access to support all help people speak up sooner and feel more connected at work.
Financial security matters too. Knowing that protection and savings are in place takes some of the weight off during difficult periods. Together, wellbeing initiatives and financial protection help people focus on what matters most: their health, their families and their goals.
Dr. Khatchik Kinoyan
Chief Underwriter
A partnership you can count on
When employers choose Zurich, they're choosing a partner committed to delivering on the promise of employee protection through reliable claims support, service excellence and long-term financial strength.
Building resilience through employee benefits
Employee benefits are entering a new era, and I've joined Zurich to help shape what that looks like across this region. People are working longer, living with more complexity and expecting more from the employers they choose. Benefits are one of the strongest signals a company can send about how it values its people. Get them right and you protect your workforce, your reputation and your ability to grow.
That's why I'm excited about what's coming next. Our upcoming Personal Resilience Report has been developed in partnership with Oxford Research and Development Partners. It gives employers a clearer view of what makes their people resilient across their psychological, physical, social, financial and digital lives, and how benefits can strengthen each of those areas.
The trends in this claims report already point in the same direction. The businesses that put protection at the centre of their people strategy are the ones that thrive.
Matthew Whitehouse
Head of Corporate Life and Pensions
Protect your people
Because every employee deserves protection through life's most important moments.
We believe protection should be accessible to every business
All employers share a common goal: helping their people feel financially secure. We believe employee protection should be within reach for every business.
That's why we continue to make protection accessible, flexible and relevant for organizations across the region:
98%
of employees were accepted without medical assessments.
USD 60+ billion Total Group Protection cover in the region.
688 Group Life plans covering 113,000 employees.
Global expertise, delivered through our branches and partners across the GCC.
Continuation of protection offer
Helping employers offer departing employees continued protection through a personal plan.
Let's build an employee benefits strategy that works for your people and your business. Connect with our employee benefits experts.