Local tech startup launches innovative cover for wills

 CliqTech, a South African tech startup has launched a unique product called SmartCover, an innovative service, that aims to cover all expenses and fees associated with the winding up of the estate of a person after he or she has passed away. 

SmartCover is the first of it’s kind in the country, offering a unique service catering to wills and estates

The new innovative SmartCover has been created through a partnership between CliqTech and Fedgroup life, one of South Africa’s leading independent services providers. 

Zale Hechter, CEO of CliqTech comments on the launch of their new product and the partnership 

“We are pleased to announce our partnership with Fedgroup through our new SmartCover product, which makes Fedgroup an integral part of the SmartWill process. This is a first-to-market South African digital product that offers insurance cover in addition to a personalised online Will. Our partnership will go a long way to alleviating the financial burden on loved ones while dealing with a person’s death, which is so important during the Covid-19 pandemic.” 

CliqTech 

Founded in 2019 CliqTech is one of the country’s leading fiduciary technology (fidtech) companies. Established by a group of social entrepreneurs, CliqTech’s first innovative product is the SmartWill which was launched in 2019. 

SmartWill allows clients to create personalised wills online. Adding to their innovative offering, CliqTech has created two ‘sub-products’, namely SmartCover and SmartWish. 

SmartCover

The passing of a loved one can be both emotionally, mentally, and physically taxing. In many cases, individuals are unaware of the process that is involved in winding up an estate, which can be both costly and immensely time-consuming. 

“Over the years of assisting clients with customised online Wills, we’ve realised that many people are unaware of the large sums of money that are often required for immediate expenses and to pay fees and taxes to finalise an estate. This means that the families and beneficiaries of breadwinners are often left out of pocket with indefinite delays, adding to the emotional and financial burden of death,” explains Hechter.

Developed by CliqTech, SmartCover aims to relieve the financial burdens surrounding the closure of an estate. 

Benefits of SmartCover: 

• Beneficiaries or family members indicated on the SmartCover policy will receive a portion of the funding within 48 hours. This initial payout can be used to cover immediate expenses such as funeral costs, school fees, and other living expenses. 

• Once the estate has been finalised, the remaining portion is paid out to cover property transfer costs, capital gains tax, executor’s fees, and other estate duty costs. 

SmartCover is available to anyone who signs up for a SmartWill.

The SmartWill SmartCalculator will calculate a customer’s risk exposure within minutes using state-of-the-art technology developed by CliqTech. In addition, this will provide customers with a Fedgroup-underwritten insurance cover at the time of death. 

The new partnership also offers a policyholder a SmartWish. This sub-product on offer allows users to “leave a wish after you pass on”, it could range from a family holiday to a donation to a charity of your choice. 

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