Several years ago life was looking pretty good for John. He owned his own home, had a great job as a builder and was planning for the future with his partner Alice.

So when he was approached by Financial Adviser Scott to look at some level of level protection, he was dubious he needed much. After all, he was fit, young and certainly didn’t have any reason to be stopping work any time soon.

“I’m just a young bloke,” John recalls saying to Scott. But after extensive time reviewing his situation and requirements, John decided on several cover options including mortgage repayment protection, trauma and life cover.

And for then, that is where the story ended.

Until one Saturday. The day started out like any other for John. But a tragic turn of events later that day would change his future forever.

It was around 4 pm on Saturday afternoon and John was driving between Cambridge and Hamilton in his work van. He was only 10 minutes from his destination when an oncoming car crossed the centre line and ploughed into him head on. Unconscious at the scene and in a critical condition, John was transferred to Waikato hospital where he remained in a drug-induced coma for several days.

His injuries were extensive with multiple fractures and internal injuries. Miraculously though, he had escaped any head injuries or major damage to his spine.

Meanwhile John’s adviser Scott heard about the horrific accident and immediately started the necessary paperwork to make claims on John’s behalf. Although his mortgage repayment protection was subject to a four week claim wait period, Scott arranged for activation of the 60 day Specific Injury Benefit which kicked in immediately. Acceptance of his mortgage protection meant that his monthly payments were activated ensuring he wouldn’t lose his home. And because John had a waiver of premium in place, all of his premium costs were met by the insurer.

In the early days after the accident, John was unaware of the financial arrangements unfolding around him, but his adviser Scott worked closely with Alice to ensure that all possible benefits were available and activated.

“Our adviser Scott also applied for the Family Member Benefit which meant Alice could stay at home and care for me for a couple of months after my discharge from hospital,” says John.

“If it wasn’t for Scott’s knowledge and guidance, we would never have thought to have these covers in place. Like most people, and especially young people, I never realised the value of insurance and a good adviser until my accident.”

But John’s story doesn’t finish there.

Scott underwent several surgeries and while recovering, embarked on an extensive rehabilitation programme. It was decided that he wouldn’t be able to return to his pre-accident occupation as a builder and in the next year he enrolled at WinTec Hamilton to re-train as a quantity surveyor.

Again, with his adviser Scott’s guidance, he made a claim for the Rehabilitation Benefit which, once accepted, enhanced his monthly entitlement by 50%.

“Without this, I would never have been able to afford the study costs to retrain,” says John.

At the beginning of this year, and close to two years after his accident, John is now back in full time employment, working as a qualified quantity surveyor in the industry he loves.

He still faces further corrective surgeries but is even hoping to start running soon, which he was told may never be possible.

“Like me, I’ve got mates who were dubious about the value of insurance and whether claims will actually be paid. But right from the beginning, working with Scott and our insurer has been completely hassle-free.”

“Without insurance, my story would have been very different.”

• Original story published on Fidelity Life’s website. We changed the names here.