The shocking and untimely death of Sunjay Kapur — chairman of auto components giant Sona Comstar and an avid polo player — has once again brought to the forefront the unpredictability of life and the urgent need for financial preparedness. Kapur, 53, died in London on June 12, 2025, after accidentally swallowing a bee during a polo match, which reportedly triggered a cardiac arrest. Despite prompt medical efforts, he could not be revived. It was an incident no one could have imagined — strange, sudden, and tragic.
This incident is more than just a bizarre piece of news; it is a stark reminder that death does not come with a warning, and no matter one’s wealth, status, or fitness level, life can change — or end — in an instant. The question we must ask ourselves is: are we prepared?
Sadly, the answer for most Indians is no, especially the middle class. Despite years of awareness campaigns and financial literacy efforts by government bodies and private institutions, a staggering 70–80% of the population remains either uninsured or underinsured. People continue to neglect the most basic financial planning tool available to them — insurance. Excuses abound: “I’ll do it next month,” “I’m healthy right now,” “It’s too expensive,” or the most common one, “Nothing will happen to me.” But as reality has repeatedly shown us — something can, and often does, happen. And when it does, it is the family that suffers the most.
The truth is that most people don’t understand the real value of insurance until it’s too late. Health insurance, for instance, is meant to be purchased when one is healthy. That’s when premiums are affordable, exclusions are minimal, and all benefits are available. But many wait until health conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or elevated cholesterol creep in — only then do they start searching for a health policy. By that time, the cost of coverage rises, and several benefits are denied or postponed through waiting periods. The regret comes only after the opportunity is lost.
Term life insurance, too, is not a luxury — it is a necessity. It is the only financial product that guarantees the security of your dependants in your absence. Yet many people either don’t buy it at all or take cover far below what their family would actually need to survive and maintain their lifestyle. Think about it: if the earning member of the family is suddenly gone, how does the family continue to pay EMIs, school fees, household expenses, or even manage basic medical care? These are real questions we must all ask ourselves — not later, but now.
In Sunjay Kapur’s case, his death has also caused procedural complications for his family due to his US citizenship. According to legal requirements, the American consulate must first complete documentation before the body can be repatriated to India. His last rites in New Delhi are on hold due to this process. This situation again illustrates that death is not just emotional — it often brings legal, financial, and administrative challenges. If such hurdles exist for a high-profile, resourceful family, one can only imagine the stress faced by middle-class families who are unprepared and uninsured.
Insurance is not only about money; it’s about dignity, stability, and peace of mind — both for the individual and for the family. No advisor or consultant wants to push their clients into buying insurance. But the reality is that advisors are often forced to chase, follow up, and convince people to take action — not because they earn commissions, but because they’ve seen what happens when families are left exposed and unprotected.
We live in a time where risks are rising — from health complications at younger ages to unpredictable accidents, pandemics, and natural disasters. Yet, a large segment of our population continues to view insurance as an afterthought, not a priority.
It’s time for a mindset shift. Buying adequate health insurance and term life insurance is not a matter of choice anymore — it is mandatory. It is the foundation of financial planning. It ensures that your dreams for your family don’t collapse in your absence. It gives your loved ones the time, money, and space to grieve without financial chaos.
So, ask yourself today: are you adequately insured? Have you done enough to protect your family if something were to happen to you? If not, then the time to act is now. Because in life, you can’t control death — but you can control how prepared you are for it.
(The writer is the founder of ‘Investment Options’, an insurance and investment consultancy based in Goa since 2013, with pan-India clientele)
