Just graduated and started your first job? Now is a great time to think about insurance. Even though you’re young and healthy, unexpected events — like accidents, illness, or disability — can happen anytime. Insurance helps protect you financially, especially when healthcare costs and living expenses continue to rise.Most insurance products are much cheaper when you’re younger and healthier, so starting early lets you lock in better rates and build a financial foundation as you begin your career.
Know Your Purpose Before Buying
Before you pick a plan, ask yourself what you’re trying to protect against:
- Medical expenses due to hospitalisation or treatment
- Income loss from illness or disability
- Financial support for family if something happens to you
Knowing your goals helps you choose the right insurance rather than buying something that looks good on paper but doesn’t meet your actual needs.
Types of Insurance Fresh Graduates Should Consider
Here are the main types of insurance that are worth considering as a fresh grad:
| Type of Insurance | Purpose / Benefits | Notes for Fresh Graduates |
| Medical Insurance (Medical Card) | Covers hospitalisation and treatment costs | Essential for young adults; protects against high unexpected medical bills |
| Critical Illness Insurance | Pays lump sum if diagnosed with serious illness (e.g., cancer, stroke, heart attack) | Helps cover daily expenses or income loss; useful even for healthy grads |
| Disability Income Insurance | Provides income support if you cannot work due to disability | Important if you have student loans or living expenses dependent on your income |
| Life Insurance (Term or Whole Life) | Provides financial protection for dependents in case of death | May be less urgent if you have no dependents, but premiums are lower when you’re young and healthy |
Medical insurance
For most graduates who have just started their workforce journey, it is important to secure good health as your entire career is ahead of you. It is ideal for young adults (with a limited budget) to prioritise medical coverage.
With the rising healthcare costs in Malaysia, medical insurance helps an individual’s medical and surgical expenses.
- Medical card: covers your medical and surgical expenses
- Critical illness insurance: payment made in a lump sum to the insured upon diagnosis of serious illnesses
- Disability income insurance: provides a supplementary income should anything happen to you that left you becoming disability / no longer able to work
Life insurance
Life insurance is for you to consider for your family, moreover, if you are the sole breadwinner in your family if you have dependents or outstanding liabilities.
Here, you can be at peace of mind knowing that your family will be financially funded in the unfortunate event of your passing or you, if diagnosed with an illness that has left you totally and permanently disabled (PTD), disabling you to work in any condition. You can ensure that your family will be financially stable when you are no longer around (living expenses, able to pay education fees, settle debt) or nursing fees to care for you if you have a PTD.
You have two options when choosing life coverage which is Term Life or Whole Life Insurance:
- Term Life: gives coverage for a fixed period of time (usually up to 30 years)
- Whole Life: provides you with a lifelong coverage with a cash value component
Critical Illness Cover
You will be paid a sum of money should you be diagnosed with these 36 critical illnesses that almost every critical illness plan offers to cover.
The insured can decide how to use the lump sum payment, as it is not restricted to medical treatment.
Tips for Fresh Graduates When Buying Insurance
- Start with what matters most: For many young adults, medical insurance is the priority because healthcare costs can be unpredictable.
- Balance coverage with your budget: Keep insurance expenses comfortably affordable as a percentage of your income.
- Compare plans and features: Different insurers offer different benefits, limits, waiting periods, and co-payment options — comparing helps you get value for money.
- Avoid being overly insured: Buying more coverage than you need can lead to premiums that strain your budget.
- Review and adjust over time: Your insurance needs will change as your career and financial situation evolve — make sure to review your coverage periodically.
Conclusion
As a fresh graduate, it’s smart to start building a financial safety net rather than leaving it for later. Prioritise medical insurance to protect against unexpected health costs, consider life insurance if you have dependents or financial obligations, and add critical illness cover if your budget allows.
Choosing insurance early gives you better rates, broader options, and peace of mind — which lets you focus on your career and life goals without unnecessary financial stress.
BJAK’s insurance experts can help tailor the right plan for your budget and needs, so you get protection that fits your life.
