TSX/NYSE/PSE: MFC   
SEHK:945 

WATERLOO, ON, Feb. 4, 2013 /CNW/ - Understanding insurance needs just got easier with Manulife's new InsureRight app. The app, now available for the new BlackBerry 10 smartphone and the Apple iPad, uses an interactive approach to help consumers learn about insurance and help them estimate how much life insurance they may need.

The InsureRight app is based on InsureRight.ca, a Manulife website that provides consumers with tools and calculators to help determine how much life and health insurance they may need. Accessible anytime, anywhere, the app is built to take advantage of the user's particular platform so they can explore their financial protection goals using the device they're most comfortable with.

"The InsureRight app is a terrific starting point for anyone interested in insurance," said Josef Frank, AVP of Insurance Marketing, Retail Markets. "It helps take some of the mystery out of buying insurance by allowing consumers to evaluate their own personal needs in a friendly, visual way."

The new mobile app is designed to provide a user-friendly experience for consumers on the go. From any BlackBerry 10 device or Apple iPad, the app includes a video to help users think about what they may want to protect and a Risk Calculator to help them learn about the risks they may face. Plus, the Quick Quote calculator provides an estimate of how much life insurance the user may need.

"The app is easy-to-use and very interactive so it helps consumers learn about their insurance needs and feel comfortable talking about them," said Mr. Frank. "When it comes time to meet with an advisor, they'll have a better idea of what they want to protect and how their advisor can help them."

With the app, users can access InsureRight with or without an Internet connection. When a connection is available, in addition to providing an estimate of how much life insurance may be right, the app estimates the monthly cost. If consumers want a full review of their life, critical illness and disability insurance needs, they can also use the InsureRight calculator, available at InsureRight.ca.

Download the app from BlackBerry World or iTunes or visit InsureRight.ca.

About InsureRight.ca

InsureRight.ca is an innovative website designed to help Canadians realize the importance of life and health insurance to protect themselves and those they love. The site's easy-to-use tools and calculators make it simple for consumers to determine how much insurance they may need.

InsureRight.ca includes a Quick Quote feature for life insurance that uses just a few questions to provide an idea of how much life insurance may be right. The InsureRight Calculator gives a more complete analysis, reviewing life, critical illness and disability insurance needs. The site also features a video for a quick tour of the website and a Risk Calculator that estimates the likelihood of needing life, critical illness or disability insurance before age 65.

About Manulife Financial

Manulife Financial is a leading Canada-based financial services group with principal operations in Asia, Canada and the United States. Clients look to Manulife for strong, reliable, trustworthy and forward-thinking solutions for their most significant financial decisions. Our international network of employees, agents and distribution partners offers financial protection and wealth management products and services to millions of clients. We also provide asset management services to institutional customers. Funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were C$515 billion (US$523 billion) as at September 30, 2012. The Company operates as Manulife Financial in Canada and Asia and primarily as John Hancock in the United States.

Manulife Financial Corporation trades as 'MFC' on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under '945' on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at manulife.com.

SOURCE: Manulife Financial Corporation