Compare Life Insurance
Compare life insurance policies from a panel of trusted companies side-by-side with Savvy.
Fact checked
We’ve partnered with Compare Club to bring you a range of life insurance policies to help you compare them side by side.
The first step you should take when in the market for a new life insurance policy is to compare the offers available to you. Doing so can help you make a more informed choice on which offers provide the cover you’re looking for, any attractive benefits or are available at an affordable cost. The comparison process is 100% online when you consider your options with Savvy, while you can also speak with a life insurance expert over the phone before you buy.
With offers from a list of some of Australia’s most trusted life insurance providers, you can look at competitive deals in one place before you decide on which policy to purchase. Simply fill out a free, no-obligation quote to get started with us today.
How do I compare life insurance policies?
A comparison of life insurance products may help you find a policy which best meets you and your loved ones' needs. When you're considering your options through Savvy, you'll want to contrast several factors, including:
Type of cover
There are several different types of life insurance, so it’s important to understand how each of these is unique and the cover they can offer you. All coverage is subject to your insurer’s terms and conditions, so it’s important to familiarise yourself with what is and isn’t covered before you buy.
Premiums
The price you pay for your life insurance, known as a premium, can vary depending on a range of factors, such as the type of policy you buy, who you purchase it through and, most importantly, your individual profile. This will include areas such as your age, occupation, medical history and whether you smoke. In addition, premiums for life insurance may be either stepped or level with certain companies. Whereas level rates may be more expensive upfront but cheaper when you’re older, stepped premiums rise yearly as you age.
Inclusions
Compare different policies by making sure you get the most out of your insurance premiums. Depending on what you buy and who you buy with, life insurance policies may include benefits such as funeral cost advancement, coverage for trips outside the country and inflation-proofing.
Exclusions
It’s important to note that several circumstances aren’t covered by life insurance. For instance, travel to regions of active conflict or warzones can void your life insurance claim, as can suicide (though some insurers may cover this outside the first 13 months of your policy). Considering these while comparing policies from different providers is essential.
Waiting periods
After purchasing a life insurance policy, it may take time for your coverage to kick in. For instance, with income protection insurance, there is usually a waiting time of two weeks to two years which you can select before you can make a claim. As such, it’s worthwhile taking the time to consider different policies to determine whether there are any which can offer the waiting period you’re after.
Covered amount
Life insurance's key benefit is providing financial support to those left behind if you pass away or become critically injured or ill. As such, it’s important to buy enough coverage to account for costs your loved ones may have to pay in your absence. However, these limits may change depending on the type of cover you’re after, so it’s important to consider different offers and look for one which can facilitate the payout you’re looking for.
What factors can impact the cost of my life insurance?
There isn’t one cost which applies when it comes to life insurance, with the price of your premium instead coming down to a unique set of variables. These include:
Your age
Age is one of the critical factors in deciding how much you pay for a life insurance policy. Younger people are likely to pay less for life insurance than older people, with the risk of developing serious illness and disease increasing as you age. That doesn’t mean it isn’t still important to compare offers based on their cost if you’re a senior, though.
Any pre-existing conditions
Insurance premiums are often more expensive for those who have a pre-existing medical condition, which is why some providers may require you to undergo a medical exam as part of the application process. They'll look at several factors, with your weight, height, blood pressure and cholesterol levels being the most sought-after pieces of information. Those with pre-existing conditions may pay more for their life insurance in line with any increased risk your insurer perceives.
Your job
Firefighters, telephone linesmen and high-rise window washers may be among the types of occupations insurers deem high-risk. As such, if you’re looking to take out life insurance and work in one of these areas or another which may pose risk to your safety, you may find you’ll be paying a higher premium on your policy than someone with an office job, for instance.
Your hobbies
The cost of your life insurance may be affected by the type of hobby you pursue. Those who prefer reading or jigsaw puzzles to, say, paragliding, motorcycle riding or bungee jumping are more likely to gain access to cheaper premiums.
Smoking or alcohol use
While a pack of cigarettes may be expensive, so too is life insurance if you’re a smoker. Smokers attract higher premiums on their policies because of the known links to serious conditions such as heart attack, stroke, cancer and other critical diseases. On the other hand, while a few drinks won’t rule you out of getting life insurance, you may pay a higher price if you’re an excessive drinker. Also, if you use recreational or unprescribed drugs, you’ll pay a higher premium or your application may be declined.
What types of life insurance policies should I compare?
Insurance companies offer a few different types of policy, which you can compare quotes for with Savvy today. These include:
Life cover
Life cover can provide your loved ones with a financial cushion in the event of your death or terminal illness diagnosis (subject to your insurer’s terms and conditions) so they can continue making payments on things such as the mortgage or credit cards. There are no set limits regarding how much you may be able to be insured for under a life cover policy.
Income protection insurance
Income protection insurance can provide you with an ongoing benefit if you’re unable to return to work for an extended period due to illness or injury. This type of insurance can cover up to 70% of the income you were earning prior to your injury or illness, which may allow the policyholder to continue making payments on their mortgage or rent, focus on their recovery and eventually return to work. You’ll also generally be able to choose your benefit period, which may range up to five years or up to the age of 65 with some insurers.
Total and permanent disability (TPD) insurance
This type of insurance is designed for those whose illness or injury leaves them permanently disabled and prevents them from ever working again. There are two main options for this insurance: cover if you can’t undertake your current job or a policy if you’re unable to undertake any work suitable to your training, education and qualification. Coverage varies from person to person and depends on the cover you buy, but some insurers can offer a payout of up to $3 million to $5 million.
Trauma insurance
Trauma insurance can pay out a sum of money if you’re diagnosed with a critical illness or suffer a major injury, though longer-term conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease can also be included. Some common claims on trauma insurance include cancer, heart attacks and strokes. A payout under this type of cover, which may be up to $2 million, allows you to pay for your ongoing medical costs that Medicare or your private health provider doesn’t pick up.
Types of life insurance
Why compare life insurance through Savvy?
100% free service
You can compare life insurance policies through us for free, allowing you to come back and continue comparing at any time.
Trusted insurers
By considering life insurance policies from insurers you can trust, you can be confident in the quality of the comparison process.
Compare policies online
By filling out a simple online quote form, you can compare offers based on their coverage, cost and more before you buy.
Our step-by-step guide to buying and comparing life insurance
Grab a quote
The first thing to do is to fill out a form. You’ll be required to provide details such as your age, whether you’re a smoker and if you have any pre-existing medical conditions, as well as confirm the coverage you need. Once you’ve supplied all this information, your life insurance quotes can be generated.
Compare your options
Once you’ve filled out your form, you can compare a range of quotes with real-time premium estimates currently available on the market. Consider what’s included under your policy and what isn’t, as well as the cost of your premiums, before choosing the best mixture.
Schedule a call back
If you find one you wish to buy, you can schedule a call back with a life insurance expert. This allows you to chat with them about the specific areas of your policy you may be unsure about or need clarification on and they can help advise which policy is best for you. You pick the day and time to have the conversation.
Purchase your policy
If everything’s looking good, you can go ahead and purchase your policy (which your expert will handle the paperwork for). After you’ve bought your policy, your coverage will kick in as soon as your waiting period is completed (if there is one included under your policy).
Top tips for saving money on your life insurance
Compare with Savvy
Savvy simplifies the process of comparing life insurance plans from a range of providers. You can compare plans from our partner’s panel of some of Australia's most reputable insurers and determine whether there are any which meet your needs. Crucially, before committing to a policy, you can compare its features side-by-side with other offers.
Pay an annual premium
Some life insurance providers offer discounts for paying your premium annually instead of monthly. They may offer up to 10% off if you sign up and pay your premium upfront, as it means fewer administration costs for them. However, it’s important to pay premiums as often as you’re comfortable.
Consider your lifestyle
Quitting smoking, hitting the gym and taking up some safer hobbies can be ways of reducing the cost of your life insurance. For example, being a smoker usually doubles the cost of your life insurance, so if you were to ditch the cigarettes for 12 months, you could save hundreds of dollars on your policy almost immediately and even more throughout your lifetime.
Only pay for the cover you need
While some insurance companies allow you to take out coverage in the millions of dollars, your loved ones may not need that financial security if you have sufficient savings and/or super. As such, it’s worth drawing up a budget and working out exactly what they’ll need to live on before choosing a level of cover.
Helpful life insurance guides
Life insurance by your condition & profile
Compare life insurance options aligned to your medical condition and profile and receive no-obligation quotes from some of Australia's leading insurers.
Disclaimer:
Savvy is partnered with Compare Club Australia Pty Ltd (AFS representative number 001279036) of Alternative Media Pty Ltd (AFS License number 486326) to provide readers with a variety of life insurance policies to compare. Savvy earns a commission from Compare Club each time a customer buys a life insurance policy via our website. We don’t arrange for products to be purchased from these brands directly, as all purchases are conducted via Compare Club.
Savvy does not compare all life insurance policies or providers currently operating in the market. Any advice presented above or on other pages is general in nature and doesn’t consider your personal or business objectives, needs or finances. It’s always important to consider whether advice is suitable for you before purchasing an insurance policy.
For any further information on the variety of insurers compared by Compare Club or how their business works, you can read their Financial Services Guide.
