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Seniors Life Insurance
Looking for the best seniors life insurance? Compare a range of offers with Savvy today.
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No matter how you plan to spend your golden years, taking out life insurance can give you peace of mind that your loved ones will be looked after financially, whatever happens. If you’re considering taking out a seniors’ life insurance policy, Savvy can help you find one which is right for you.
Comparing deals with us allows you to get quotes from some of Australia’s leading insurers and consider offers side-by-side so you can get the right cover at the best price. You’ll be able to see who offers the most coverage, spot the policies bursting with benefits and sniff out the most affordable deal. Start the process with Savvy today with a free, no-obligation quote.
Can I get life insurance as a senior?
Yes – you’ll be able to purchase a life insurance policy if you’re over 60 that can offer you coverage based on your stage of life. In most cases, though, insurers will have an upper age limit which applies to seniors buying their first policy. This does tend to vary depending on who you decide to buy with, but it generally rules out seniors over 75 who haven’t already purchased coverage.
Once you’ve bought a policy, you’ll be able to get coverage even if you’re over 80 or 85. In most cases, insurers will keep covering you as long as you’re under 100.
Remember that your insurer will consider other variables outside your age before providing you with life insurance coverage. Fortunately, you can compare a range of offers for seniors right here with Savvy to help you gain an understanding of the types of policies available to you and how much they might cost.
What types of life insurance can seniors purchase?
No matter if you’re a senior over 60 or even 70, there are types of life insurance policies on the market which can cover you. It pays to compare these forms of insurance with Savvy to see which one best suits your situation. Some of these include:
Life cover
In Australia, life cover is the most widely held policy. Life insurance typically covers you until you reach 100 and pays out to your family if you pass away. You may also receive money if you're diagnosed with a terminal condition, while you can get funds ahead of time to assist in paying for your funeral.
Income protection insurance
Assuming you haven’t yet retired, this kind of insurance will pay up to 70% of your usual wage (generally monthly) if you become temporarily unable to work due to an accident or sickness. Income protection insurance does not cover redundancy. Some Australian insurance companies cover those over 60, although most of them do not.
Total and permanent disability (TPD) insurance
Your insurance company will provide you a lump sum payment if you become fully and permanently handicapped and are never able to work again. It's important to note that although most insurance policies have an age restriction for those over 65, others have a later cut-off.
Trauma insurance
Seniors over 60 or 65 can take out trauma insurance, either as a new policy or as a rider to their current life insurance. Trauma insurance often covers up to fifty different medical conditions, including heart attacks and strokes.
What are some of the benefits of seniors life insurance?
As we age, the prospect of leaving our loved ones to pay for mounting medical expenditures in the event of your death can be a real worry. However, life insurance provides an invaluable safety net so you won't have to fret about how your family will make ends meet. This way, your benefit can be used to clear debts and cover some of those final expenses if needed.
If you're trying to decide if life insurance is something you need, it's essential to consider some of the benefits, including:
- Peace of mind: buying life insurance can alleviate the stress of thinking about how your loved ones would manage financially in the event of your untimely death. By comparing with Savvy, you can find a policy that's specifically tailored to your stage of life and can cover you up to 75 or 85 years old and beyond.
- Terminal illness expenses: if you're diagnosed with a terminal illness, you may be up for the cost of your treatment, medication and alternate therapies. Having life insurance can safeguard you and your loved ones from paying for your funeral and some of that other final expenditure out of their own pockets or from your savings.
- Clear your debts: you may still have outstanding bills such as a mortgage, credit card balances or personal loans even if you’re nearing retirement age or over 80 years old. You can ease the financial load on your loved ones after your death by taking out life insurance to help settle any outstanding bills.
- Dividing your estate: you can name one beneficiary to inherit your home or company, holiday home, and other assets while designating another family member to receive a lump sum from your life insurance policy, which can help keep these assets remain in the family.
Types of life insurance
Life cover can pay a nominated beneficiary a lump sum if you’re diagnosed with a terminal illness or pass away. This type of insurance can provide your immediate family or another loved one some financial assistance to cover funerals, medical costs and day-to-day expenses.
If you’re injured or too sick to work for an extended period, income protection insurance is designed to help you focus on your recovery. You can be covered for up to 70% of your usual wage for a chosen period, such as five years or up to age 65, depending on the level of coverage you buy.
This type of insurance is designed to offer cover to those who are permanently disabled by injury or illness and are no longer able to work. You can choose to take out cover for an inability to work in your current job or in any role suited to your qualifications.
Trauma insurance is a type of policy which provides you with a lump sum payment in the event of a critical illness or major accident. The conditions eligible for claims will be outlined in your insurer's PDS, but can include cancer, heart disease, severe head trauma and cardiovascular disorders.
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What factors determine the cost of seniors life insurance?
Your age
In general, the cost of life insurance rises with age, so delaying the purchase until later in life might result in a hefty premium increase. The reason for this is because as people become older, they become more susceptible to sickness and pose a higher risk to the insurer. As such, you’re likely to pay more for your policy than a younger person.
Your gender
Women often pay less for their life insurance because they have a greater life expectancy than men. However, this will only be a relatively minor factor considered when working out how much you pay for your policy.
Your health
It goes without saying that taking care of yourself may help you lower your life insurance premiums. You may also qualify for a lower premium even if you have a pre-existing condition like high cholesterol or blood pressure. In some cases, you may need to undergo a medical evaluation of your body mass index (BMI), blood pressure and general health. Your insurance company may enquire as to whether anybody in your family has suffered from cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes or a severe mental condition like bipolar disorder.
Your work
If your insurance company sees your industry as more dangerous, you may see a rise in your premiums even if you keep your day job. For instance, the cost of life insurance for firefighters is typically higher than for someone with a standard office job.
Smoking or non-smoking
Life insurance premiums for smokers are often two to three times as high as those for non-smokers. Insurance companies will only consider you a non-smoker if you have been smoke-free for at least a year.
Your hobbies
Your premiums will likely be lower if you indulge in activities like reading, bridge and walking than if you are a frequent bungee jumper or parasailer.
Frequently asked questions about seniors life insurance
If you’re looking for a seniors’ life insurance policy, comparing with Savvy will help you sniff out the right one for you and your loved ones. Some of the factors worth comparing include:
- What’s included and what isn’t
- The price of your premiums
- The maximum levels of coverage
- Any other benefits (for example, coverage suspension or advance payments)
- Waiting periods (these can range from a few weeks to a few months)
Many life insurance companies won’t cover pre-existing conditions under your policy, however, there are exceptions if you shop around. For example, some providers will offer you a partial benefit for a payout related to your pre-existing condition or afford you total coverage for it at an additional cost.
It's customary to choose a life insurance beneficiary when purchasing a policy. If you have life insurance and choose a spouse, child or grandchild to receive the payment in the event of your death, that person will receive any benefit payable on your death by the insurance company. You may name a child, grandchild, business partner, friend, sibling, or trust to handle your affairs if you pass away.
If you’re leaving your payout to a grandchild, they must be at least 18 years old to lawfully receive a payout in their name. They would also need a trustee or legal guardian to handle the funds until then. It’s important to inform your chosen recipient of your decision. This is because a beneficiary will need a copy of the death certificate to file a claim after the insured has passed away.
You and your loved ones are free to spend a life insurance settlement in any way you see fit, including on final expenses, continuing living expenses and anything else that could arise because of your passing.
Yes – you can buy life insurance on behalf of your parents if they’re too sick or find the process too complicated. However, you must get their written permission before you purchase a policy and you must prove that their death would financially impact you.
The long and short of it is that Australians travelling overseas can be covered by their life insurance policies, but there are a few details to iron out. It’s best to consider:
- The terms of your life insurance policy
- Whether your policy excludes coverage in certain countries
- If you’re planning to be away for longer than five years
- Other types of coverage while you’re on holiday, such as travel insurance
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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.
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