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Life Insurance Terminal Illness
Find out more about life insurance coverage for terminal illnesses and compare policies through Savvy.
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Life insurance can provide financial security to you and your loved ones in the event of an unexpected illness or death. For those with a terminal illness, such as cancer or degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, it can be especially crucial to have a plan in place to ease the financial burden on your family during a difficult time and after you pass away.
If you're considering buying life insurance in the event you’re diagnosed with a terminal illness, it's important to compare policies from multiple insurers to help you find the best coverage for your needs. With Savvy, you can easily compare terminal illness cover options from a range of trusted insurers in one place. Get started today with a free, no-obligation quote through us.
What is a terminal illness in life insurance?
A terminal illness as defined by a life insurance policy is one where the policyholder is diagnosed with an incurable condition which is expected to result in their death within 12 to 24 months of the diagnosis (depending on your insurer’s terms and conditions). This will generally require certification from at least one to two specialists and will be subject to your insurer’s other qualification criteria.
However, it’s important to note that this definition may vary between insurers, so you should always check with yours before you purchase your policy.
Can I receive a life insurance payout if I’m diagnosed with a terminal illness?
You can receive a life insurance payout if you’re diagnosed with a terminal illness, provided you satisfy your insurer’s criteria related to your illness. This is known as a terminal illness benefit and is often included as a standard feature in life insurance policies.
The purpose of the terminal illness benefit is to provide financial support to the policyholder during a difficult time, as well as provide funds to their family to prepare for costs related to the end of their life.
The payout can be used to cover medical expenses, home care and other costs associated with the illness. It can also provide peace of mind and financial security for the policyholder's loved ones and be used for any other household expenses, such as mortgage repayments or other ongoing bills.
It’s important to note that although life insurance policies do include a terminal illness benefit, it’s still essential to review the terms and conditions before purchasing your policy so you can be sure of what is and isn’t covered.
Additionally, some policies may have specific exclusions or waiting periods before the benefit is payable. You can compare a range of offers through Savvy, which you can start today.
Will I be able to buy life insurance if I have a terminal illness?
If you’ve already been diagnosed with a terminal illness before purchasing your life insurance policy, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to buy one. This is because insurers assess applications based on the risk posed by the policyholder of making a claim. If you’re suffering from a terminal illness, you’re likely to be deemed too great a risk to insure.
As such, if you’re looking to lock in life insurance coverage, it’s important to do so while you’re still fit and healthy, as this will maximise your chances of being covered if you fall ill down the track.
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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Common questions about life insurance and terminal illness
The key difference between terminal and critical illness is that while terminal illness cover only pays out if you’ve been given 12 to 24 months to live, critical illness in life insurance refers to a serious medical condition or illness which is listed in the policy as a condition that would trigger a lump sum payment from the insurer. This is the case regardless of whether the critical illness is considered terminal, such as non-terminal cancer. Such conditions are covered under a different type of insurance known as trauma cover, or critical illness cover.
To make a terminal illness claim, you’ll need to contact your life insurer and provide them with evidence of your diagnosis, such as a medical certificate or report from a qualified medical practitioner (or practitioner). Your insurer will then assess your claim and may request additional information or evidence, after which you can receive an outcome on your claim.
Life cover in Australia comes without a maximum amount, meaning you can select how much to insure yourself for in the event of your death or terminal illness diagnosis. The more you’re insured for, the more your policy will cost, so consider the amount you or your family may need in the late stages of your life or after you pass away.
In most cases, you won’t be required to repay your life insurance benefit if you outlive your life expectancy as indicated by your specialists. However, once you receive your payout, your coverage will cease and you’ll no longer be able to receive any benefits or coverage from that policy.
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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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