Life Insurance Direct Blog

Some of the most significant changes ever to income protection have been mandated by APRA. No later than 1 October 2021 the next four changes will kick in.

The 2023 Private Health Insurance Premium Increase in Australia averages 2.9%, but the exact increase will vary depending on the insurer and policy. Policyholders will receive a notice from their insurer before 1 April detailing any changes to their policy and associated costs.

Discover the best six ways to lead a healthier lifestyle this new year for free. Review easy yet effective exercise routines and compare insurance company rewards earned by meeting your wellness goals.

Review and compare the different levels of coverage and benefits you can receive through AIA Vitality Health Insurance and AIA Vitality. Compare policies to find the best healthcare insurance for your requirements.

In December 2019, the Chinese authorities detected the outbreak of the Coronavirus, which causes the disease Covid-19. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the disease a pandemic on 11 March 2020, as the illness reached over 110 countries and territories across the globe. Many Australians are concerned whether their life insurance will pay out should…

TAL Insurance replaces AIA Insurance Rest, one of Australia’s largest super funds previously enjoyed a 15-year relationship with AIA Australia. However, after reviewing both companies’ insurance offerings, Rest felt that TAL would offer its members more affordable and flexible insurance.   In May 2019, the super fund asked TAL to become its new life insurance…

It’s become all too common for most people to carry around a smartphone with a front facing camera. When you couple this with a burning desire for instant gratification, the consequences could be dire.  Selfies are fast becoming most people’s favourite way to document their experiences. This is particularly true for travelers who typically can’t…

One of the biggest concerns people buying life insurance has, is whether their policy will payout should they suddenly pass away or become sick or injured. While a track record of claims paid is not the sole indicator of performance, it can be an important factor to consider when comparing companies and choosing a policy…

If you’re 31 years old, learn how you can avoid the additional 2% loading fee when purchasing private health insurance before the 1st of July.

There’s been a lot of news lately regarding Superannuation changes, for example how your retirement savings might get eroded by inappropriate insurance and what government is doing to protect you. With all the changes and technical jargon thrown around, it’s understandable that many members are left confused. This article aims to clarify…

AIA myOwn: Health Insurance That Gives Back A different type of health insurance that helps you get healthier and provide you with more value by combining hospital and extras cover with the AIA Vitality membership. AIA Health Insurance Australia offers you up to 70% back on Extras from recognised providers, up to your annual limits….

Insurers who offer rewards programs Here are some of the reduced premiums and wellness rewards for maintaining a healthy lifestyle that are now available from multiple insurers in the Australian life insurance market, such as: AIA Vitality Zurich LiveWell ClearView Health Rewards NEOS Preferred Lives Discount TAL Health Sense Resisting repeated temptations and willing yourself…

The Life Insurance Direct Refer A Friend program offers anyone the opportunity to get one month’s worth of premium for free, up to a maximum of $100 for each successful friend referral. Not only will you save money, but you might even protect a friend against underinsurance. Underinsurance is a massive concern in Australia. You…

A life insurance policy is one of the most important types of insurance you will ever apply for and outside of home insurance, it may be the most important insurance policy you have. As a result, when you apply for a policy you will be required to go through a detailed application process wherein you…

It is emotionally and financially stressful when a family member passes away, similarly stressful is being told that you can no longer work due to an illness or injury. These life events are challenging enough on their own, but now you must undergo the complex process of lodging an income protection, disablement, critical illness or…

The best life insurance policy is the policy which suits you and your individual circumstances. Every policy offers different built-in features and additional policy options, as well as different price levels. Not everyone will suit every single policy offered by insurers. Four easy steps to finding the best life insurance policy: Step 1: Speak to…

You might have heard about the life insurance discount offered by RACV and wondered if they’ve expanded their services to include life cover. While RACV offers cover for your home, your car and even your boat, they do not offer life insurance. However, if you’re an RACV insurance member, you can save on newly purchased…

Australian expat living overseas In relation to expats living overseas, a number of insurers have changed / updated their views on how willing they are to offer life / tpd / trauma or income protection to expat Australians livings aboard. Firstly: Here are some of the key pieces of information that we would need to…

Life insurance underwriting has everything to do with risk. When you apply for insurance coverage, you are essentially asking the insurance company to take on the potential risk of having to pay a future claim, should something unforeseen happen to you, for example, death or disability. Be aware, many of direct insurers have extensive exclusions…

The industry wide ASIC 498 report into life insurance claims outcomes unveiled the truth about how a customer’s choice of distribution channel (policy type) has a considerable bearing on the likelihood of their claim being accepted or declined. The findings were staggering, compared to the Retail (Advised) distribution channel, Non Advised (Direct) distribution channels have…

The recent 498 report by ASIC looked into life insurance claims and disputes registered with an external dispute resolution entity in the Life Insurance Sector. It revealed detailed statistics around claims; claims paid in full, partially, and declined. This report provides the industry with some invaluable insights, however it is also important that consumers become…

It’s another typical Australian day. You wake up at 06:00 and prepare the kid’s lunches while they attempt breakfast by having a bowl of Weet-Bix and spilling mot of it on the floor. Two hours of chaos later you’re dressed and heading out the door. You manage to drop the kids off just as the…

Avoid Being Overcharged on Your Life Insurance Premiums Sydney: 18 July, 2016 – Life Insurance Direct has done extensive research of more than 3,000 quotes from 32 brands to launch the 2016 Life Insurance Direct Quote Index. The research reveals that certain big brands are consistently overcharging on life insurance premiums. The 2016 Life Insurance…

When buying life insurance you’re often content knowing that, if you should pass away unexpectedly, your insurance company will step in and financially support your loved ones. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. This article explores ways you can increase your control and certainty of your policy paying out. Earlier this year , on the…

After years of arriving early to work and staying late, you’ve finally been promoted. Your new position allows you more freedom, creativity and the opportunity to travel. You’re immigrating to one of the best countries in the world, Australia. Because of its high quality of life, Australia has been ranked the second-best country in the…

After months of meticulous planning and years of daydreaming you’ve finally been approved for a home loan. You move in and start decorating, filling each space with beloved knickknacks. The mortgage repayments are high, but you’ve budgeted, you feel confident. Out shopping one morning, a newspaper headline catches your eye: “Property price surge could lead…

Don’t take ‘no’ for an answer and talk to a specialist Consumers who experience difficulty getting insurance – including life, income protection, trauma or total and permanent disability (TPD) – need to be determined and keep trying. “Just because one life insurance company won’t cover you, doesn’t mean another won’t,” says lifeinsurancedirect.com.au CEO Russell Cain. Cain says…

Despite their usefulness, generalisations aren’t always entirely reliable, they can often be misleading, and at other times, simply wrong. For insurance purposes, some generalisations are useful to assessing risks, costs and consequences; all other things being equal females will outlive males, tobacco use is detrimental to your health and the probability of death increases with…

We live in an age of food panic. If you were to do look at your online search history, the words gluten free, diary free, soy, egg and/or nut free are most likely in your most recent searches. This is not surprising. According to the Centres of Disease Control and Prevention, food allergies among children…

Life Insurance Direct have the exclusive right to publish the  ‘Life Insurance Framework Survey 2015’, as authorised by the Life Insurance For Consumer Group. All references to this survey must use the following link: https://www.lifeinsurancedirect.com.au/life-insurance-framework-survey Post the Life Insurance Framework (LIF) announcement, there was a plenty of anecdotal evidence of misrepresentation, and deep concern that…

Questions premium price spike SYDNEY: 7 September, 2015 – lifeinsurancedirect.com.au is questioning whether the current spike in premiums on life insurance offered by insurers to consumers via financial advisers amounts to price gouging. But Mr Cain said the price increases, which will make it more expensive for consumers to buy life insurance via advisers, comes…

Protect our firefighters SYDNEY: 12 August, 2015 – A Bill recently introduced into the Queensland Parliament has highlighted the need for Australia to commit to better protecting firefighters, according to LifeInsuranceDirect.com.au. The Bill, which would change the Workers Compensation Act, seeks to put in place a qualifying period a professional firefighter would have to work…

SYDNEY: 10 July, 2015 – Life insurers are allowing a misperception that advisers are being paid upfront commissions of up to 120% to continue, according to Life Insurance Direct. “Their intent might be unclear but the effect is not,” says Life Insurance Direct CEO, Russell Cain. “This view of adviser remuneration is popularly accepted but,…

Are you paying too much? With the plethora of life insurance offers now being marketed to Australians, consumers may be confused about which policies are more affordable, according to Life Insurance Direct Australia (Life Insurance Direct) CEO, Russell Cain. To help consumers make more informed choices, Life Insurance Direct conducted first of its kind research…

xLife has rebranded We are happy to announce the exciting news that xLife has rebranded and will now be known as Life Insurance Direct Australia! Our new name comes with a brand new logo and an amazing new website, lifeinsurancedirect.com.au. After 8 fantastic years as xLife, founder and CEO Russell Cain feels the time is…

With premiums increasing on the Pre October 2021 policies, we give you four ways to reduce your premiums, while maintaining these more generous terms and condition policies.

Common misconceptions about life insurance include believing that it’s too expensive, you won’t need it as a singleton, a belief that your insurance through super is enough and that it’s something that’s only necessary when you get older.

From no later than the 31st October 2021, professionals eg: lawyers, doctors, and specialists are going to find it more difficult to protect the same level of their income than is currently available.

Insurtech Platform Life Insurance Direct has a new premium projection facility as part of its comparison engine to help you estimate your potential annual insurance premiums. Learn how much you can expect to pay for your life insurance premiums for the next 10 years.

Learn more about the impact on consumers as the number of financial advisers are dwindling every year.

Learn more about how income insurance will change and how insurers will be free to downgrade policies and have the option not to renew.

From no later than the 31st October 2021, professionals eg: lawyers, doctors, and specialists are going to find it more difficult to protect the same level of their income than is currently available.

With new Agreed Value policies recently taken off the market, and proof of income periods for indemnity policies set to change imminently, it‘ harder than ever before for self employed to protect their income.

Income protection ensures that you’re taken care of if you can’t work. Learn more about how it works, the difference between waiting and benefit periods and how premiums are calculated.

COVID-19 has strengthened the trend of no-examination Life Insurance in the industry but we need to consider whether this will truly give us the best outcome.

Protect & provide for your family with the Life Insurance Direct Wallet. One place to store all your life insurance information for quick & easy comparisons

Have you given up smoking in recent years? Or maybe your superannuation fund has wrongly classified you as smoker. Now is a good time to check and make sure you’re not paying extra on your premiums.

Operating in these difficult economic times has forced many insurers to change their pricing and product features to ensure sustainability in the future so that they can continue to benefit their customers.

As a part of AIA Vitality’s ongoing efforts to support the health and physical wellness of their members they’re now rewarding Vitality members with an Apple Watch Series 5 (GPS) for reaching their weekly physical activity targets.

Have you started thinking about income protection insurance? With all this uncertainty in the economy at the moment, you’re not alone.

Congratulations! You’ve probably recently come to realise that you need life insurance, great stuff! Here are some questions to ask when buying life insurance.