Nine big life insurance myths busted

So you thought you knew all about life insurance?

Before examining the nine myths around life insurance, consider one key truth: fully underwritten life insurance can bring an added degree of financial security and peace of mind into your life. Whilst the following is not personal financial advice, it does contain useful information which many people should think about - especially if you are a tradie.

Myth 1: Less medical questions means quicker and better cover

Some directly available life insurance covers don’t ask many health questions when you apply. Often these have broader pre-existing condition clauses that may result in a greater likelihood of your claim being delayed or even declined.

If you already have life insurance or are thinking about taking out cover, do your homework: always read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and other documents from your insurer to make sure you know what you are, and are not, covered for. It can be easy to buy cover because it’s quick and/or cheap, but this doesn’t mean it’s the best life insurance for your particular circumstances.

Myth 2: I’m single, so I don’t need life insurance

Fact: Even if you don’t have any dependants or a partner, there may still be debts to pay and funeral expenses to cover if you were to pass away. For example, the average basic cremation in Australia costs upwards of $4000, with burials costing much more.

If you don’t have many debts, nor a partner or children to think about, then your life insurance may cost you less than you think because you may decide that you do not need a high level of cover.

Myth 3: My superannuation fund’s life insurance is enough

Consider: The life insurance provided within many superannuation funds may not adequately cover your life insurance needs.

Often, a default level of cover is provided. If your super fund provides life insurance cover, you should take the time to consider whether the sum insured is adequate keeping in mind your levels of debt and how much you want to provide for loved ones should you pass away.  

Myth 4: Life insurance is expensive

Fact: The cost of life insurance might surprise you – it may be less expensive than you think.

Policies vary, and premiums will depend on your age, health and lifestyle. A non-smoker in their 30s can expect to pay less than $1 a day for cover, depending on the level of cover they want. It can be money well spent – life insurance could help to safeguard your family if you were to pass away.

Myth 5: Fully underwritten and partially underwritten covers are the same

Fully underwritten means greater certainty.

One of the key points of confusion can centre around the difference between “underwritten” cover, which is more fully assessed upfront, versus products that are not fully underwritten or “partially underwritten”, where often a more detailed assessment is made at the time of claim when your family may be going through a difficult time. With fully underwritten cover, the insurer asks a number of health, occupation and lifestyle questions upfront and sometimes requires medical tests and details of your medical records.

This process does take longer than cover that is not fully underwritten, but results in far greater certainty about the risks the insurer is taking to provide cover, and importantly greater certainty for you at claim time.

Myth 6: Only breadwinners need life insurance

Fact: While it is important for the family’s main breadwinner to seriously consider taking out life insurance, many families make the mistake of not thinking about their primary caregiver taking out cover. Stay at home parents provide an important role that, while unpaid, may need to be replaced ‘in kind’.

The cost of childcare, cleaning, housekeeping and home maintenance duties can be considerable. Bear in mind too, that the family’s main earner may have to reduce their hours of work in order to help care for the children.

Myth 7: I won’t need life insurance until I am older

Consider this: Many people make the mistake of delaying taking out cover until they are older. But life insurance premiums are calculated based on a number of factors including your age and health, which is assessed before your cover commences, so it makes good sense to think about applying while you are young and healthy. Did you know that many claims are made by people aged in their 40s?

Myth 8: My health disqualifies me from life insurance

Fact: A medical diagnosis does not automatically mean you will no longer be eligible to obtain life insurance.

You need to disclose your health conditions during the application process, but this doesn’t necessarily mean that cover will not be provided. In some instances, cover will be provided with an exclusion relating to your specific condition.

Premiums may be higher to reflect your increased risk levels, but if you are taking positive steps to manage your condition, you can keep any additional premium cost to a minimum. Bear in mind that there are some medical conditions where NobleOak won’t be able to offer Life Cover, but these are limited.

Myth 9: I can file away my life insurance policy and forget about it

Fact: It is important that you keep your life insurance policy up to date and consider whether you should adjust your cover levels with significant life events.

Also, with NobleOak’s life insurance, with certain major life events – marriage, birth of a new baby, increasing your mortgage or adopting a child – you can apply to increase your Life Cover without any further medical underwriting (subject to limitations). This facility can help act as a buffer against being underinsured as your life circumstances change.