Australian Seniors Funeral Plan

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What makes Funeral Insurance so important?
2. I'm healthy, why would I need this insurance?
3. How much cover can I get?
4. Are there any optional benefits I can add to my Australian Seniors Funeral Plan?
5. Am I eligible for Australian Seniors Funeral Plan?
6. Is it necessary to have a medical or blood test?
7. Are there any exclusions?
8. What is meant by "accident" or "accidental death"?
9. Does cover extend around the world?
10. Can I cover my partner and children too?
11. Isn't cover like this expensive?
12. What is the difference between the age-based and fixed premium options?
13. Are there any tax benefits?
14. How long can I keep my cover?
15. Will I get anything back if I cancel my Australian Seniors Funeral Plan?
16. Can I decide who will receive the benefit?
17. Do you accept payment by credit card?
18. Who is the insurer?
19. How can I get cover?

1. What makes Funeral Insurance so important?

No-one would want to leave their family in a financial mess would they? That's why Australian Seniors Funeral Plan provides insurance that has been designed to help you protect your family from the financial burden of your funeral and other unforseen costs, if you were to unexpectedly pass away.Return to Top

2. I'm healthy, why would I need this insurance?

No-one knows what lies around the corner, whether it's accident or illness - and securing cover early ensures the protection is there when needed.Return to Top

3. How much cover can I get?

You can select a cover option that suits your needs and budget, from $3,000 through to $15,000 insurance benefit.

If death is the result of an accident, then three times the insurance benefit will be paid. This means if you have a $10,000 life insurance benefit, and you die as the result of an accident, the benefit payable to your loved ones would be $30,000.Return to Top

4. Are there any optional benefits I can add to my Australian Seniors Funeral Plan?

Yes. You can add Accidental Serious Injury Insurance to your Australian Seniors Funeral Plan, which provides a benefit in the event of Quadriplegia, Paraplegia, Hemiplegia, Blindness, Deafness or Total and Permanent Loss of Use of two limbs.Return to Top

5. Am I eligible for Australian Seniors Funeral Plan?

If you are an Australian resident aged 18 to 79 you're eligible to apply and we guarantee to accept you for this insurance.Return to Top

6. Is it necessary to have a medical or blood test?

No, and there are no intrusive questions about your health and lifestyle.Return to Top

7. Are there any exclusions?

For Funeral Insurance after the first year of cover there are no exclusions on the cover provided. During the first year of the Australian Seniors Funeral Plan, a benefit will only be paid if death is due to an accident, thereafter the benefit is payable on death from any cause, including sickness and accident.Return to Top

8. What is meant by "accident" or "accidental death"?

Accident means an event resulting in bodily injury where the injury is directly and solely caused by violent, external and visible means without any other contributing causes and where the injury is not self inflicted. Accidental Death means death occurring as a direct result of an Accident and where death occurs within 90 days of the Accident.Return to Top

9. Does cover extend around the world?

Absolutely. Once your Australian Seniors Funeral Plan is in force, you are covered around the clock, anywhere in the world.Return to Top

10. Can I cover my partner and children too?

Yes. The Australian Seniors Funeral Plan has been designed to be family friendly. You can choose to cover your life (Single Plan), or cover yourself and your partner and all children under 21 who are dependent on you (Family Plan). There is no limit on the number of dependents that can be covered under the Family Plan.Return to Top

11. Isn't cover like this expensive?

Just get a quote to see how affordable it can be for you. Cover starts at $2.85 per week (age-based premium for Single Plan providing $5,000 benefit [or $15,000 Accidental Death benefit] for a person aged 50).Return to Top

12. What is the difference between the age-based and fixed premium options?

We understand that everyone's needs are different, that's why we allow you to choose the premium structure that suits you and your budget. There are two options to choose from:

Age-based premium option

Our age-based premium option can provide cost-effective cover with an automatic inflation protection. Your premium starts lower and is calculated when you take out your policy and increases at each policy anniversary. Like everything else funeral costs are also affected by inflation. With age-based premiums your cover is automatically increased by 5% each year.

Fixed premium option

Our fixed premium option can give you that little bit of extra help managing your budget, along with the peace of mind of knowing your premium won't change just because you get older. Your premium is calculated at the time of application, and although it starts higher than the age-based premium option, it remains the same even as you get older. If you are aged 50 - 79 you can select the fixed premium option.Return to Top

13. Are there any tax benefits?

In most cases your premium will not be tax deductible and tax will not be payable on any benefit paid under your policy.

This information is based on continuance of present tax laws and the insurer's interpretation of those laws. Your individual situation may differ and you should seek qualified professional advice in relation to your particular circumstances.Return to Top

14. How long can I keep my cover?

As long as you pay your premiums, the cover is guaranteed renewable for the rest of your life and you'll be covered anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day - even if your health and circumstances change.Return to Top

15. Will I get anything back if I cancel my Australian Seniors Funeral Plan?

If you cancel your Australian Seniors Funeral Plan within the first 30 days of commencement - for any reason whatsoever - you'll receive a full refund of premiums that have been paid. If you cancel your Policy after 30 days, you will not get anything back as this Policy is not a savings plan.Return to Top

16. Can I decide who will receive the benefit?

We make all payments for claims in the first instance to the policyowner. For a Joint Plan, this means that payments are made to the surviving Life Insured. If there is no surviving policyowner, benefits will be paid to the Nominated Beneficiaries. Where there are no Nominated Beneficiaries, We will pay the benefit to the policyowner's estate.

You can nominate a person as a beneficiary to receive the benefit on death by simply downloading a Beneficiary Form, complete and mail it to Customer Service, PO Box 6728, Baulkham Hills NSW 2153.

Claims will be assessed as soon as the completed claim documents are received with any additional information required. Accepted claims will be paid without any unnecessary delay.Return to Top

17. Do you accept payment by credit card?

Yes. You can pay your fortnightly or monthly premiums on the date of your choice - and you can pay either by automatic debit from your bank, credit union or building society account or by charge to your Visa or Mastercard.Return to Top

18. Who is the insurer?

Hannover Life Re of Australasia Ltd ABN 37 062 395 484 is the issuer of Australian Seniors Funeral Plan.

Hannover Life Re of Australasia's portfolio of life insurance business has been in force for over 40 years and consists of approximately $500 million dollars of annual premium. The company is part of the Hannover Re Group which is one of the world's leading reinsurers. Its worldwide network consists of more than 100 subsidiaries, branch and representative offices in around 20 countries. Standard & Poor's have awarded Hannover Re a very strong insurer financial strength rating.Return to Top

19. How can I get cover?

Call 1800 004 005 and we can give you more information about Australian Seniors Funeral Plan, answer any questions you may have, provide a quote and take your application over the phone - it's as easy as that and you can be covered without delay.Return to Top