Life Insurance Background

Life Insurance Comparison

Our life insurance comparison tool lets you easily compare a wide range of policies based on the level of cover available and our expert ratings.

Group Manager, Research & Ratings
Editor-in-Chief
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Unsure of a term in the above table? View glossary

The initial results in the table above are sorted by Star Rating (High-Low) , then Provider Name (Alphabetical) . Additional filters may have been applied, see top of table for details.

Canstar is Australia’s biggest financial comparison site*,
comparing more brands than any other.

 

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No cost to you

Using our comparison tool to find a better deal is free. We may receive a commission from our online partners if you apply for a life insurance policy you find on our site.

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Expert research

Our team of life insurance research experts crunch the numbers to rate life insurance based on value (price as well as features) to help you compare. Read the life insurance methodology.

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A wide range of insurers

We rate and review life insurance policies from more than 20 brands which means you can compare and choose products from both large and challenger brands, established and new.

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Easy to compare & apply

Our life insurance comparison tool allows you to filter your search results so it’s easy to find the right product for you. What’s more, you can click straight through to many of our online insurers, making it easy to apply instantly.

 

Life insurance guides and resources

Canstar’s life insurance articles and resources offer a guiding hand to help you understand your options and how to get suitable cover for you and your family.

Award-winning life insurance providers

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Canstar’s Direct Life Insurance Star Ratings and Awards compare cost and features across the products and providers on our database.
Award-winning life insurance providers have been found to offer Outstanding Value across a broad range of consumer profiles.

View the direct life report

CANSTAR Outstanding Value Direct Life Insurance

What is life insurance?

Life insurance is a type of insurance policy designed to provide a lump sum payment to your beneficiaries when you die or are diagnosed with a terminal illness expected to result in death within 12 months. It’s designed to help loved ones cope financially when someone passes away. Depending on the insurer and policy you choose, this payment could be used to help your family pay off their debts and other living expenses, such as a home loan, other loan repayments and bills like school fees.

What are the different types of life insurance in Australia?

In Australia, there are three main types of term life insurance (also known as death cover):

  • Direct life insurance is life insurance that you purchase directly from an insurer, such as via its website or over the phone. It is the type of life insurance that Canstar compares in its Star Ratings and Award research.
  • Advised life insurance is life insurance that you can only purchase through an intermediary, such as a specialised financial adviser.
  • Life insurance within super is life insurance that you pay for as part of the fees your superannuation fund charges you. Many super funds will offer this cover by default to eligible members. This type of life insurance can often be convenient and relatively inexpensive, although it can also have some downsides such as the fact it can reduce your retirement balance. Canstar has written in more detail about some of the pros and cons of life insurance within super.

Bear in mind that in addition to or as part of their life insurance policies, many life insurers also offer:

  • Income protection insurance, which involves the insurer paying you a percentage of your pre-tax income if you become unable to work for a period of time due to illness or injury. Like life insurance, income protection can be purchased either directly, through an adviser or within super. Canstar compares direct income protection insurance on its website.
  • Total and permanent disability (TPD) insurance, which pays you a lump sum of money if you become disabled and unable to ever work again, either in your current job or in any occupation, depending on the insurer.
  • Trauma insurance (also known as critical illness insurance or recovery insurance), which pays you a lump sum if you suffer a significant injury or illness such as cancer, a stroke or a head injury.

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How to compare life insurance

When weighing up if you need life insurance, you could consider the following questions:

  • If you died, would your family be able to maintain its current standard of living?
  • As well as their current standard of living, would your family be able to afford future goals you may have set?
  • If you were permanently disabled, how would your family pay the bills? If you don’t have a family, who would look after you and would you be able to afford the care?
  • How long could you continue to pay your bills without your income?
  • If you suffered a significant injury, could you afford home modifications? How would you pay for the cost of any long-term rehabilitation you may need?
  • Can you afford the ongoing premiums you have to pay for the policy?

Canstar’s Direct Life Insurance Star Ratings and Award research uses a sophisticated and unique ratings methodology that compares both cost and features across products on our database. Canstar’s Star Ratings represent a shortlist of products, enabling consumers to narrow their search to products that have been assessed and ranked.

If you’re ready to consider your needs, compare with Canstar.

Compare Life Insurance

Compare life insurance premiums

A life insurance premium is a regular amount of money you pay to your insurer in order to maintain your cover. Premiums can differ significantly between different insurers and depending on your personal circumstances. For example, Canstar analysis has shown that factors such as your gender, age, occupation and smoking status can all play a significant role in determining how much an insurer will charge you for a direct life insurance policy.

Depending on how old you are, life insurance could be something you have for many years or even decades, so while premiums are not the only important factor to consider, it could be important to look for a policy that offers you the amount of cover you need in exchange for premiums you can afford.

Some insurers may give you the option of paying either stepped or level life insurance premiums. Stepped premiums typically increase each year as you age, whereas level premiums stay the same over time but may be more expensive initially.

Compare life insurance features

It might be tempting to simply shop around for the cheapest life insurance premiums, but for a product like life insurance it’s important to also factor in other considerations, such as whether the amount of cover under a policy would be sufficient for your family’s needs should you pass away, and whether the policy has any important inclusions, exclusions or limitations you should be aware of.

You can learn more about some of the features you may want to consider by reading our Direct Life Insurance Star Ratings and Awards report. A summary of the features Canstar researched and rated in calculating outstanding value life insurance policies and providers is included in the methodology attached to the report. You could also try our Life Insurance Needs Calculator if you want to get started on working out how much cover you may require.

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Looking for cheap life insurance?

If you’re shopping around for cover, you might be tempted to go with a cheap life insurance policy to keep your costs down. It’s worth bearing in mind that the policy’s level of cover can also have a big impact on the value you get overall. For example, a cheap life insurance policy might offer a lower payout amount in the event of a claim or could exclude claims based on certain risks that may be relevant to your profession or hobbies. If you’re considering a cheap life insurance policy, it’s also worth bearing in mind that aspects of your lifestyle, such as whether you smoke, can have an impact on what you pay. It may be worth reviewing policies according to those that offer a level of cover suitable for your and your family’s needs and also offers value for money.

Life insurance in 2024

As a product designed to offer customers peace of mind that their loved ones will be provided for in the event of death or terminal illness, life insurance may be of particular interest in times of heightened stress, such as the current coronavirus pandemic. And life insurance providers have adapted accordingly – for example, several of Australia’s largest life insurance issuers are participating in the ‘We have you covered’ initiative, reassuring people that receiving a vaccine against COVID-19 will not affect a policyholder’s life insurance cover

But it could be worth thinking about the bigger picture before jumping in and signing up for a particular life insurance policy on the basis of a special deal or offer. More specifically, you may want to ask yourself whether the life insurance policy you are considering offers good value overall in terms of the premiums you pay, the situations you are covered for and the benefits you or your loved ones would receive, should you need to make a claim.

About our finance experts


Josh Sale, Life Insurance Ratings Manager

Joshua Sale, Ratings Manager

As Canstar’s Ratings Manager, Josh Sale is responsible for the methodology and delivery of Canstar’s Life Insurance Star Ratings and Awards. With tertiary qualifications in economics and finance, Josh has worked behind the scenes for the last five years to develop Star Ratings and Awards that help connect consumers with the right life insurance policy for them.

Josh is passionate about helping consumers understand that their insurance needs don’t necessarily stop with getting cover for their car and home. He says life insurance can play a crucial role in providing financial security, particularly for those with a family to support. With life insurance available to most Australians inside and outside of super, Josh believes it’s important to understand what type of cover is going to offer adequate protection and says the birth of his child was the catalyst for reviewing his own life insurance.

As one of Canstar’s spokespeople, Josh has been interviewed on a wide range of personal finance topics by media outlets such as the Australian Financial Review, news.com.au and Money Magazine.

You can follow Josh on LinkedIn, and Canstar on Twitter and Facebook.

Nina Rinella, Editor-in-Chief 

As Canstar’s Editor-in-Chief, Nina heads up a team of talented journalists committed to helping empower consumers to take greater control of their finances. Previously Nina founded her own agency where she provided content and communications support to clients around Australia for eight years. She also spent four years as the PR Manager for American Express Australia, and has worked at a Brisbane communications agency where she supported dozens of clients, including Sunsuper and Suncorp.

Nina has ghostwritten dozens of opinion pieces for publications including The Australian and has been interviewed on finance topics by the Herald Sun and the Sydney Morning Herald. When she’s not dreaming up ways to put a fresh spin on finance, she’s taking her own advice by trying to pay her house off as quickly as possible and raising two money-savvy kids.

Nina has a Bachelor of Journalism and a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in English Literature from the University of Queensland. She’s also an experienced presenter, and has hosted numerous events and YouTube series.

You can follow her on Instagram or Twitter, or Canstar on Facebook.


This content was reviewed by our Deputy Editor Sean Callery and Sub Editor Tom Letts before it was published as part of our fact-checking process. You can also read more about Canstar’s editorial team.

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Life Insurance Quotes

Consumers interested in finding out more about this type of cover can use Canstar to compare policies and narrow their search before seeking quotes from the providers. As premiums for policies will vary depending on your personal circumstances and the extent of cover you are after, the most effective way to get an accurate quote is often directly through the provider, either through an online quote form or by contacting them.

The premium quote you receive will be dependent on a number of factors that can include your age, gender, medical history, occupation and whether or not you smoke. Typically, a quote for a policy for a male will be higher than for a female, and smokers pay more than non-smokers.

There are a number of options available in Australia, and you may choose to bundle a number of products together, such as total and permanent disability (TPD), trauma or life insurance. If you’re considering taking out more than one product, it could be a good idea to ask the provider for a quote for a bundle to see if there are potential savings on offer.

There are a variety of products available from a wide range of providers, and so it can help save time to have an understanding of what type of cover you require before you seek quotes. This could include the type of product or products you would like, as well as the financial amount you would like to be covered for. If you are unsure about what cover you may require, it could be a good idea to seek financial advice from a professional before requesting a quote from providers.

The total cost of the premium is not the only factor to take into consideration when comparing policies and quotes, as products can vary greatly in terms of the coverage and service offered. Aside from the quote, you may also want to take into consideration any exclusions, the events that are covered, the total amount that would be paid out in the event of a claim, features and benefits (such as counselling or financial advice services) and waiting periods.

Canstar considers the cost as well as features when determining the results of its Star Ratings. The results are presented in a 5-Star format, with products receiving a 5-Star Rating representing outstanding value. This can help consumers narrow their search to products that have been assessed and rated before they seek quotes from providers.

Who offers Direct Life Insurance in Australia?

Below are some providers we rate or view more here:

 

View More Providers

Who offers Advised Life Insurance in Australia?

Below are some providers, you can view more here:

View More Providers

How can I decide if I need life insurance in 2024?

You may want to seek professional financial advice to help you decide whether to purchase a policy. For example, many of us have life insurance through superannuation, so you may want to work out whether this is sufficient for your needs.

If you are considering buying a policy, ask yourself questions such as: If you died, would your family be able to maintain its current standard of living and achieve the future goals you had set? If you were permanently disabled, how would your family pay the bills? If you don’t have a family, who would look after you and would you be able to afford the care? How long could you continue to pay your bills without income? If you suffered a significant injury, could you afford home modifications? How would you pay for the cost of any long-term rehabilitation?

Based on your responses, you may benefit from having a level of cover in place. You can estimate how much cover you may need using Canstar’s Life Insurance Needs Calculator.

Can I change life insurance policies?

Yes, in Australia you can switch policies and even hold multiple policies. It may be a good idea to review your cover regularly, especially if your income or personal circumstances change.

For example, if you get married, have a baby, take out a home loan or start a business, you may decide you need more or different cover. You may decide to reduce your cover if your expenses and debt decrease. If your current policy no longer provides good value, you may consider comparing policies and viewing the most recent winners of Canstar’s direct life insurance and direct income protection Star Ratings and Awards.

Before switching, consider any important cover or benefits included with your existing policy that you might lose, as well as any waiting periods or exclusions that would apply to the new policy.

How much life insurance cover do I need?

How much cover you need, if any, depends on your personal situation. Canstar’s Life Insurance Needs Calculator provides an estimate of how much cover you and your family may require if you die, suffer a trauma, or become totally and permanently disabled (TPD) or unable to work. However, you may like to seek financial advice from a qualified advisor before making a decision. If you decide you do need cover, you can compare life insurance and income protection policies based on your requirements, and view Canstar’s most recent Direct Life Insurance Star Ratings and Awards and Direct Income Protection Star Ratings and Award.

What is advised life insurance?

Advised life insurance is cover that can only be obtained through a specialised financial adviser who may support you in finding and applying for a policy for your specific requirements. Advisers will usually ask questions about topics such as your budget and personal, living and family situation. They may also help you shop around among a range of providers. Bear in mind that some financial advisers receive a commission for selling certain products, or in some cases are employed by the insurer or work in a different part of the same overall company. One alternative to this is speaking to an independent financial adviser who is not allowed to receive commissions for recommending products to clients.

What are the pros and cons of direct life insurance?

Some of the potential pros of direct life insurance include the ability to choose cover that specifically meets your needs, having the option to pay in stepped (increase over time) or level (remain the same over time) premiums and cover generally continuing as long as you pay the premiums. This is unlike life insurance through super, which usually ends at age 70, according to Moneysmart. There are also possible cons of this type of cover, which include that premiums could be more expensive than what you might pay for cover through super; you may need to undergo a medical or health check to get the cover; and some pre-existing conditions may not be covered, depending on the policy.

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Important information

For those that love the detail

This advice is general and has not taken into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider whether this advice is right for you.

Canstar may earn a fee from its Online Partners for referrals from its website tables, and from sponsorship or promotion of certain products. Fees payable by product providers for referrals and sponsorship or promotion may vary between providers, website position, and revenue model. Sponsorship/promotion fees may be higher than referral fees. If a product is sponsored or promoted, it’s an ad and it is clearly marked as such. An ad might appear in different places on our website, such as in comparison tables and articles. Ads may be displayed in a fixed position in a table, regardless of the product's rating, price or other attributes. The location of an ad doesn’t indicate any ranking or rating by Canstar. Payment of fees for ads does not influence our Star Ratings. See How We Get Paid to find out more.

The Life Insurance Star Ratings were awarded in June 2023 and data in the table is current as at that date, updated from time to time to reflect product changes notified to us by product issuers. The results don’t include every provider in the market and we may not compare all features relevant to you. You can find a description of the initial sort order below the table. You can use the sort buttons at the top of each column to re-order the display. Learn more about our Life Insurance Star Rating Methodology. The rating shown is only one factor to take into account when considering products.

The products and Star Ratings in the table might not match your exact inputs in the selector. Sometimes the methodology uses profiles with categories or bands (e.g. income, loan amount or monthly spend), but sometimes a single methodology, without any categories or bands, is applied. The results will show the products that most closely match your selection, based on our profiles. If you are unsure about any terms used in the comparison table please refer to the glossary.

What is a Target Market Determination?

A Target Market Determination (‘TMD’) is a document that explains which people particular financial products may be suitable for (the target market) and sets out any conditions around how financial products can be distributed to consumers.

Why do product issuers provide Target Market Determinations?

From 5 October 2021, TMDs are compulsory for most financial products.

Issuers and distributors of financial products must take reasonable steps that are likely to result in financial products reaching consumers in the target market defined by the product issuer.

We recommend that you consider the TMD before making a purchase decision. Contact the product issuer directly for a copy of the TMD.

Any advice on this page is general and has not taken into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider whether this general financial advice is right for your personal circumstances. You may need financial advice from a qualified adviser. Canstar is not providing a recommendation for your individual circumstances. If you decide to apply for an insurance policy, you will deal directly with the provider, not with Canstar.   It’s important you check product information directly with the provider. Consider the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD) before making a purchase decision. Contact the product issuer directly for a copy of the PDS and TMD. For more information, read our Detailed Disclosure.

If you are seeking to replace an insurance policy, you should consider your personal circumstances, including continuing the existing cover until the replacement policy is issued and cover confirmed. Your current policy may have different features to products currently on the market. Please consider what features are right for you when comparing insurance products and refer to the provider for further details on a policy.

Companies listed in the table, or in ads, may use or be used by another company to arrange, issue, distribute or sell its insurance policies to customers. For more information on the issuer of the policy, please read the Product Disclosure Statement.

By clicking on the number next to the phone icon, you will leave the Canstar website and be connected with the call centre of the Online Partner’s brand that you have selected. You will be subject to that referral partner's brand privacy policy and terms of use. You agree that Canstar Referral Terms apply to this referral.