Husband loses insurance dispute over wife's death

The information on this website is general in nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Consider seeking personal advice from a licensed adviser before acting on any information.

Legislation that started in March 2019 would have ceased the woman's default cover, unless she responded to a notice saying she wanted it to continue. The trustee said it complied with legislation by emailing the notice, but the complainant said she never received it.

The life insurance policy ceased on July 1 2019. On March 5 2020, the member asked for a replacement of the policy and was covered again. The member died on February 12 2021, and the complainant made a claim for the death benefit.

But AIA declined to pay, after determining that she had died from a preexisting medical condition. The complainant argued that he should be paid the death benefit but the trustee rejected the claim.

The complainant stated that it was never their intention to cancel the death benefit and in fact were relying on the benefit payout as part of her final estate for the family.

He went on to say that the trustee had failed to appropriately notify them that the death benefit would be cancelled.

He said that they had not been initially made aware that the death benefit had ceased. "When we did become aware, via online account, that the death benefit had ceased, we contacted [the trustee] to have it reinstated immediately.” he said.

He said the trustee also did not mention that the new cover excludes pre-existing conditions.

However, the Australian Financial Complaints Authority said it was satisfied and that new cover was explained in the Product Disclosure Statement. The decision to decline the claim is fair and reasonable, it added.

Published:Tuesday, 17th May 2022
Source: Paige Estritori

Please Note: If this information affects you, seek advice from a licensed professional.

Share this news item:

Insurance News

Clear

AFCA Observes Significant Increase in General Insurance Complaints

01 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori

The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) has reported a 17% increase in general insurance complaints for the year ending June 30, 2025, totalling 34,231 cases. This uptick is primarily attributed to issues surrounding add-on covers and delays in motor vehicle insurance claims. - read more

APRA's Findings: Stability in PI Claims and Decreasing Premiums

01 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori

The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has released its latest National Claims and Policies Database, providing valuable insights into the professional indemnity (PI) insurance sector for the 2022 underwriting year. The data indicates that PI claims payments for non-facility business remained relatively stable at $1.111 billion, a slight increase from $1.109 billion in the previous year. - read more

Upcover's New Insurance Solutions for Australian Nurses

01 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori

Sydney-based insurtech company Upcover has unveiled a new professional indemnity and public liability insurance product tailored specifically for nurses across Australia. This initiative aims to provide comprehensive coverage that meets the unique needs of nursing professionals, including nurse practitioners, in-patient nurses, doulas, and nursing students. - read more

Rising Strata Insurance Costs in the Northern Territory

01 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori

Homeowners in the Northern Territory are experiencing significant increases in strata insurance premiums, despite the federal government's cyclone reinsurance pool, established in 2022 to mitigate such costs. This development raises concerns about the effectiveness of the pool and the broader implications for property owners in cyclone-prone regions. - read more

Insurance Capacity Constraints Impacting High-End Strata Properties

01 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori

High-end strata properties in Australia are facing significant challenges in securing adequate insurance coverage, as the market grapples with capacity constraints. This issue is particularly pronounced for buildings with property values exceeding $300 million, where limited insurer participation is leading to coverage shortfalls and increased premiums. - read more

Strata Industry Advances Towards Phasing Out Insurance Commissions

01 Feb 2026: Paige Estritori

The strata management sector in Australia is witnessing a significant shift towards eliminating insurance commissions, a move aimed at enhancing transparency and building trust between strata managers and property owners. This reform is gaining traction, with New South Wales leading the initiative. - read more

Australian Insurance Market Anticipates Slower Premium Growth in 2025

31 Jan 2026: Paige Estritori

In recent years, Australia's insurance sector has experienced substantial premium hikes, largely attributed to inflationary pressures and the financial repercussions of natural disasters. However, industry analysts now predict a slowdown in premium growth for 2025, indicating a potential shift in the market dynamics. - read more

Australian Insurance Industry Faces Challenges in Cybersecurity Readiness

31 Jan 2026: Paige Estritori

The Australian insurance sector is currently grappling with significant challenges in cybersecurity preparedness, as highlighted by the latest PwC Insurance Banana Skins Survey. This comprehensive study, which gathered insights from 698 insurance executives across 42 territories, including 37 from Australia, underscores a concerning lag in the industry's readiness to tackle emerging digital threats. - read more

Australian Insurance Leaders and Regulators Convene to Streamline Regulations

31 Jan 2026: Paige Estritori

In a concerted effort to enhance regulatory efficiency within the general insurance sector, the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) recently hosted a pivotal roundtable in Sydney. This gathering brought together senior executives from the insurance industry alongside representatives from the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). - read more

IAG CEO Predicts Ongoing Insurance Premium Rises

31 Jan 2026: Paige Estritori

Insurance Australia Group (IAG) has reported a significant 91% increase in net profit for the first half of the 2024-2025 financial year, reaching $778 million. Despite this profit surge, IAG's CEO, Nick Hawkins, has indicated that insurance premiums are expected to continue rising, though at a more moderate pace compared to previous years. ([abc.net.au](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-14/iag-ceo-nick-hawkins-warns-of-further-premium-increases/104931074?utm_source=openai)) - read more

Click for more Insurance News

Insuring your most valuable asset

While many people would consider their home or their car to be their most valuable asset, it's your ability to earn an income that is most important in shaping your financial future. Statistically, two thirds of working Australians will suffer an injury or illness that will sideline them for 90 days or more. The majority of these people would not be able to pay their mortgage or meet car finance and other loan commitments without adequate income insurance.

... compare rates & options ...