Asteron Lifeguard Enhancements Life Cover

Transcription

1 Enhancements Life Cover

2 Contents 1.0 Summary of changes Improved Included Benefits Improved Special Events Increase Benefit New Trigger Events Improved Funeral Advancement Benefit Increase in Maximum Payment Limit Improved Removal of $2,000,000 cap for Terminal Illness New Waiver of Premium due to Serious Disablement Improved Guarantee on Life Cover Level Premium Improved Optional Benefits Improved Definition Own Occupation TPD (choice of occupation) Improved Sum Insured Single Loss of Limb or Eye Benefit New Business Security Option Improved Sum Insured Needlestick Option New TPD No Buyback Option Improved Definitions Cancer Cover Option Improved Definition Cancer Cover Option (Prostatic Cancer) New Partial Cancer Cover Benefit (Carcinoma in-situ of the Corpus Uteri) Improved Partial Cancer Cover Benefit (Early Stage Melanoma) Improved Definition Cancer Cover Option (Cancer) Improved Definition Waiting Period for Cancer Cover Option New Healthy Plus Option New Own Occupation Definition for Part Time Professionals New TPD Waiting Period Eligibility Improved Definition TPD Waiting Period Contact us Inside back cover

3 Enhancements Life Cover 1 At Life, we regularly review our policies to ensure that they are at the forefront of industry developments and will continue to meet the financial challenges which may occur as a result of sickness or injury. Providing regular updates is an integral part of our service philosophy at Life. As a result, we have automatically upgraded your policy to reflect some of the innovations we have made to our Life Cover product. This ensures that your policy remains at the leading edge of insurance and gives you and your family even better value protection at no extra cost. In this brochure you will find a summary of both the automatic enhancements we have made to your policy plus a series of new optional enhancements that you can apply to have added to your existing Life policy. These improvements offer you an increased number of benefits, improved definitions on benefits and the opportunity to add additional features to your policy. Automatic Enhancements We will enhance your policy without any further cost to you. You will not need to undergo any further medical assessments to benefit from these automatic enhancements, so you can start enjoying your new improved cover today. In the event of a claim, you will be assessed against the most recent, upgraded version of the policy. If, in your opinion, the improvements are less favourable, we will assess you against your previous policy terms. We will work with you and your adviser to ensure that the cover you have is most appropriate to your needs. Optional Benefits Some optional benefits have also been improved. Any optional benefits that you already have will also be upgraded from the effective date of upgrade. We understand that, over time, your needs may change so we have also created some new optional benefits that you may be eligible to have added to your policy. Adding some or all of these options to your policy may result in an increased premium and may also require additional underwriting. We can work with you and your adviser to explain these. Changes to Policy Terms Included within this brochure are a summary of changes to the policy terms. If you have any questions or need any further information on these please contact your adviser or our Life Customer Service on where one of our team will be delighted to help you.

4 2 Enhancements Life Cover 1.0 Summary of changes This brochure includes a summary of all the upgraded benefits for Life Cover and additional Total Permanent Disablement (TPD) cover. Depending on the PDS issue number you applied with, some or all of these upgraded terms will already be included in your policy. Included benefits are automatically provided as at the effective date listed below. Where an upgrade: has been applied to your policy the field below will include 3. was already included in your policy terms the field below will note INC (included). issue 1 issue 2 issue 3 issue 4 issue 5 Enhancements Included Benefits Effective Date of upgrade 17 April April August May 2010) 15 November 2010) Improved Special Events Increase Benefit New Trigger Events Improved Funeral Advancement Benefit Increase in Maximum Payment Limit Improved Removal of $2,000,000 cap for Terminal Illness New Waiver of Premium due to Serious Disablement Improved Guarantee on Life Cover level premium rates until 1 January April INC INC INC INC 15 April INC INC INC INC 10 November INC INC INC

5 Enhancements Life Cover 3 issue 1 issue 2 issue 3 issue 4 issue 5 Enhancements Optional Benefits Effective Date of upgrade 17 April April August May 2010) 15 November 2010) Improved Definition Own Occupation TPD (choice of occupation) Improved Single Loss of Limb or Eye Benefit Improved Needlestick Option New Business Security Option Improved Definition Cancer Cover Option (Prostatic Cancer) New TPD No Buyback Option New Own Occupation TPD definition for part-time professionals Improved Definition Partial Cancer Cover Benefit (Early Stage Melanoma) Improved Waiting Period for Cancer Cover Option 15 April INC INC INC INC 24 May INC INC 24 May INC INC 24 May INC INC New Healthy Plus Option 24 May INC INC New TPD Waiting Period Eligibility Improved TPD Waiting Period Improved Definition Cancer Cover Option (Cancer) New Definition Partial Cancer Cover Benefit (Carcinoma in-situ of the Corpus Uteri) 15 November INC 15 November INC 15 November INC 15 November INC

6 4 Enhancements Life Cover 2.0 Improved Included Benefits Below is a summary of changes to included benefits each with a simple description of how it affects you. Some of the terms and expressions used in the policy wording quick reference below have specific meaning and the meaning of these words and expressions can be found in the glossary of our current Product Disclosure Statement (PDS). A copy of our latest PDS is available on our website, or by contacting Life Customer Service on In the event of a claim, you will be assessed against the most recent, upgraded version of the policy. If, in your opinion, the improvements are less favourable, we will assess you against your previous policy terms. We will work with you and your adviser to ensure that the cover you have is most appropriate to your needs. Please note that if you are suffering a pre-existing condition before the effective date that the upgrade is applied to your policy, it will not apply when assessing any claim affected by that pre-existing condition. The effective date for each upgrade is denoted in the summary of changes. 2.1 Improved Special Events Increase Benefit New Trigger Events Your policy already allows you to increase your cover without any further medical assessment when there are certain changes in your personal circumstances, such as marriage, the birth of a child or an increase in your salary. The range of such events where you can increase your cover without any further medical assessment has now been extended to include: commencement of a domestic relationship with a spouse, which continues for 12 months and began within the previous 18 months; or an increase in your value to a business, where you are a key person to that business, and the business owns the policy. 2.2 Improved Funeral Advancement Benefit Increase in Maximum Payment Limit The Funeral Advancement Benefit provides for early payment of part of your sum insured to help cover the immediate costs incurred after death. This benefit has been enhanced for policy owners who maintain their policy with us for 5 years or more. The Funeral Advancement Benefit will be increased from $15,000 to $20,000. This advance payment can be made upon receipt of a signed doctor s notification, without the inconvenience of having to provide a death certificate. Whilst covered under this policy, we will provide payment for funeral expenses and other immediate costs: in the event of your accidental death during the first 3 years after the commencement date (or the date this policy was most recently reinstated); and thereafter on your death from all causes. The amount we will pay depends on the length of time this policy has been in force. If you die, we will pay up to: $10,000 (in total) during the first 2 years following the commencement date; $12,500 (in total) during the 3rd or 4th year following the commencement date; or $20,000 (in total) during the 5th or a later year following the commencement date. The benefit will be paid to the Policy Owner or, if you are the Policy Owner, to the person who in our opinion is entitled to be appointed as your legal personal representative, on our receipt of a completed claim form and the original or a certified copy of the death certificate, or medical certificate confirming cause of death, or other evidence satisfactory to us. The sum insured for Life Cover will be reduced by the amount paid under the Funeral Advancement Benefit. Payment of the Funeral Advancement Benefit is intended to allow prompt payment to assist in meeting funeral expenses and other immediate costs with limited evidentiary requirements. Payment of this benefit does not mean that any other benefit under this policy will be admitted. The Funeral Advancement Benefit can be claimed at any time before we pay the Life Cover sum insured.

7 Enhancements Life Cover Improved Removal of $2,000,000 cap for Terminal Illness The onset of a terminal illness requires as much cover as possible to be paid as soon as possible to relieve stress and allow proper planning in such a difficult situation. We have removed the payout cap of $2,000,000 on terminal illness and will now pay your full Life Cover Benefit if you become terminally ill. 2.4 New Waiver of Premium due to Serious Disablement An additional benefit is now available under your policy to assist with the costs of your insurance policies with the Suncorp Group. If you suffer a condition that prevents you from performing at least 2 of the numbered activities of daily living and you satisfy the conditions below, we will waive 2 years worth of Life Cover premiums up to a maximum of $2,000. If you are aged 65 or under and you suffer a sickness or injury that results in you being constantly and permanently unable to perform at least 2 of the numbered activities of daily living without the physical assistance of someone else, you can choose for us to either waive the requirement for you to pay the premiums under the Life Cover or reimburse* you for premiums you have paid in relation to any other Suncorp Group personal insurance policy, until the earlier of: the date when 2 years worth of Life Cover premiums have been waived; or the date a total of $2,000 of Life Cover premiums and Suncorp personal insurance policy premiums have been waived/reimbursed; or the date cover ends under the policy. * Proof of payment is required 2.5 Improved Guarantee on Life Cover Level Premium On occasion we may need to review our standard premium rates and as a result premiums may increase or decrease. At, we recognise the importance of level premiums and have now guaranteed not to increase the level premium rates that apply to your Life Cover Death Benefit policy until 1 January If you select Life Cover under a level premium structure, we guarantee not to increase our standard level premium rates that apply to the Life Cover Death Benefit any time prior to 1 January Improved Optional Benefits Below is a summary of changes to optional benefits each with a simple description of how it affects you. Some of the terms and expressions used in the policy wording quick reference below have specific meaning and the meaning of these words and expressions can be found in the glossary of our current Product Disclosure Statement (PDS). A copy of our latest PDS is available on our website, or by contacting Life Customer Service on Some or all of these options may be limited to certain occupations only. Where you already have an optional benefit applied to your policy any improvements to that optional benefit will be automatically applied to your policy. All other new options can be applied for and will require underwriting. In the event of a claim, you will be assessed against the most recent, upgraded version of the policy. If, in your opinion, the improvements are less favourable, we will assess you against your previous policy terms. We will work with you and your adviser to ensure that the cover you have is most appropriate to your needs. Please note that if you are suffering a pre-existing condition before the effective date that the upgrade is applied to your policy, it will not apply when assessing any claim affected by that pre-existing condition. The effective date for each upgrade is denoted in the summary of changes. 3.1 Improved Definition Own Occupation TPD (choice of occupation) Qualification criteria for Total and Permanent Disablement claims have been improved to cover situations where TPD occurs within 3 months of changing employment or if you become unemployed. You now have the freedom to choose to have your disability assessed against either your current occupation or the occupation you were in at the time of application, whichever is more favourable to you. If you were engaged in your current occupation for less than 3 months immediately before suffering the sickness or injury directly related to the claim event, we will assess you against either: the occupation you were engaged in at commencement date; or the occupation you were last engaged in before becoming unable to work; whichever is more favourable for you.

8 6 Enhancements Life Cover 3.2 Improved Sum Insured Single Loss of Limb or Eye Benefit To further fully reflect the impact that the loss of a limb or eye can have on your future financial security, a lump sum payment of 25% of the sum insured is payable, but the previous maximum cap of $250,000 has now been increased to $500,000. If the schedule states single payout or single payout : no buy back total and permanent disablement applies, we will pay the Single Loss of Limb or Eye Benefit single payout if you suffer single loss of limb or eye, while covered under this policy. The minimum we will pay is $10,000. The maximum we will pay is the lesser of: 25% of the sum insured for total and permanent disablement; and $500,000 We will pay the Single Loss of Limb or Eye Benefit single payout only once. The sum insured for the Total and Permanent Disablement Option and Life Cover will be reduced by the Single Loss of Limb or Eye Benefit single payout payment and premiums changed accordingly. If the schedule states the Cancer Cover Option applies, the sum insured for the Cancer Cover Option will be reduced (if required) to be no greater than the Life Cover sum insured and premiums changed accordingly. 3.3 New Business Security Option If you are a business owner, you may want the flexibility of changing the level of your cover so you can meet your business needs. This Business Security Option gives you the option to increase your cover in line with the value of your business without the need for additional medical underwriting. In addition, we have increased the maximum limits to which you can increase your cover without medical underwriting to 3 times the initial sum insured subject to a maximum limit as shown below. Product Reason for increase Maximum cover limit + Life Cover Loan Cover $10,000,0000 Life Cover Buy/Sell, $15,000,000 Key Person TPD Loan Cover, Buy/Sell, Key Person $5,000,000* + In all cases, the maximum limit to which the sum insured can be increased without medical underwriting is 3 times the initial sum insured. * For TPD cover, the maximum payment limit of $5,000,000 includes $3,000,000 of any/own occupation TPD and $2,000,000 of modified TPD. 3.4 Improved Sum Insured Needlestick Option If you work as a health professional, you may find the Needlestick Option provides you with added security. It offers a lump sum payment for needlestick injury occurring in the course of your normal occupation that results in HIV or Hepatitis B or C. The impact this benefit can have on quality of life has now been massively boosted with a doubling of the maximum payout from $500,000 to $1,000,000, making it worthwhile to have this included in the policy. 3.5 New TPD No Buyback Option If you have chosen the TPD option on your Life Cover policy, you can reduce your premiums by choosing the TPD No Buyback definition. However, this means you can no longer buy back your Life Cover sum insured should it be reduced due to a claim on another benefit. If the schedule states single payout or single payout: no buy back total and permanent disablement applies, and we pay the full sum insured for total and permanent disablement, then: the sum insured for Life Cover is reduced by the amount paid; and future premiums are reduced to reflect the reduced sum insured for Life Cover. If the sum insured for Life Cover is reduced to nil, the cover ends. 3.6 Improved Definitions Cancer Cover Option The Cancer Cover Option offers a practical and cost effective way to extend your Life Cover protection to provide financial security against the threat of certain common and debilitating cancers. Now we have further extended the reach of this cover by improving and clarifying the definitions of certain conditions and adding a new cancer condition that provides a partial payment of the sum insured. This means that you have a greater scope to claim without any increase in the cost of this option. These changes include:

9 Enhancements Life Cover Improved Definition Cancer Cover Option (Prostatic Cancer) We have enhanced our definition for treatment of the prostate as a result of early stage prostatic cancer to major treatment of early stage prostatic cancer. Definition means that the tumour requires treatment by surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, biological response modifiers or any other major treatment to arrest the spread of the malignancy and the treatment is the appropriate and necessary treatment. Early stage prostatic cancer means a prostate cancer tumour that is histologically described as having: a TNM Classification T1 (or any equivalent classification); or a Gleason score of 5 or less; or a TNM Classification Tis (or any equivalent classification) New Partial Cancer Cover Benefit (Carcinoma in-situ of the Corpus Uteri) We now pay a partial benefit under the Cancer Cover Option if you suffer from carcinoma in-situ of the corpus uteri. The exact definition of this condition is provided below. Definition means a focal autonomous new growth of carcinomatous cells within the corpus-uteri which has not yet resulted in the invasion of normal tissues. `Invasion means an infiltration and/or active destruction of normal tissue beyond the basement membrane. The tumour must be classified as Tis according to the TNM staging method or FIGO* Stage 0. * FIGO refers to the staging method of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics Improved Partial Cancer Cover Benefit (Early Stage Melanoma) We now pay a partial benefit under the Cancer Cover Option if you suffer from early stage melanoma. The exact definition of this condition is provided below. Definition means the presence of one or more malignant melanomas. The melanoma is less than Clark 3 or less than 1.5mm depth of invasion as determined by histological examination. The malignancy must be characterised by the uncontrollable growth and spread of malignant cells and the invasion and destruction of normal tissue. Tumours which are histologically described as pre-malignant are excluded Improved Definition Cancer Cover Option (Cancer) The definition of cancer under the Cancer Cover Option has been modified to include multiple myeloma as well as including ulceration as a criterion to determine the severity of a melanoma (in line with medical advances). Definition means the presence of one or more malignant tumours including malignant lymphoma, Hodgkin s disease, leukaemia, multiple myeloma, malignant bone marrow disorders and melanomas greater than or equal to Clark Level 3 or greater than or equal to 1.5mm depth of invasion or where the melanoma is showing signs of ulceration as determined by histological examination. The tumour must be characterised by: the uncontrolled growth and spread of malignant cells; and the invasion and destruction of normal tissue. The tumour must also: require treatment by surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, biological response modifiers, or any other major treatment; or be totally incurable. The following tumours are excluded: a) tumours which are histologically described as pre-malignant or show the malignant changes of carcinoma in situ ; carcinoma in situ of the breast is not excluded if the entire breast is removed specifically to arrest the spread of malignancy, and this procedure is the appropriate and necessary treatment as recommended by a registered doctor. b) melanomas which: have no evidence of ulceration; and are less than Clark Level 3; and are less than 1.5mm depth of invasion as determined by histological examination; c) all other types of skin cancers unless they have metastasised; and d) prostatic cancers which are both histologically described as TNM Classification T1 or lesser (or any other equivalent or lesser classification) and have a Gleason score of 5 or less.

10 8 Enhancements Life Cover Improved Definition Waiting Period for Cancer Cover Option The 90 day waiting period for Cancer events previously started on the commencement date of the policy. It will now commence from the date the fully completed application was received by us. If you are covered for the Cancer Cover Option, we will pay you the Cancer Cover Option sum insured in the event you satisfy our definition for cancer or major treatment of early stage prostatic cancer. Cover does not start until the later of the policy commencement date and 3 months after the following scenarios, whichever one is applicable to you: the receipt by us of a fully completed application for insurance; the receipt by us of a fully completed application for increase to sum insured (in respect to the increased portion only); or the most recent reinstatement of the policy This does not apply if your policy is a replacement policy. 3.7 New Healthy Plus Option We are always looking for creative ways to differentiate our products and build in better value for you. One such innovation that is now being offered as an option on your Life Cover policy is the Healthy Plus Option. This option provides rewards for clients who follow a healthy lifestyle and can satisfy certain health criteria. If you qualify you can receive a 20% discount on your premiums for the Life Cover Death benefit. Each year the discount will reduce by 1%, but the full discount can be reinstated if you can continue to provide the relevant health and personal information and this meets the Healthy Plus Option criteria. 3.8 New Own Occupation Definition for Part Time Professionals The benefit of an own occupation TPD definition is now available to professional clients who work less than 20 hours per week or are not working. Own Occupation is also available to all clients working more than 20 hours per week. If your occupation class is AA, AP, LP or MP at the commencement date and you were working 20 hours or less per week when you applied for total and permanent disablement and you were working more than 20 hours per week immediately before suffering the sickness or injury directly related to the claim event, we will pay the sum insured if you satisfy the criteria for own occupation total and permanent disablement. If your occupation class is AA, AP, LP or MP at the commencement date and you were working 20 hours or less per week when you applied for total and permanent disablement and you were working; and were working 20 hours or less per week immediately before suffering the sickness or injury directly related to the claim event, we will pay the sum insured if you satisfy the criteria for any occupation total and permanent disablement. 3.9 New TPD Waiting Period Eligibility TPD Benefit payments have a standard waiting period of 3 months before benefits are released to ensure that all evidence is gathered and validity of claims is established. However, if you suffer one of the conditions listed below and you can provide the required medical evidence, we will reduce the waiting period from 3 months to 14 days: Blindness Cardiomyopathy Chronic lung failure Loss of Speech Major head trauma Motor Neurone Disease Paralysis Primary pulmonary hypertension Improved Definition TPD Waiting Period In recognition of the significant impact that a serious illness or severe disablement can have on your finances and your lifestyle, we have reduced the waiting period for TPD claims from 6 months to 3 months. This means less delay in lodging a TPD claim and faster decision times in making an assessment.

11 4.0 Contact us If you have any queries about the automatic enhancements to your policy, or want to find out more about the optional benefits, contact your adviser, visit our website or call our Life Customer Service team on Important note This information is general advice and doesn t take into account a person s objectives, financial situation or needs. A person should consider the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) available at and consider obtaining financial advice before making any decision about this product. This product is not a bank deposit or other bank liability. Products and services are provided by different entities in the Suncorp Group and each entity is not responsible for, does not guarantee and is not liable in any respect for products or services of other Suncorp entities. is issued jointly by Suncorp Life & Superannuation Limited ABN AFSL and Suncorp Portfolio Services Limited ABN AFSL RSE Licence No L

12 Contact Life or the Trustee Mail Life Customer Service GPO Box 68 Sydney NSW 2001 Fax Phone (outside Sydney) Web Life state offices NSW/ACT Level Kent Street Sydney NSW 2000 GPO Box 4252 Sydney NSW 2001 T F NSW callers outside Sydney VIC/TAS Level 8 15 William Street Melbourne Vic 3000 PO Box Collins St West Melbourne VIC 8007 T F Vic callers outside Melbourne & Tasmanian callers QLD Level 4 50 McDougall Street Milton QLD 4064 PO Box 5229 West End QLD 4101 T F QLD callers outside Brisbane SA/NT Level Grenfell Street Adelaide SA 5000 PO Box 429 Unley Business Centre Unley SA 5061 T F SA callers outside Adelaide WA Level 3 37 St Georges Terrace Perth WA 6000 PO Box 444 West Perth WA 6872 T F WA callers outside Perth Suncorp Life & Superannuation Limited ABN AFS Licence No Level Kent Street Sydney NSW 2000 Suncorp Portfolio Services Limited ABN AFS Licence No RSE Licence No. L Level 18 Suncorp Centre 36 Wickham Terrace Brisbane QLD 4000 AS /01/12 B