EasyProtect Major Illness

How do I get a quote and buy major illness insurance online

How do I apply for major illness insurance cover?

Click on the get a quote link. It's quick and easy to get an EasyProtect Major Illness insurance quote and buy your insurance policy online.

How long will the online application take?

You can get an EasyProtect Major Illness insurance quote in a matter of minutes. If you decide to buy you will then need to answer some health, occupational and pastime questions.

What will I need to get a sickness protection quote?

All you need to do is complete the quote section of our online application.

How long does it take to get insured?

Your EasyProtect Major Illness insurance cover starts immediately after you buy the insurance online. Once your payment is confirmed, a printable version of your Policy Schedule confirming when your EasyProtect Major Illness insurance cover started and your level of cover will be then available.

How secure is OnePath's Online Insurance site?

The security and privacy of your information is of important to OnePath. We use the latest technologies to ensure your details are kept confidential and secure, including the 128-bit secured encryption protocol for managing the security of your information while it's transmitted over the internet, and 256-bit encryption for the storage of your payment information. When you are in the quote engine, you can tell if the connection between our servers and your computer is 'secure' if your browser displays a small closed lock () in the status bar at the bottom of the screen.

Major illness insurance - General questions

Why is OnePath offering this critical illness protection?

OnePath is offering OnePath’s EasyProtect Major Illness insurance as a way for customers to take out cover for major illness or injury. Depending on your age, OnePath’s EasyProtect Major Illness insurance can offer up to $750,000 cover. Also, OnePath allows you to take out the policy over the phone or online, so there are no forms to complete.

I have life insurance, do I need this cover?

Life insurance is the type of insurance that can provide a benefit only in the event of death or terminal illness. A major illness or injury can affect you for months or even years, and few people can afford that sort of time off work. EasyProtect Major Illness insurance cover can provide a benefit if you suffer a major illness or injury like a heart attack, cancer or paralysis.

Who is the insurer?

OnePath’s EasyProtect Major Illness insurance is issued by OnePath Life Limited (OnePath Life) ABN 33 009 657 176 AFSL 238341 – a registered life insurance company – it is a wholly owned subsidiary of Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited (ANZ) ABN 11 005 357 522. ANZ is an authorised deposit taking institution (Bank) under the Banking Act 1959 (Cth). One Path Life is owned by ANZ – it is the issuer of the product but it is not a Bank. Except as set out in the issuer's contract terms (including the PDS), this product is not a deposit or other liability of ANZ or its related group companies. None of them stands behind or guarantees the issuer. OnePath has been providing insurance to our customers in Australia since 1985.

What is the OnePath Privacy Policy?

OnePath’s Privacy Policy outlines how we collect and use your personal information. Our privacy policy can be found in the Product Disclosure Statement available on the website or at www.onepath.com.au/privacy-policy.

What is a Product Disclosure Statement (PDS)?

The Product Disclosure Statement is a document which summarises the important information you should know about OnePath’s EasyProtect Major Illness insurance and is designed to assist you in deciding whether or not to purchase or keep OnePath’s EasyProtect Major Illness insurance. You can download the PDS on our website.

What does Australian resident mean?

For the purposes of the EasyProtect Major Illness insurance policy, an Australian resident is defined as a holder of Australian or New Zealand Citizenship, or an Australian Permanent Residency Visa; currently residing in Australia at the time of application

I already have life cover

Life insurance is the type of insurance that can provide a benefit only in the event of death or terminal illness. OnePath's EasyProtect Major Illness insurance can provide a benefit if you have a major illness, life cancer or stroke.

Product Information / Eligibility questions

Why do I need EasyProtect Major Illness insurance?

EasyProtect Major Illness insurance could pay you financial benefit should you suffer a major illness or injury, such as cancer, heart attack or paraplegia. EasyProtect Major Illness insurance does not restrict how the payout can be used. For example, it could be used to pay off your mortgage and any other debts you have. It can also be used to supplement your health insurance cover, to pay for out of pocket expenses, or even to take a recuperative holiday.

What is covered under an OnePath’s EasyProtect Major Illness insurance policy?

OnePath’s EasyProtect Major Illness insurance policy covers you in the event that you suffer one of the following conditions covered (after the relevant qualifying criteria), as they are defined in the policy:

• cancer
• chronic kidney failure
• coronary artery by-pass surgery
• heart attack
• mulitple sclerosis
• paralysis
• severe burns
• stroke

How much cover can I take?

Depending on your age you can take up to $750,000 cover:

• 18-44 can select up to $750,000
• 45-54 can select up to $375,000
• 55-59 can select up to $125,000

The minimum level of cover you can apply for is $25,000.

Are there any qualifying periods?

Yes. Cover for:

• cancer,
• coronary artery by-pass surgery,
• heart attack and
• stroke

is subject to a 90 day qualifying period. You will not be entitled to cover for these conditions if the condition first occurs, is first diagnosed or the symptoms leading to the condition first became apparent during the first 90 days after the date from which cover commences, the date of reinstatement or the date of an increase (in respect of the increased portion of cover).

Am I eligible for OnePath’s EasyProtect Major Illness insurance?

You may be eligible for OnePath’s EasyProtect Major Illness insurance if you are:

• aged between 18 and 59 years
• an Australian or NZ citizen or holder of an Australian Permanent Residency Visa and currently residing in and receiving the PDS in Australia

How much sickness protection cover do I need?

For this product, we can not advise you on your financial needs. You should choose what you think is the most appropriate level of cover for you. If you are unsure you should speak with one of OnePath’s Financial Advisers on 133 667 or other professional, such as your accountant.

What if I want more sickness protection cover?

If you require a higher level of cover than is available under OnePath’s EasyProtect Major Illness insurance then it is suggested that you should speak with one of OnePath’s Financial Advisers on 133 667, who may be able to give you advice about products with higher levels of cover.

What are the eligibility criteria?

To be eligible to apply for OnePath’s EasyProtect Major Illness insurance you must be aged between 18 and 59 years and hold an Australian or New Zealand citizenship, or an Australian Permanent Residency Visa, and currently residing in Australia at the time of application.

There are a number of health and lifestyle questions which we ask you as part of the application process and your answers to these will determine whether or not we can offer you cover under OnePath’s EasyProtect Major Illness insurance.

Do I have to take any medicals or blood tests?

There are absolutely no blood tests or medicals to take however to keep premiums low – we do ask some occupation, health and pastime questions.

When does my cover begin?

If accepted, your critical illness cover would start immediately.

What if I don’t want my critical illness cover anymore?

You can cancel your policy at any time. If you cancel within the 21 days cooling off period, and no claims have been made, you will receive a full refund of any premiums paid.

When does my critical illness cover end?

Cover for all benefits for a life insured will end on the policy anniversary date after that life insured’s 70th birthday.

Your cover can be cancelled by you any time. OnePath can cancel the policy if you do not pay premiums when due.

Am I covered overseas?

Yes – you are covered anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, subject to the policy terms which include a war and travel exclusion. The travel exclusion will operate to exclude cover if you a claim arises while you are visiting a country for which the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has issued a ‘Do Not Travel' warning advice that is in force during the time you stay in that country.

Under the war exclusion, we will not pay a claim arising directly or indirectly from war (whether formally declared or not), hostilities, civil commotion or insurrection.

Can I increase the cover?

You cannot increase your cover after the end of the cooling off period. However OnePath will automatically increase your level of cover each year to keep pace with inflation, unless you request that you don’t want this. From time to time, OnePath may also offer you an upgrade of cover.

Can I decrease the critical illness cover?

You can decrease your cover at any time by notifying OnePath.

Can my spouse/partner be covered, too?

Yes, when you apply for EasyProtect Major Illness you can apply for cover for your spouse/partner as a second life insured. You will remain the policy owner and principal life insured on the policy.

Can I add my spouse at a later date?

No, if you wish for your partner to call back later, they will be on a separate policy and will not get the combined cover discount.

Are there any exclusions?

Yes there are, these include any claim arising directly or indirectly from:

• Your intentional or deliberate act or omission
• HIV or AIDS
• war (whether formally declared or not), hostilities, civil commotion or insurrection, or
• you visiting a country where the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has issued a ‘Do not travel’ warning advice that is in force during the time you stay in that country.

Also, you must survive 8 days without life support after the date of occurrence or diagnosis of a specified condition to be eligible to claim under this policy. You should read the EasyProtect Major Illness Product Disclosure Statement and Policy for a full list of exclusions.

If I applied for cover in Australia and then moved overseas, am I still covered?

OnePath’s EasyProtect Major Illness insurance provides worldwide coverage, 24 hours a day 365 days per year, providing you meet the eligibility requirement at the time of application.  However, a travel exclusion will operate to exclude cover if a claim arises while you are visiting a country for which the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has issued a ‘Do Not Travel' warning advice that is in force during the time you stay in that country and war exclusions also applies.

Please remember though that all claims will be paid in Australian dollars in Australia, and the premiums must be paid in Australian dollars.

Critical Illness cost and premium related questions

How are premiums calculated?

The premium you pay depends on the cover level you select, your age, gender, smoker status and your answers to health and lifestyle questions. In general terms, the younger and healthier you are, the lower your premiums will be. 

Are my premiums tax deductible?

No, generally premiums for major illness insurance policies are not tax deductible. You should speak to your accountant regarding this.

Will I get a discount if I cover my partner too?

Yes, if you take out cover for yourself as the principal life insured and also for your spouse/partner, the following discounts will be applied to the premium in respect of your partner:

• if you pay fortnightly a discount of $2.50 off the fortnightly premium
• if you pay monthly a discount of $5 off the monthly premium
• if you pay annually a discount of $40 off the annual premium

Will the premiums increase?

Premiums for the cover are based on your age which means that premiums will be recalculated each year on your policy anniversary, based on your age at that time.  Premiums for EasyProtect Major Illness insurance may also be changed if premiums for all OnePath’s EasyProtect Major Illness insurance policies are changed, but we must give you 30 days written notice is given of the change. 

How can premiums be paid?

You can pay your premiums either on a fortnightly, monthly or annual basis. If you pay annually, a discount will apply. The discount will be included in the calculation of your annual premium amount as shown in your premium quote. 

Can I nominate a beneficiary to receive my benefits?

No, you cannot nominate any beneficiaries. You as the policy owner are the only person who is entitled to receive any benefits under this policy in the event that a life insured suffers an insured event as described in the EasyProtect Major Illness Product Disclosure Statement and Policy. 

What if I stop paying my premiums? 

Call the OnePath Insurance Centre on 1800 500 229 to determine whether you can change your level of cover so that you can continue with your cover. If you do not pay your premiums when due, we may cancel your policy. If we cancel your policy due to non payment of premium, we must first give you notice in writing of 20 business days. We’ll also write to you to let you know that your cover has ceased.

When will the first payment be deducted from my account?

Your cover will begin immediately and the premium for your first month of cover will be charged to your credit card after 7 business days. From then on, your premium will be debited on a monthly or fortnightly basis.

Are there non-smoker discounts? Do smokers pay more?

Smokers do pay more than non-smokers. If you give up smoking for more than 12 months, you can move back to the non-smoker premium. You will need to complete a ‘non-smoker declaration’.

Is there a cooling off period?

Yes there is a 21 day cooling off period in which you have the right to cancel your policy provided no claim has been made under the policy. If you cancel your policy within the cooling off period, we will return to you any premiums you have paid. To cancel, simply notify us either by phone, fax or in writing.

Can OnePath cancel my cover?

As long as your premiums are paid when due and you have fulfilled your duty of disclosure OnePath cannot cancel your policy.  Your sickness protection cover is guaranteed renewable to the Policy anniversary date following your 70th birthday.

What if I decide to cancel my cover in the future - will I get anything back?

No, the Policy does not have a savings, investment, cash or surrender value.

What if I change my mind?

You can cancel your policy at any time by contacting us on 1800 500 229. If you cancel within the 21 day cooling-off period, and no claims have been made, you will receive a full refund of any premiums paid.

After the cooling-off period, we will not refund any monthly or fortnightly premiums if the policy is cancelled. We will pay a pro rata refund where premiums are paid annually and you cancel the policy before the next annual payment is due.

How is a critical illness insurance claim made?

Please view the EasyProtect Major Illness – How to claim section to find out more or please call us on 1800 500 229 and we will send the necessary forms to be completed, signed and returned.
For any claim you must provide the information required by us to establish the occurrence of the event giving rise to the claim and your specified condition must be diagnosed and certified by a specialist medical practitioner agreed to by OnePath.

Who receives the money when I claim?

Benefits are paid directly to you the policy owner. 

What documentation is required for a critical illness insurance claim?

If you or your family need to make a claim, you will need supporting documentation for the event being claimed. This will generally be certification of your diagnosis of a specified condition by a doctor or specialist approved by OnePath.

Do I have to continue to pay my premiums if I make a critical illness insurance claim?

If you make a claim and the Major Illness and Injury Benefit is paid, your policy will end. After that time, no more premiums are payable.