EasyProtect Life

Life Insurance - General questions

Why do I need life insurance?

If you're the main income earner in the family, life insurance can help provide a stable financial future for your loved ones if you pass away. Life insurance can help your family manage major household expenses, such as the mortgage and education costs, plus other unforeseen expenses, such as funeral costs.

Why should I buy life insurance from ING?

ING Australia Limited (ING Australia) is one of Australia's leading fund managers, life insurers and superannuation providers with over $30 billion in assets under management. With over 100 years experience in life insurance, both locally and globally, we can provide you with a broad range of insurance products to help protect you and your family.

I have life insurance cover with my superannuation. Why do I need additional life insurance?

It's great that you've started to protect your family's lifestyle. However, your superannuation may have a lower level of cover than you expect and may not be adequate to cover your changing circumstances.

I am self-employed. Why do I need life insurance?

Running your own business is an even bigger reason to consider life insurance. Even if you have your own superannuation fund, you may not have any or adequate levels of life insurance cover. So, it's important to review your insurance cover to ensure that both the financial future of your business and your loved ones is secure.

Who is the insurer?

ING’s EasyProtect Life is issued by ING Life Limited – a registered life insurance company holding Australian Financial Services License Number: 238341 – it is wholly owned by ING Australia Limited. ING has been providing insurance to our customers in Australia since 1985.

What is the ING Privacy Policy?

ING’s Privacy Policy outlines how we deal collect and use your personal information. Our privacy policy can be found in the Product Disclosure Statement available on the website at www.ing.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 ING’s EasyProtect Life and is designed to assist you in deciding whether or not to purchase or keep life insurance.

What does Australian resident mean?

For the purposes of EasyProtect Life policy, an Australian resident is defined as an Australian or New Zealand Citizen, or a holder of an Australian Permanent Residency Visa; currently residing within Australia at the time of application.

Product Information / Eligibility Questions

What is life insurance?

Life insurance cover pays out a lump sum benefit to your Estate if you die during the period of cover.

What is the Life Benefit?

The Life Benefit pays up to $1,500,000 on death or if you are diagnosed as terminally ill with less than 12 months to live.

What is the Major Illness and Injury Benefit?

The Major Illness and Injury Benefit is optional cover from $25,000 up to 50% of the Life Benefit in the event that one of the following specified conditions occurs (after the relevant 90 day qualifying period);

• cancer,
• chronic kidney failure,
• coronary artery bypass surgery,
• heart attack,
• multiple sclerosis
• paralysis,
• severe burns or
• stroke

This payout can be used for anything you want – for example, to cover additional medical costs, to reduce debts and cover day to day living expenses.

If a Major Illness and Injury Benefit is paid, your Life Benefit premium is reduced by that amount, and your ongoing Life cover premium will also be reduced accordingly.

After age 70, the Major Illness and Injury Benefit changes to cover you for loss of independent existence only, rather than the specified conditions.

What is loss of independent existence?

Loss of independent existence means that you are totally and permanently unable to perform at least two of the five activities of daily living without the assistance of another adult person. Activities of daily living are:

• bathing and/or showering
• dressing and undressing
• eating and drinking
• using a toilet to maintain personal hygiene
• getting in and out of bed, a chair or wheelchair, or moving from place to place by walking, wheelchair or with the assistance of a walking aid.

Am I eligible for Life Insurance?

You are eligible for ING’s EasyProtect Life insurance if you are:

• aged between 18 and 59 years
• an Australian or NZ citizen or holder of an Australian Permanent Residency Visa,
• currently residing in Australia at the time of applying for cover.

What is the Advance Assistance Benefit?

The Advance Assistance Benefit provides a $15,000 advance payment of part of the Life Benefit. This is designed to give some early financial assistance.

The benefit will be paid within 5 business days of receipt of your full Australian death certificate or other evidence satisfactory to us stating the cause of your death. This benefit is not payable if you die as a result of anything excluded under this policy.

How much life insurance do I need?

Most people take out life insurance policy at key stages during their lives, including:

• getting married
• starting a new job or changing jobs
• the birth of children
• moving house
• launching a business or partnership

Life insurance from ING lets you choose how much cover you would like depending on your age and circumstances. Whatever level of life insurance cover you choose, your amount of cover is guaranteed to never decrease. If you require financial advice in determining your life insurance needs, call 133 667, weekdays from 9.00am to 6.00pm (Sydney time), to speak to a financial adviser or to obtain more information about ING's OneCare and Group Risk life insurance products.

What level of cover can I apply for?

For the Life Benefit, the minimum level of cover you can apply for is $50,000.
The maximum level depends on your age at application:

• 18-44: can select up to $1,500,000
• 45-54: can select up to $750,000
• 55-59: can select up to $250,000

For the Major Illness and Injury Benefit the minimum level of cover you can apply for is $25,000.
The maximum level is 50% of your Life Benefit sum insured.

What if I want more cover?

If you require a higher level of cover than is available under ING’s EasyProtect Life insurance then you might want to speak to an ING Financial Adviser, who may be able to give you advice about products with higher levels of cover.

Can I be turned down? What are the eligibility criteria?

To be eligible to apply for ING’s EasyProtect Life insurance you must be an Australian resident aged between 18 and 59 years.
There are a number of health and lifestyle questions you will be asked as part of the application process and your answers to these will determine whether or not we can offer you cover under ING’s EasyProtect Life insurance.

Do I have to take any medicals or blood tests?

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

Are there any qualifying periods?

If you take out the optional Major Illness and Injury Benefit, the following specified conditions are subject to a qualifying period of 90 days after your policy commences, is reinstated or increased (in respect of the increase):

• Cancer
• Coronary artery by-pass surgery
• Heart attack
• Stroke

Qualifying period means that that the symptoms leading up to the condition cannot have become apparent during the first 90 days of cover.

When does my cover begin?

Once you apply, if accepted, your cover starts immediately.

What if I change my mind?

That is fine – you can cancel your policy at any time. 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.

When does my cover end?

Your policy will end:

• On the policy anniversary after you turn 75 or
• On the payment of a Life Benefit.
• On payment of the Major Illness and Injury Benefit your cover under this benefit will end and your Life Benefit will be reduced by the amount of the Major Illness and Injury Benefit paid.

Your cover can be cancelled by you at any time. ING can cancel if you do not pay premiums when due or in accordance with our legal rights.

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 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 ING 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, ING may also offer you an upgrade of cover

Can I decrease the cover?

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

Can my spouse/partner be covered, too?

Your partner/spouse can be covered on a separate policy. Unfortunately, they can’t be covered on the same policy as you.

Can I apply on behalf of my spouse/partner

No you cannot. If your spouse/partner would like to be covered he/she can phone us directly.

Are there any exclusions?

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

• Suicide within the first 13 months of the policy acceptance date, reinstatement date or cover increase date.
• Any intentional or deliberate act or ommission after your policy commences which leads to the event giving rise to claim.
• War, hostilities, civil commotion or insurrection.
• Travel to a country currently subject to a DFAT ‘Do not travel’ warning.
• You contracting HIV or AIDS.

You should read the Product Disclosure Statement for a full list of exclusions.

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

EasyProtect Life insurance provides worldwide coverage, 24 hours a day 365 days per year, providing you are a Resident of Australia at the time of application. However, a 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.
Please remember though that all claims will be paid in Australian dollars in Australia, and the premiums must be paid in Australian dollars.

Life insurance cost and premium related questions

How are the cost of life insurance 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 healthier you are, the lower your premiums will be.

Is my premium tax deductible?

No, generally premiums for life insurance policies are not tax deductible. Please seek professional advice on your own taxation position.

Are the premiums guaranteed?

Premiums for the cover are based on your age, gender, smoker status, cover amount and answers to your health questions and may be recalculated each year on your policy anniversary. The cost of premiums for ING’s EasyProtect Life insurance may also be changed if premiums for all policies within a defined risk group are changed, but we must give you 30 days written notice of the change.

How can premiums be paid?

Premiums are payable monthly or fortnightly, and are charged automatically to your credit card or debited from your bank account.

What will happen if I can’t afford the monthly premiums anymore?

Call the ING 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 stop paying your premiums when due, your cover will end after 90 days and the policy will cease. We will 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 will be charged to your credit card or by direct debit within 3 business days, or if you have selected fortnightly payments, on your preferred payment date.

Can I pay annually?

No you cannot pay annually, but you can pay fortnightly or monthly.

Do smokers pay more?

Smokers do pay more than non-smokers. The premiums are based on your age, your gender, your smoker status, your general health and lifestyle and the level of cover you select. 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 ING cancel my cover?

As long as your premiums are paid when due and you have fulfilled your duty of disclosure ING cannot cancel your policy. Your cover is guaranteed renewable to the policy anniversary date following your 75th birthday

Can I cancel my cover at any time?

With this cover, there are no long-term contracts. You keep the cover for only as long as you need it. If you cancel your Policy during the 21 day cooling off period, provided no claim has been made under the Policy, we will return any premiums paid. If you cancel outside the cooling off period no premiums are refunded. To cancel, simply notify us by phone, fax or in writing. The cancelled plan will have no savings, investment or cash value then, or at any time.

How is a claim made?

If you need to make a claim, please call us on 1800 500 229, 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.

How do I claim for a Major Illness or Injury?

To claim a Major Illness and Injury Benefit, your condition must be diagnosed and certified by a medical practitioner agreed to by ING.

Who receives the money when I claim?

Benefits are paid directly to the policy owner in the event of a terminal illness or Major Illness and Injury Benefit claim. In the event of a claim on the Life Benefit, the money is paid to your estate.

What documentation is required for a claim?

If you or your family need to make the claim, you will need supporting documentation for the event being claimed. For terminal illness or Major Illness and Injury Benefit this will be certification of your illness or injury by a medical practitioner approved by ING. In the event of death, documentation will need to include an Australian death certificate stating the cause of death, or other evidence of the cause of death satisfactory to us.

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

If your claim is for the Life Benefit, your policy ceases and no further premiums are payable. If your claim is for the Major Illness and Injury Benefit, your Life Benefit will be reduced by the amount of the Major Illness and Injury Benefit paid and your premiums will be reduced accordingly.

How to get a life insurance quote and buy online

How do I apply for EasyProtect Life insurance cover?

Click on the get a quote link at the top of this page. It's quick and easy to get a quote and buy your policy online.

How long will the online application take?

You can get a life insurance quote online for EasyProtect Life in a matter of minutes. If you decide to buy you will then need to answer some health, occupational and past time questions.

What will I need to get a life insurance quote online?

All you need is to provide your date of birth, gender, smoker status, and Benefit Amount to get a life insurance online quote.

How long does it take to get insured?

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

How secure is ING's online insurance website?

The security and privacy of your information is of important to ING. 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.