Insurance Glossary
Insurance terms explained in plain English.
Insurance doesn't have to be complicated.
We've created this glossary to explain common insurance terms in simple, easy-to-understand language. Whether you're taking out insurance for the first time or reviewing your existing cover, this guide will help you better understand your policy and make informed decisions.
If there's a term you can't find, we're only a phone call or email away.
Optical Cover
Optical Cover is an optional benefit that can be added to some Medical Cover policies to help pay for eligible eye care expenses, such as prescription glasses, contact lenses and eye examinations.
Dental Cover
Dental Cover is an optional benefit that can be added to some Medical Cover policies to help pay for eligible routine and major dental treatment.
Indemnity Value
Indemnity Value is a type of Income Protection policy where the monthly benefit is based on your income at the time you make a claim, subject to your policy's terms and conditions.
Agreed Value
Agreed Value is a type of Income Protection policy where the monthly benefit is agreed when your policy is taken out, rather than being based solely on your income at the time of a claim.
Medical Tests
Medical Tests benefits help cover the cost of eligible diagnostic tests that assist in diagnosing or investigating a medical condition. The level of cover depends on your health insurance policy and the type of test required.
Specialist Consultations
A Specialist Consultations benefit helps cover the cost of seeing a medical specialist in private practice for eligible conditions, subject to your policy's terms and conditions.
Debt Protection
Debt Protection helps a business repay or reduce business debt if a business owner, shareholder or key person dies, becomes seriously ill or suffers a total and permanent disability, depending on the policy structure.
Shareholder Cover
Shareholder Cover helps protect a business if a shareholder dies, becomes seriously ill or suffers a total and permanent disability by providing funding to support a planned transfer of ownership.
Key Person Cover
Key Person Cover provides financial protection for a business if a key employee or business owner dies, becomes seriously ill, or suffers a total and permanent disability, depending on the policy selected.
Suspension of Cover
Suspension of Cover is a temporary pause in your insurance policy, where your cover is placed on hold under specific circumstances agreed to by your insurer.
Stand Down Period
A stand down period is a specified period after your insurance policy starts during which certain events or conditions aren't covered.
Pre-Existing Condition
A pre-existing condition is an illness, injury, medical condition or symptom that existed before your insurance cover started. It may be considered by an insurer when assessing your application for insurance.
Total Disability
Total Disability is the definition used by an insurance policy to determine when you're considered unable to work due to illness or injury and may be eligible to receive a benefit.
Partial Disability
Partial Disability is a benefit available under some Income Protection and Mortgage Protection policies that provides financial support if you're able to return to work but your illness or injury has reduced your ability to earn your usual income.
Indexation
Indexation is the automatic annual increase to your insurance cover, and usually your premium, to help keep your protection in line with inflation and the rising cost of living.
Stepped Premiums
Stepped premiums are insurance premiums that generally increase as you get older. They often start lower than level premiums, making them a popular option for people wanting to keep their initial insurance costs down.
Level Premiums
Level premiums are designed to remain relatively stable over time, helping make the long-term cost of your insurance more predictable.
Policy Wordings
Policy wordings are the official documents that explain exactly what your insurance covers, what it doesn't cover, and the conditions that apply to your policy.
Policy Anniversary
A policy anniversary is the annual date your insurance policy renews. It's often when your cover, premiums or other policy features may be reviewed or updated.
Policy Owner
A policy owner is the person or legal entity that owns and controls an insurance policy. The policy owner makes decisions about the policy, even if they aren't the person insured.
