Understanding different types of insurance

We know that not everything in life goes according to plan – which is why it’s important to be prepared. While you’re working hard to take care of yourself and your loved ones, it’s worth thinking about how you would cope financially if something unexpected happens. Luckily, insurance can ease financial burden, by creating a valuable safety net for your finances.

It’s important to understand what is covered and that you buy the right insurance policy for your needs. To help you navigate the various insurance products available, here’s a breakdown of some of the main types of cover.

Car insurance

If you own and drive a vehicle on Australian roads, it’s compulsory to have insurance that covers accidents caused by the driver of a vehicle, which result in death or injury to others. Depending on the state or territory in which you live, this may be included in the vehicle’s registration or purchased separately e.g. Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance.

Here are some other types of insurance you should consider for your vehicle:

  • Comprehensive car insurance – covers damage to other people’s property, plus cover for damage from events like collision, flood, storms, fire and theft.
  • Third Party Property, Fire & Theft – covers damage to other people’s property, plus cover for fire and theft.
  • Third Party Property damage – covers damage to other people’s property.
     

Home insurance

Building and contents insurance protects against damage or loss of your property and belongings. If you own your own home, you can bundle these covers together. If you’re renting or live in a strata building, you may want to consider contents insurance.

Use our Building sum insured calculator or Contents sum insured calculator to estimate how much cover you need.

Health insurance

Private health insurance can cover some hospital and medical costs that aren’t covered by Medicare – including ambulance cover, and extras such as optical and dental. While health insurance isn’t compulsory, if you earn above a certain level of income, you may need to pay the Medicare levy surcharge.

Life insurance

If something happens to you or your partner, this can have a devastating impact on your finances. That’s where life insurance may help. There are different types of life insurance available, depending on your circumstances and needs:

  • Life cover (also called death cover) – pays a lump sum benefit if you die or become terminally ill.
  • Total and permanent disablement (TPD) cover – pays a lump sum if you’re no longer able to work due to a specified permanent disability.
  • Income protection – pays a regular benefit if you’re unable to work because of injury or illness.
  • Trauma cover – pays for medical traumas such as heart attack or cancer.
     

Before you insure

Cover can differ from one insurer to another, so make sure you choose a policy that meets your individual needs. Insurance doesn’t cover everything so it’s important to find out what’s covered and what isn’t. Make sure you also understand the premium costs and any excess you’ll need to pay if you do claim.

Explore a range of insurance products

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Things you should know

This article provides general information of an educational nature only. It does not have regard to the financial situation or needs of any reader and must not be relied upon as personal financial product advice. The views expressed by contributors are their own and don’t necessarily reflect the views of CBA. As the information has been provided without considering your objectives, financial situation or needs, you should, before acting on this information, consider what is appropriate for your circumstances, and where appropriate, consider the relevant Target Market Determination, Product Disclosure Statement and Terms and Conditions available on our website. You should also consider whether seeking independent professional legal, tax and financial advice is necessary. Every effort has been taken to ensure the information was correct as at the time of publishing but it may be subject to change. No part of the editorial contents may be reproduced or copied in any form without the prior permission and acknowledgement of CBA.

Home Insurance and Car Insurance are provided and issued by Hollard Insurance Partners Limited ABN 96 067 524 216, AFSL 235030 (Hollard) and distributed by the Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124, AFSL 234945 (CBA). Hollard is not part of the CBA Group. CBA and its related entities do not sell, issue or guarantee the obligations or performance of Hollard or the products Hollard offers and these insurance products do not represent a deposit with or liability of either CBA or any of its related bodies corporate. 

For products issued by Hollard, information about the target market can be found within the product’s Target Market Determination available here

Life Insurance provided by AIA Australia (Life Insurance) and Income Protection provided by AIA Australia (Income Protection), as described on this website, are provided and issued by AIA Australia Limited ABN 79 004 837 861, AFSL 230043 (AIA Australia) and distributed by CBA. AIA Australia is not part of the CBA Group. CBA and its related entities do not sell, issue or guarantee the obligations or performance of AIA Australia or the products it offers and these insurance products do not represent a deposit with or liability of either CBA or any of its related bodies corporate.

For products issued by AIA Australia, information about the target market can be found within the product’s Target Market Determination available here.