Life Insurance documents, forms and updates

 Zurich Sumo – Summary of changes
Issue date: 27 September 2021

The above summary document sets out the changes made to Sumo over time which have been passed back to existing customers.

Improved benefits and definitions only apply to claims which arise as a result of events or conditions that first occur on or after the effective date of the change. Should the improved terms and conditions result in a less favourable outcome in the event of a claim, the original terms and conditions of the Sumo policy under which you applied can be relied upon.

The information below explains the most recent changes on 29 March 2021 and 27 September 2021.

Effective from 27 September 2021:

Trauma cover (Partial trauma benefit only)

The partial trauma payment for angioplasty (minimally invasive cardiac surgery), can be claimed more than once over the life of the policy. However, a claim won’t be paid for angioplasty procedures that occur within six months of each other. From the effective date, only procedures that are within a two-month period or part of the same investigation are subject to a restriction.

The new wording that updates all Zurich Sumo PDSs is as follows:

For angioplasty (minimally invasive cardiac surgery), double vessel procedures completed in two sessions within a two-month period, or that are the result of the same investigation which demonstrated the need for the procedures, will be considered to be one procedure, and a benefit will only be paid once.

The definition of angioplasty (minimally invasive cardiac surgery) is unchanged. You can find our current definition for this condition in the Zurich Sumo PDS dated 1 April 2020.

Effective from 29 March 2021:

Trauma cover, and income protection cover

The following policy definition has been updated as set out below.

benign tumour in the brain or spinal cord (with neurological deficit) means non-malignant tumour in the brain, pituitary gland or spine, resulting in:

• neurological deficit and
• a permanent and irreversible inability to perform at least one of the activities of daily living.

The impairment must be certified by an appropriate medical specialist.

The presence of the tumour must be confirmed by imaging studies such as CT scan or MRI.

Cysts, granulomas, and malformations in or of the arteries or veins of the brain and hamartomas are not covered.

 Zurich FutureWise - Summary of changes
Issue date: 27 September 2021

The above summary document sets out the changes made to FutureWise over time which have been passed back to existing customers.

Upgraded benefits and definitions only apply to claims which arise as a result of events or conditions that first occur on or after the effective date of the change. Should the upgraded terms and conditions result in a less favourable outcome in the event of a claim, the original terms and conditions of the FutureWise policy under which you applied can be relied upon.

The information below explains the most recent changes on 29 March 2021 and 27 September 2021.

Effective from 27 September 2021:

Trauma cover (partial trauma benefit only)

The 20% partial trauma payment for angioplasty, can be claimed more than once over the life of the policy. However, a claim won’t be paid for angioplasty procedures that occur within six months of each other. From the effective date, only procedures that are within a two-month period or part of the same investigation are subject to a restriction.

The new wording that updates all Zurich FutureWise PDSs is as follows:

You can claim for angioplasty more than once. Double vessel procedures completed in two sessions within a two-month period, or that are the result of the same investigation which demonstrated the need for the procedures, will be considered to be one procedure, and a benefit will only be paid once.

The definition of angioplasty is unchanged. You can find our current definition for this condition in the Zurich FutureWise PDS dated 1 October 2016.

Effective from 29 March 2021:

All Zurich FutureWise policies

• We’ve added an automatic reinstatement provision to your policy, allowing you 30 days to get cover back on track without assessment if your policy lapses due to non-payment of premium. We’ll tell you about this provision if your policy lapses. Your cancellation advice will explain how to arrange payment of outstanding premium to reinstate your cover. You also have 30 days to reinstate cover without assessment if you cancel it, provided you request reinstatement in writing. If the cover is reinstated in this period for non-payment of premium or because you cancelled it, no benefits will be paid for an event which occurs or is apparent while the policy is lapsed or cancelled.
• The Premium holiday feature has been re-named to better reflect the effect of pausing cover. This feature allows a break in cover (maximum of 12 months over the life of the policy) to ease financial pressure and is now known as Cover suspension. The feature is otherwise unchanged. Visit the ‘forms’ tab on the zurich.com.au/existingcustomers webpage to access the Cover suspension application form which includes the terms and conditions.

Trauma cover, child cover and income protection cover with extra benefit option

The following policy definition has been updated as set out below.

benign brain tumour with impairment level
Non-malignant tumour in the brain, pituitary gland or spine, resulting in a neurological deficit causing:

• permanent and irreversible whole person impairment of at least 25%, or
• total and irreversible inability to perform at least one of the numbered activities of daily living.

The presence of the tumour must be confirmed by imaging studies such as CT scan or MRI. Cysts, granulomas, and malformations in or of the arteries or veins of the brain and hamartomas are not covered.

 Zurich Super Protector - Summary of changes
Issue date: 27 September 2021

The above summary document sets out all the changes made to Super Protector over time which have been passed back to existing customers.

The information below explains the most recent changes on 27 May 2019 and 29 March 2021.

Effective from 29 March 2021:

We’ve added an automatic reinstatement provision to your policy, allowing you 30 days to get cover back on track without assessment if your policy lapses due to non-payment of premium. We’ll tell you about this provision if your policy lapses. Your cancellation advice will explain how to arrange payment of outstanding premium to reinstate your cover. You also have 30 days to reinstate cover without assessment if you cancel it, provided you request reinstatement in writing. If the cover is reinstated in this period for non-payment of premium or because you cancelled it, no benefits will be paid for an event which occurs or is apparent while the policy is lapsed or cancelled.

Effective from 27 May 2019:

The Future increases provision will now allow a cover increase when the life insured takes out a new investment property loan or when his/her child starts secondary school. And exercising the benefit is now more flexible - increases can be made either in the six months following the date when the event occurs or within 30 days of the next policy anniversary.  The updated wording of this benefit is set out below.

The definitions which apply to the Trauma benefit (under the Extra Benefits Option) have been reviewed to ensure that they are up to date with current diagnostic techniques and treatments.  Definitions for the following conditions have been updated. In some cases the change is to alter the name of the condition to better reflect the breadth of cover provided.

- chronic lung disease
- coma
- encephalitis (with impairment level) - previously encephalitis
- heart valve surgery
- multiple sclerosis with impairment level
- loss of hands or feet - previously loss of limbs
- loss of hearing
- loss of sight
- out of hospital cardiac arrest

Updated definitions are set out below.  Should any of the updated definitions result in a less favourable outcome for you in the event of a claim, the definitions in your existing policy will apply, so that you are never disadvantaged by our upgrades.

Future Increases

Under this feature, after certain events you can apply to increase your existing Life and/or TPD sums insured until the insured person turns 55, and we will accept the increase without the need for medical underwriting. However, satisfactory evidence of the personal or business event or change in financial position for which the increase is sought will be required. The application for an increase under this feature must be made on the appropriate form, available from your adviser or by contacting us on 131 551.

The table sets out the events and the maximum amounts by which you can apply to increase the sum insured.

Only increases of $10,000 or more are eligible for applications under the Future Increases feature. An increase under this feature cannot be made until 12 months after the cover start date for the applicable insurance cover.

The increase in cover must be requested either:

• in the six month period following the date of any covered event or
• within 30 days the policy anniversary following the date of any covered event.

Only one increase may be applied for in any 12 month period under this feature. The maximum amount by which the applicable sum insured can be increased under the Future Increases feature on your Super Protector policy is $1 million.

The TPD Insurance cannot be increased above $3 million for the own occupation, any occupation and superannuation optimiser definitions combined; $2 million for the modified TPD definition and $1 million for the domestic duties definition. These maximum limits apply inclusive of all cover for the insured person held with us or another insurer.

If included in a Life Insurance Policy or connected to a Life Insurance Policy through Flexible Linking the TPD sum insured cannot be increased to an amount greater than the Life sum insured.

Any premium adjustments, exclusions or special conditions which apply to the Life or TPD Insurance will also apply to any increases made to each of these insurances under this feature.

This feature is not available for each insurance if:

• the Insurance was issued with a premium adjustment in the form of a medical loading of 75% or more; or
• a claim has or can be made for the insured person under any policy of Life or TPD Insurance provided by us.

If an event or condition giving rise to a claim occurs during the first six months after an increase in the sum insured under this feature, we will only pay a claim in respect of the increased cover if:

• the condition for which the claim is being made is due to an accident; and
• the accident occurs after the date of the increase.

Trauma definitions for the Extra Benefits Option

chronic lung disease
End stage lung disease requiring permanent and continuous oxygen therapy, a persistent FEV1 less than 30% predicted or DLCO less than 40% predicted.

coma
A state of unconsciousness with no reaction to external stimuli or internal needs, resulting in a documented Glasgow Coma Scale of 8 or less, for a continuous period of at least 72 hours.

encephalitis (with impairment level)
Acute inflammation of the brain caused by viral or bacterial infection, resulting in neurological deficit and leading to:

• permanent and irreversible whole person impairment of at least 25%, or
• total and irreversible inability to perform at least one of the numbered activities of daily living.

heart valve surgery
The undergoing of surgery that is considered necessary to replace or repair cardiac valves as a consequence of heart valve defects or abnormalities that cannot be corrected by non-surgical techniques.

Specifically excluded are angioplasty and intra-arterial procedures.

multiple sclerosis with impairment level
Unequivocal diagnosis of multiple sclerosis with more than one episode of well defined neurological deficit with persisting neurological abnormalities, and evidenced by appropriate neuro-imaging and spinal fluid abnormalities, leading to neurological deficit and resulting in:

• permanent and irreversible whole person impairment of at least 25%, or
• total and irreversible inability to perform at least one of the numbered activities of daily living.

If spinal fluid abnormalities are not present or the test was not completed, we will consider other medical evidence acceptable to us that supports the diagnosis.

loss of hands or feet
The total and irreversible loss of the use of two or more of:

• an entire hand or
• an entire foot.

loss of hearing
Irreversible hearing loss in the better ear which even with amplification, results in a hearing threshold of 91dB or greater as measured at 500, 1000 and 1500 Hz.

loss of sight
The permanent and irrecoverable loss of sight, to the extent that:

• even when aided, eyesight is reduced in both eyes to 6/60 or worse of central visual acuity on the Snellen test chart or
• the degree of vision is less than or equal to 20 degrees of arc.

out of hospital cardiac arrest
Cardiac arrest that occurs outside of a hospital due to cardiac asystole or ventricular fibrillation with or without ventricular tachycardia.

The cardiac arrest must not be related to any medical procedure and must be documented by an electrocardiogram (ECG).

If an ECG is not available, we will consider medical evidence which is acceptable to us as confirming that an out of hospital cardiac arrest has occurred.

Examples of suitable evidence includes but is not limited to: Ambulance and Hospital Medical Reports confirming cardiac arrest or the administration of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) by an attending ambulance officer or hospital clinical staff or Automated External Defibrillator (AED) data.

The information below explains an earlier change, effective 15 May 2017:

Zurich has recently completed a review of policy definitions to ensure that they continue to reflect modern procedures and terminology.

The new terms are automatically passed on to Super Protector policy holders for insured events which occur on or after the date of the change.  Any claims lodged for these conditions, which first occurred after the date indicated, will be assessed against the original definition set out in your policy, as well as the new definition. Zurich takes this ‘dual approach’ to ensure we provide the best possible level of protection, as the life insured can qualify under either definition.

Effective from 15 May 2017, the definition of terminal illness has been improved so that it is now an advance payment of the Death benefit if the life insured is diagnosed as terminally ill and expected to live for no more than 24 months (certain medical certification requirements apply). The definition previously restricted payments to life expectancy of less than 12 months.

The new definition which applies from 15 May 2017 is set out below:

terminal illness means any condition caused by illness or injury, where despite all reasonable medical treatment, the life insured is expected to live for no more than 24 months as confirmed and certified* by:

• a specialist registered medical practitioner treating the condition with supporting evidence of the condition, possible medical treatment and the prognosis, and
• a registered medical practitioner approved by us.

* The period of life expectancy, certified by each medical practitioner, must not have ended.

 Zurich Superannuation Insurance - Summary of changes
Issue date: 27 September 2021

The above summary document sets out the changes made to insurance sold with the Macquarie Superannuation Plan between 1999 and today (excluding Super Protector and FutureWise), which have been passed back to existing customers.

The information below explains the most recent change on 27 May 2019.

Effective from 27 May 2019:

The Future increases provision will now allow a cover increase when the life insured takes out a new investment property loan or when his/her child starts secondary school. And exercising the benefit is now more flexible - increases can be made either in the six months following the date when the event occurs or within 30 days of the next policy anniversary.

The updated wording of this benefit is set out below:

Future Increases

Under this feature, after certain events the insured person can apply to us for specified amounts of additional Death or TPD cover until the insured person turns 55, and we will accept the application without the need for medical underwriting. However, satisfactory evidence of the personal or business event or change in financial position for which the increase is sought will be required. The application for additional cover under this feature must be made on the appropriate form – contact us on 131 551 and we will send you a copy.

A new policy will be issued for the additional cover under the equivalent product and premium rates available at the time the request for additional cover is made, subject to the special rules outlined below. The additional cover only takes effect from when we approve the application for the additional cover.

The following table sets out the events and the maximum amounts by which the insured person can apply for additional cover.

Only applications for additional cover of $10,000 or more are eligible under the Future Increases feature.

The additional cover must be requested either:

• in the six month period following the date of any covered event or
  
• within 30 days the policy anniversary following the date of any covered event.

Only one increase may be applied for in any 12 month period under this feature. The maximum amount for which additional cover can be applied for each type of cover under the Future Increases feature is $1 million.

The combined total of TPD cover under this contract and the additional TPD cover for the insured person cannot be greater than $3 million. Any additional TPD cover will be provided on the basis of the any occupation definition of TPD under the equivalent product available at the time the request for additional cover is made. These maximum limits apply inclusive of all cover for the insured person held with us or another insurer.

For additional cover, the TPD cover cannot be greater than any Death cover applied for under the Future Increases feature.

Additional cover provided under the Future Increases feature is only available as variable payout / fixed insurance, which means the additional cover is a fixed dollar amount of insurance and is paid over and above the accumulated balance in the account held in respect of the insured person in the fund.

Any premium adjustments, exclusions or special conditions which apply to the Death or TPD cover will also apply to any additional cover provided under this feature.

This feature is not available for each cover if:

• the cover was issued with a premium adjustment in the form of a medical loading of 75% or more, or
• a claim has or can be made for the insured person under any policy of Death or TPD cover provided by us.

If an event or condition giving rise to a claim occurs during the first six months after the commencement of the additional cover under this feature, we will only pay a claim in respect of the additional cover if:

• the condition for which the claim is being made is due to an accident, and
• the accident occurs after the date of the additional cover commences.

The information below explains an earlier change effective 15 May 2017:

Zurich has recently completed a review of policy definitions to ensure that they continue to reflect modern procedures and terminology.

The new terms are automatically passed on to Superannuation Insurance policy holders for insured events which occur on or after the date of the change.  Any claims lodged for these conditions, which first occurred after the date indicated, will be assessed against the original definition set out in your policy, as well as the new definition. Zurich takes this ‘dual approach’ to ensure we provide the best possible level of protection, as the life insured can qualify under either definition.

Effective from 15 May 2017, the definition of terminal illness has been improved so that it is now an advance payment of the Death benefit if the life insured is diagnosed as terminally ill and expected to live for no more than 24 months (certain medical certification requirements apply). The definition previously restricted payments to life expectancy of less than 12 months.

The new definition which applies from 15 May 2017 is set out below:

terminal illness means any condition caused by illness or injury, where despite all reasonable medical treatment, the life insured is expected to live for no more than 24 months as confirmed and certified* by:

• a specialist registered medical practitioner treating the condition with supporting evidence of the condition, possible medical treatment and the prognosis, and
• a registered medical practitioner approved by us.

* The period of life expectancy, certified by each medical practitioner, must not have ended.

 2009 Zurich Sumo Product Disclosure Statement
Issue date: 24 March 2009

 2011 Zurich Sumo Product Disclosure Statement
Issue date: 21 May 2011

 2014 Zurich Sumo Product Disclosure Statement
Issue date: 7 June 2014

 2016 Zurich Sumo Product Disclosure Statement
Issue date: 1 October 2016

 2017 Zurich Sumo Product Disclosure Statement
Issue date: 15 May 2017

 2019 Zurich Sumo Product Disclosure Statement
Issue date: 27 May 2019

 2020 Zurich Sumo Product Disclosure Statement
Issue date: 1 April 2020

 2006 Zurich FutureWise Product Disclosure Statement
Issue date: 1 November 2006

 2007 Zurich FutureWise Product Disclosure Statement
Issue date: 13 March 2007

 2008 Zurich FutureWise Product Disclosure Statement
Issue date: 18 April 2008

 2008 Zurich FutureWise Product Disclosure Statement
Issue date: 24 October 2008

 2009 Zurich FutureWise Product Disclosure Statement
Issue date: 15 May 2009

 2009 Zurich FutureWise Supplementary Product Disclosure Statement (including May PDS)
Issue date: 23 October 2009

 2009 Zurich FutureWise Product Disclosure Statement
Issue date: 11 December 2009

 2010 Zurich FutureWise Product Disclosure Statement
Issue date: 23 April 2010

 2011 Zurich FutureWise Product Disclosure Statement
Issue date: 21 May 2011

 2012 Zurich FutureWise Product Disclosure Statement
Issue date: 12 May 2012

 2013 Zurich FutureWise Product Disclosure Statement
Issue date: 8 June 2013

 2014 Zurich FutureWise Product Disclosure Statement
Issue date: 7 June 2014

 2014 Zurich FutureWise Product Disclosure Statement
Issue date: 17 November 2014

 2014 Zurich FutureWise Supplementary Product Disclosure Statement
Issue date: 17 July 2014

 2016 Zurich FutureWise Product Disclosure Statement (including Insurance-only Division Membership PDS)
Issue date: 1 October 2016

 2016 Zurich FutureWise and Zurich Insurance-only Superannuation Plan PDS
Zurich FutureWise PDS issue date: 1 October 2016; Zurich Insurance-only Superannuation Plan PDS issue date: 18 December 2017

 2017 Zurich Insurance-only Superannuation Plan PDS
Issue date: 18 December 2017

 Update to the Zurich Insurance-only Superannuation Plan PDS - Issue date: 18 December 2017

 2016 Zurich FutureWise and Zurich Insurance-only Superannuation Plan PDS
Zurich FutureWise PDS issue date: 1 October 2016; Zurich Insurance-only Superannuation Plan PDS issue date: 12 March 2018

 2018 Zurich Insurance-only Superannuation Plan PDS
Issue date:12 March 2018

 2019 Zurich FutureWise Supplementary Product Disclosure Statement
Issue date: 27 May 2019

 2005 Zurich Super Protector Product Disclosure Statement
Issue date: 24 October 2005

 2006 Zurich Super Protector Product Disclosure Statement
Issue date: 15 May 2006

 2007 Zurich Super Protector Product Disclosure Statement
Issue date: 9 November 2007

 2009 Zurich Super Protector Product Disclosure Statement
Issue date: 15 May 2009

 2010 Zurich Super Protector Product Disclosure Statement
Issue date: 23 April 2010

Policies for insurance obtained through the Macquarie Superannuation Plan between 1999 and 2008 (excluding Super Protector and FutureWise)

 2011 Zurich Group Income Protection Contract - Superannuation Insurance
Issue date: 21 May 2011

 2011 Zurich Group Life Contract - Superannuation Insurance
Issue date: 21 May 2011

Prior to 1 March 2011, the Optional Protection Benefits offered under the Zurich Superannuation Plan (ZSP) were outlined in the ZSP PDS.

 2011 Zurich Superannuation Plan - Optional Protection Benefits Information Booklet
Issue date: 11 March 2011

 2012 Zurich Superannuation Plan - Optional Protection Benefits Information Booklet
Issue date: 1 March 2012

 2012 Zurich Superannuation Plan - Optional Protection Benefits Information Booklet
Issue date: 22 June 2012

 2013 Zurich Superannuation Plan - Optional Protection Benefits Information Booklet
Issue date: 1 July 2013

 2014 Zurich Superannuation Plan - Optional Protection Benefits Information Booklet
Issue date: 1 March 2014

 2015 Zurich Superannuation Plan - Optional Protection Benefits Information Booklet
Issue date: 21 December 2015

 Zurich Superannuation Plan Optional Protection Benefits Information Booklet (including Policy Conditions)
Issue date: 15 May 2017

 2019 Zurich Superannuation Plan Optional Protection Benefits
Issue date: 1 July 2019

 2021 Zurich Superannuation Plan Optional Protection Benefits
Issue date: 29 March 2021