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Industry standards and guidelines


What is the Life Insurance Code of Practice?

The Life Insurance Code of Practice (the Code) is a series of mandatory customer service standards that all life insurers need to comply with. These standards cover sales and marketing practices, underwriting and claims and are designed to protect you.

Why is the Life Insurance Code of Practice important?

A contract of insurance is based on the principle of good faith which requires both the insurer and the customer to act honestly and fairly towards each other, and for the insurer to have regard for the customers’ interests. The Code sets out the life insurance industry's key commitments and obligations to customers.

Key Code Promises

  1. We will be honest, fair, respectful, transparent, and timely when we communicate with you, and we will use plain language unless medical or other technical terminology is needed.
  2. We will ensure our staff and Authorised Representatives use appropriate sales and retention practices.
  3. We will offer extra support if you have trouble with the process of buying insurance or claiming.
  4. If we find that a sale was made using unacceptable sales practices, we will fix it, for example by issuing a refund or replacement policy.
  5. When you make a claim, we will explain the process and keep you informed about our progress assessing it.
  6. We will decide on your claim within the Code’s timeframes. But if we cannot, we will explain why and tell you how to make a Complaint.
  7. If we decline your claim, we will explain why in writing and let you know what to do if you disagree.
  8. We will restrict the use of investigators and Surveillance to preserve your right to privacy.
  9. The independent Life Code Compliance Committee (Life CCC) will monitor our compliance with the Code.
  10. We will be accountable for Code requirements, and the Life CCC can sanction us.

These promises are embedded in our processes and policies to deliver the high standards of customer service specified by the Code.

You can read the Code or find out more about it on the Council of Australian Life Insurers (CALI) website. CALI has also developed a Consumer guide to Life Insurance Law and Life Insurance Premiums Fact Sheet.

The Life Code Compliance Committee (Life CCC)

The Life CCC is an independent body established to monitor compliance with the Code. Its aim is to ensure consistent and high-quality service standards are provided to customers by the life insurance industry. The Life CCC enforces the Code by monitoring compliance, investigating Code breaches and imposing sanctions where appropriate.

Insuranceline’s commitment to the Code of Practice

Our Life Insurance policies are issued by TAL, who played a key role in creating the Code. We are committed to delivering the best possible customer service standards. We will continue to look for ways to raise the standards of customer service now and over the years to come.

If you feel we have breached the Code, you can make a complaint here.

Download a full version of the Code.

Backed by TAL

^The 5% discount offer is only available to customers who take out a quote and new Insuranceline Life Insurance, Income Protection Insurance or Funeral Insurance policy between 1 August – 31 October 2024. The 5% discount will be automatically applied to your Insuranceline Life Insurance, Income Protection Insurance or Funeral Insurance premium for the life of the policy.

Insuranceline Win 1 of 5 $1000 Visa Cards (Competition): Competition closed on 31st of July 2024. Winners will be sent an email and will be attempted to be notified via phone within two (2) business days of the Prize Draw and Time, as listed in the table in Condition 13 of the full terms and conditions and published on https://www.insuranceline.com.au/campaigns/competition-terms. Authorised under NSW Permit Number NTP/09255, ACT TP24/00483, & SA Licence No. T24/388.

**Bonus 10% more cover is calculated on the fifth anniversary from the Policy Commencement Date. Each adult life insured will have an extra 10% of the average Funeral Insurance Cover amount held during the previous five years added to their Funeral Insurance benefit. Terms and conditions apply. Refer to the PDS for more information.

#Claims paid figures relate to all Insuranceline life insurance policies in the 2021 financial reporting year (1 April2021 to 31 March 2022). All claims on Insuranceline policies are assessed against the relevant policy terms and conditions. These terms and conditions, as well an explanation of the claims process, can be found in the applicable Product Disclosure Statement. Claims are administered and settled by the insurer, TAL Life Limited.

***Insuranceline is the longest standing provider of Funeral Insurance in Australia, based on: Strategic Insight, Actuaries & Researchers. Funeral Insurance means a policy with periodic premium payments that provides a lump sum to help pay for funeral and associated expenses when you die and excludes pre-paid Funeral Plans and Funeral Bonds.

The information provided on this website is general advice only which means it does not take into account your individual needs, objectives or financial situation. For this reason, you should consider whether it is appropriate for you, and before you decide to buy or to continue to hold an insurance product, you must read the relevant Combined Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and the Financial Services Guide (FSG). The PDS/FSG contains important information which will help you understand the product, including what's covered and what's not covered and to decide whether it is appropriate for you. The Target Market Determination (TMD) for the relevant product, where applicable, is also available.

If you are considering cancelling a policy you already hold in order to replace it with a new policy, make sure you read the terms and conditions of both policies before you make a decision. The cover terms may be different, you may lose benefits accrued under your existing policy, and waiting periods may apply to the new policy. Changes in your personal circumstances (such as your age, health, and employment) that have occurred since your existing policy was originally taken out may also affect your new policy. As your application for a new policy may not be accepted, and some policies may be unable to be reinstated after they have been cancelled, you should consider waiting until your new policy is confirmed before you cancel any existing cover.

Promoted by Insuranceline, a trading name of TAL Direct Pty Limited (of Level 16, 363 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000) ABN 39 084 666 017 AFSL 243260. TAL Life Limited ABN 70 050 109 450 AFSL 237848 issues the life insurance benefits. Hallmark General Insurance Company Ltd ABN 82 008 477 647 AFSL 243478 issues the Involuntary Unemployment Cover.

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