Life Insurance for Firefighters

Find out whether you can be covered as a firefighter and compare life insurance policies through Savvy today.

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, updated on July 19th, 2023       

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We’ve partnered with Compare Club to bring you a range of life insurance policies to help you compare them side by side.

Firefighting is a very noble profession, with plenty of risks involved as part of the job. Whether you’re employed full-time or are a volunteer firefighter, knowing that your loved ones can be taken care of financially can give you greater peace of mind, which you can get through an appropriate life insurance policy.

Comparing life insurance plans through Savvy is quick and simple. You’ll be able to consider a variety of offers from some of Australia's top insurers side-by-side to help you determine whether you can access the coverage you’re looking for and which policy may be best for you. Get started with a free online quote through us today.

Can I purchase life insurance as a firefighter?

Whether you can purchase life insurance as a firefighter will depend on your insurer’s terms and conditions. Providers will typically grade different occupations based on the level of risk they pose, with firefighting often among the riskiest. As such, many insurers will deny life insurance applications made by firefighters. Medical professionals such as dentists, doctors and nurses and truck drivers are among those considered high-risk, but cover is often more readily available to these professions.

However, this isn’t the case across the board. There may be insurers in the market who are able to offer policies to full-time or volunteer firefighters under certain conditions, such as with significant loadings or exclusions attached.

If you’re unsure about whether you can be covered, it’s worth filling out a free, no-obligation online quote through Savvy so you can compare any available offers based on your profile. Once you’ve done this, you can speak to a life insurance expert who can talk you through what your options may be.

What types of life insurance may be available to firefighters in Australia?

If your profile is accepted by your insurer, there are four types of life insurance which you may be able to choose from. These are:

  • Life cover: this is the most common form of life insurance, which can pay out a lump sum to your beneficiaries in the event of your death or terminal illness diagnosis. This payout, which has no defined upper limit, can provide financial support for your loved ones to cover expenses such as funeral costs, outstanding debts and ongoing living expenses.
  • Total and permanent disability (TPD) cover: this type of insurance can pay out a lump sum of up to $3 million to $5 million if you become permanently disabled due to a covered illness or injury and are unable to work again. This can apply either to your current position or any position suitable for your experience, education and training (known as Own and Any Occupation, respectively).
  • Trauma cover: this type of insurance can pay out a lump sum of up to $2 million if you’re diagnosed with a critical illness or suffer a major injury, such as a heart attack, cancer or severe head trauma.
  • Income protection cover: this type of insurance can provide an ongoing benefit worth up to 70% of your income (subject to your insurer’s terms and conditions) if you’re unable to return to work for an extended period due to injury or illness.

All coverage for these types of insurance will be subject to your insurer’s discretion and terms and conditions, so it’s important to be across the fine print before you buy your policy if you’re eligible to purchase one.

Types of life insurance

Why compare life insurance through Savvy?

Frequently asked questions about life insurance for firefighters

What other factors can affect the cost of life insurance?

There are multiple factors affecting the cost of your life insurance policy aside from your occupation. These include:

  • Age
  • Health status and any pre-existing conditions
  • Family medical history
  • Type of policy purchased
  • Covered amount
  • Smoking status
Will I be able to buy life insurance if I switch from firefighting to a different job?

Your eligibility for coverage in your new job will depend on the level of risk your new job is deemed to pose. For instance, if you’re switching firefighting for an office job, you’re more likely to be approved for coverage at a more affordable cost.

How do I buy life insurance through Savvy?

Buying life insurance through Savvy is simple. All you’ll need to do is fill out a simple online form with information about yourself and the type of cover you’re after. Once you’ve done that, you can compare any offers available from our panel of trusted insurers, after which you can schedule a call back from a life insurance expert to discuss your options with you further. If you satisfy your insurer’s eligibility criteria, you can go ahead and purchase your policy.

Can I access life insurance through my superannuation as a firefighter?

Life and TPD cover through superannuation are usually automatic, so these may be an option for you if you don’t qualify for coverage elsewhere. However, it’s important to check with your super fund to determine whether you can still be covered if you aren’t sure.

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Disclaimer:

Savvy is partnered with Compare Club Australia Pty Ltd (AFS representative number 001279036) of Alternative Media Pty Ltd (AFS License number 486326) to provide readers with a variety of life insurance policies to compare. Savvy earns a commission from Compare Club each time a customer buys a life insurance policy via our website. We don’t arrange for products to be purchased from these brands directly, as all purchases are conducted via Compare Club.

Savvy does not compare all life insurance policies or providers currently operating in the market. Any advice presented above or on other pages is general in nature and doesn’t consider your personal or business objectives, needs or finances. It’s always important to consider whether advice is suitable for you before purchasing an insurance policy.

For any further information on the variety of insurers compared by Compare Club or how their business works, you can read their Financial Services Guide.