Offering financial peace-of-mind to Australians around risk of COVID-19 vaccine side-effects

Zurich Life & Investments and OnePath Life are including bespoke COVID-19 vaccination protection into eligible life insurance policies, at no extra cost. Should any Zurich or OnePath Life insured customer suffer a serious side effect from an approved COVID-19 vaccination they will be eligible for a payment. This is on top of the payment they may be eligible to receive under the terms of their policy.

They, or their beneficiaries, will be eligible for up to an additional $50,000 one-off payment on top of their death or total & permanent disability (TPD) benefit should they die or be permanently disabled because of the vaccine. Income protection policyholders may also be eligible for payment during their standard waiting period, should they be hospitalised.

In an Australian first, the additional cover will be provided at no extra cost across Zurich and OnePath’s range of death, income protection and TPD.  This includes policies accessed via a financial adviser (Zurich Wealth Protection, Zurich Active, OneCare), sold directly via a distribution partner or through an employer-based group insurance or our partner superannuation funds.

Death or disability arising from COVID-19 infection is already covered within Zurich and OnePath Life policies.

Dr Sally Phillips, Chief Product and Proposition Officer at Zurich LiveWell, said, “Our intention is to provide extra peace-of-mind for Australians as they weigh up the benefits and risks of having the COVID-19 vaccine, at a time when it is important for as many of us as possible to come forward for vaccination.

“While medical evidence indicates the likelihood of vaccine complications is extremely low, we understand that some people are concerned about the risk of a serious adverse reaction. This initiative is a small way we can reassure our customers and confirm their eligibility for financial support through their Zurich or OnePath life insurance policy in the rare instance they may suffer a serious side effect.”

Darren Wickham, Head of Group Insurance at Zurich, said, “We felt it was important to offer this additional COVID-19 vaccination coverage within our group insurance portfolio, as well as via our retail and direct lines, given that so many Australians access life insurance through their superannuation. It is a benefit that tops up the amount of insurance coverage that people have within their superannuation, where Zurich / OnePath is the insurance provider.

“This initiative is another expression of our support for COVID-19 vaccination and a way we can play a part in reassuring the community.”

Product eligibility

• Customers need to be the insured person under an eligible Zurich or OnePath life insurance policy, for death, income protection or TPD.
• The offer is available from 1 September - 31 December 2021.  Eligible customers must have an in-force policy during this period and at the time they are vaccinated.
• Death or disability must occur within 90 days of receiving the COVID-19 vaccination.
• Claims must be lodged by 31 December 2022.
• For income protection, the person must be hospitalised for three days or more.
• The payment would be capped at $50,000 across TPD, IP and death across Zurich or OnePath Life-held policies.
• More details can be found on the Zurich website.

ENDS