Insurance options

Insurance cover is there to help protect you and your family if something unexpected happens. At HESTA, we offer competitive Death (including Terminal Illness), Total and Permanent Disablement (TPD), and Income Protection (IP) cover.

why get insurance through super?

Insurance through super gives you more than just cover — it comes with benefits that make a real difference.

Competitive fees

We buy our insurance in bulk and pass on any insurance tax savings we get back to our members. This means getting insurance through us is generally cheaper than cover outside your super.

Fees for your cover are automatically deducted from your HESTA super account. So, you don’t need to worry about remembering to pay them.

Support if you need it

We know that making a claim can be stressful, especially during a difficult time. If you need to make an insurance claim, we’ll support you through the process.

Our team is here to guide you through the process step by step.

Fees waived on employer-approved parental leave

Insurance fees may be waived for up to 12 months if you take employer-approved parental leave (24 months if your baby is born before 37 weeks). So more may stay in your super when you need it most.

types of cover

We know that everyone’s needs are different. That’s why we offer different types of cover you can mix and match to suit your needs.

Income Protection (IP) cover

IP Cover provides a monthly payment, called a benefit, if you’re ill or injured and can’t work.

Monthly benefit payment, paid directly to you
Cover period for up to 2 years, 5 years, to age 60 or 67 (depending on your cover)
Monthly payments capped at 85% of your pre-disability income
Choose your waiting period, benefit payment period, and age when your cover ends
Waiting period of 90 days. You can apply to reduce it to 30 or 60 days
Insurance fees waived for 12 months if you take employer-approved parental leave. If your baby is born early (before 37 weeks), this waiver period doubles to 24 months.

Income Protection Cover

Total and Permanent Disablement (TPD) Cover

TPD Cover pays a lump sum benefit if a serious illness or injury means you’re unlikely to work again.

Lump-sum payment into your super account, then released to you
Your cover stays active until you turn 70, as long as you remain eligible
Choose from unit-based or fixed cover
You can apply for extra units of cover up to a maximum of $2 million*
Insurance fees waived for 12 months if you take employer-approved parental leave. If your baby is born early (before 37 weeks), this waiver period doubles to 24 months.

Total and Permanent Disablement Cover

Terminal Illness Cover

TI Cover is part of your Death Cover. If you’re diagnosed with a terminal illness, you may be able to access some or all of your Death Cover.

Lump-sum payment into your super account, then released to you as a tax-free lump sum.
Early access to your Death Cover while you’re still alive, if you’re eligible.
Your TI Cover is part of your Death Cover. You don’t need to pay extra or apply for it separately.
You may be able to access your super account balance even if you don’t have Death Cover, if you’re eligible.

Terminal Illness Cover

Death Cover

Death Cover pays a lump-sum payment, called a benefit, to your nominated beneficiaries or estate when you die.

Lump-sum payment, paid directly to your nominated beneficiaries or estate.
Cover stays active until you turn 75, as long as you remain eligible.
Choose from unit-based or fixed cover.
You can apply for extra units of cover up to a maximum of $3 million*.
Insurance fees waived for 12 months if you take employer-approved parental leave. If your baby is born early (before 37 weeks), this waiver period doubles to 24 months.

Death Cover

* Subject to the insurer’s approval

how do I know how much cover I need?

Working out the right level of insurance cover can feel overwhelming. We’ve got the tools and support to help you get started.

Calculate your insurance needs

Use the insurance cover calculator to find out how much insurance you might need. This handy tool compares your current cover to what you might need. It covers Death, TPD, and IP Cover.

Calculate your cover

Get help understanding insurance

If you need some guidance to figure out insurance cover to suit your needs, our team of advisers can help you over the phone or in person.

Make a time

manage your insurance

Check your cover

Not sure if you have insurance cover? You can easily view any cover you have in the Insurance section of your online account.

Log in to your online account >

Increase your cover

You can apply to increase your cover* at any time to better suit your needs, or if your circumstances change. There are two ways to increase your cover.

Anytime Voluntary Cover Offer

Voluntary Cover

HESTA members can apply for more cover. You can have up to a total of 6 units of Death Cover (including existing cover) and/or up to a total of 12 additional units of IP Cover. You’ll need to answer a few health questions to apply.

You’ll also need to choose:

a Benefit Payment Period of 2 or 5 years,
a Waiting Period of 60 or 90 days, and
a Cover Expiry Age of 60 or 67.

Apply through the AIA Insurance portal via your online account.

If you’re a HESTA Super or HESTA Personal Super member, you can apply for voluntary Death, TPD and IP cover. You can do this by completing the insurance cover application through your online account.

Applying to increase your cover may be subject to underwriting. Underwriting is the process insurers use to assess your insurance application. It helps them understand the level of risk you present, now and in the future, based on:

your medical history
your occupation and lifestyle, and
your financial situation.

When you apply for, or increase your insurance, you need to give full and honest information about your health. This gives the insurer the information they need, and ensures your cover is right for you. It also helps avoid issues if you ever need to make a claim.

Note: if you cancel your cover, insurance fees will stop and you won’t be able to claim for anything that happens after your cover ends.

Apply to increase your cover >

* Subject to the insurer’s approval

Transfer your cover

Already have Death, TPD or IP cover with another fund or insurer? You may be able to transfer it to HESTA. Once you transfer your cover, it will follow our terms, costs, and conditions, even if they’re different to your old policy. Any existing exclusions or restrictions will also still apply.

It’s a good idea to compare your current cover with what HESTA offers. This can help you decide if transferring is the right choice for you.

To apply, fill out the Insurance transfer form and return it to us. Don’t cancel your existing cover until your new cover is approved and has started.

Insurance transfer form (PDF) >

Supported workers

A supported worker is a person with a disability, brain injury, or similar condition. Their employer gives them extra help to do their tasks.

When super contributions are low, insurance fees can affect your balance. Supported workers, or their Power of Attorney, can reduce or cancel cover using the Supported workers insurance alterations form.

Supported workers insurance alterations form (PDF) >