AIA vs MetLife: life cover and TPD definitions side by side

Published: 2026-09-29 · Last reviewed: 2026-08-16 · PDS versions as cited below.

This page places the PDS facts for AIA Priority Protection and MetLife Protect side by side: the terminal illness definition, funeral and expenses advances, maximum cover and when cover ends, then the TPD definitions each product offers. Every fact and quote comes from the same PDS extracts as our comparisons of life cover and TPD definitions across 11 insurers, with the PDS version and date cited.

Nothing on this page ranks or recommends any product - which product suits a person depends on their circumstances, their health at application, and how the cover is structured.

The facts are as at 16 August 2026, when the PDS extracts were last reviewed. Insurers reissue PDS documents regularly, and the definition that applies to an individual policy is the one in its policy schedule.

Life cover, side by side

All facts from the PDS versions listed at the bottom of this page. Table current as at 16 August 2026.

TPD, side by side

All facts from the PDS versions listed at the bottom of this page. Table current as at 16 August 2026.

Terminal illness definitions, in each insurer's own words

The extracts below quote each product's terminal illness definition from the cited PDS. They are extracts of the operative wording, not the complete policy terms. Always read the full PDS.

AIA Priority Protection (AIA Priority Protection PDS v32 (prepared 9 November 2025))

Section 2.1.2 (page 30): "If you are diagnosed with a Terminal Illness we will pay a lump sum equal to the Life Cover Sum Insured. Terminal Illness means the diagnosis of an illness which, in the reasonable opinion of an appropriate specialist Medical Practitioner, is likely to result in you passing away within 24 months of the diagnosis regardless of any treatment that may be undertaken. In addition to the above requirements, under a Superannuation Plan a condition will only constitute a Terminal Illness where two Medical Practitioners, one of whom must be a specialist practising in an area related to the condition, must certify in their reasonable opinion that the condition is likely to result in you passing away within 24 months of the date of the certificate (certification period) and for each of the certificates, the certification period must not have ended." The Section 12 Definitions entry (page 221) repeats this word-for-word, with the superannuation paragraph headed "Inside Super".

MetLife Protect (MetLife Protect Combined PDS (prepared 30 June 2024), as supplemented by SPDS (2 February 2025))

GLOSSARY DEFINITION (section 10 definitions, PDS p.152): "Terminal Illness - Means any Illness which is likely to lead to death within 24 months despite reasonable, maximal medical treatment. The Illness must be certified by two independent Medical Practitioners, one of whom is a Medical Specialist, and with each Medical Practitioner certifying that the Illness is likely to result in death within 24 months. For each of the certificates, the certification period must not have expired. The definition is met when the second certificate is received." BENEFIT CLAUSE (Policy Terms s2.1.2 "Life Cover - Terminal Illness Benefit", p.101-102): "We will pay the full Life Cover Amount as an advance of the Death Benefit if the Life Insured has a Terminal Illness. We will calculate the Life Cover Amount to be paid as at the date of the second certification." PDS SUMMARY WORDING (Table 9, p.34): "Covers a Terminal Illness likely to result in death of the Life Insured within 24 months. The Illness must be certified by two independent Medical Practitioners, one of whom is a Medical Specialist, and with each Medical Practitioner certifying that the Illness is likely to result in death within 24 months. We will use the date of second certification to calculate the Life Cover Amount to be paid." INSIDE-SUPER VARIANT (conditions of release, "Insurance in MetLife Protect Super", p.88): benefits inside super are payable consistent with superannuation conditions of release, summarised as: "Terminal medical condition: means two registered medical practitioners have certified, jointly or separately, that a member is suffering an Illness, or has incurred an Injury that is likely to result in their death within 24 months from the date of the last certification. At least one of the medical practitioners must be a specialist practicing in an area related to the Illness or Injury suffered by the member. For each of the certificates, the certification period must be current."

TPD definitions, in each insurer's own words

The extracts below quote the core operative wording of each product's own-occupation definition from the cited PDS. They are extracts, not the complete policy terms - each definition also contains the alternative limbs summarised above, and related defined terms. Always read the full PDS.

AIA Priority Protection (PDS v32, prepared 9 November 2025)

…solely because of Injury or Sickness • you have been absent from work in your Own Occupation and have not worked for an uninterrupted period of at least three consecutive months from the Date of Disablement, and • you attend a specialist Medical Practitioner and have undergone all reasonable and usual treatment and rehabilitation… and • at the end of the period of three months, reasonable consideration of all relevant medical and other evidence confirm that you have become incapacitated to such an extent as to render you unlikely ever to engage in your Own Occupation…

MetLife Protect - Own Occupation Option (PDS 30 June 2024, as supplemented 2 February 2025)

We will pay the full TPD Cover Amount if the Life Insured: • has been absent from their occupation for at least three consecutive months, solely due to Illness or Injury; and • is following the advice of their Medical Practitioner and is undergoing all reasonable rehabilitation and treatment; and • does not meet the criteria for a benefit to be paid under Standard TPD Cover…; and • is unlikely ever to be able to work in their Own Occupation again, solely due to their Illness or Injury.

Frequently asked questions

What is the terminal illness window for AIA Priority Protection?

24 months from diagnosis. Source: AIA Priority Protection PDS v32 (prepared 9 November 2025).

Which TPD definitions does AIA Priority Protection offer?

Own Occ; Any Occ; Universal (Occ. Cat. E); Home Duties. Source: AIA Priority Protection PDS v32 (prepared 9 November 2025).

What is the terminal illness window for MetLife Protect?

24 months. Source: MetLife Protect Combined PDS (prepared 30 June 2024), as supplemented by SPDS (2 February 2025).

Which TPD definitions does MetLife Protect offer?

Standard TPD (Any Occ + Limited Earnings + Home Duties + General Disability + Loss of Limbs/Sight); Own Occ as extra-cost Option. Source: MetLife Protect Combined PDS (prepared 30 June 2024), as supplemented by SPDS (2 February 2025).

Source documents

• AIA Priority Protection: AIA Priority Protection PDS v32 (prepared 9 November 2025)
• MetLife Protect: MetLife Protect Combined PDS (prepared 30 June 2024), as supplemented by SPDS (2 February 2025)

Related

• Life cover compared across 11 insurers
• TPD definitions compared across 11 insurers
• AIA Priority Protection
• MetLife Protect
• TAL vs Zurich
• TAL vs AIA
• Zurich vs OnePath

Written by Sam Yakoubian, Authorised Representative 001318312 of Life Plan FP Australia Pty Ltd, AFSL 277681.

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