Life cover compared: terminal illness definitions and key facts across 11 Australian insurers

The short answer: life cover itself is the simplest insurance there is - every product on this page pays the sum insured when the insured person dies. The differences that matter sit around the edges, and the biggest one is the terminal illness benefit: every product pays the full amount early if you are certified as terminally ill, but the definitions differ on the prognosis window (nine products use 24 months; OneCare's base definition uses 12 months and TAL's uses less than 12), on who must certify, and on the conditions attached. Funeral advances range from $15,000 to $30,000, maximum cover from $5 million to uncapped, and expiry ages from 99 to 130. Every fact below is quoted or drawn directly from the insurer's PDS, cited by version and date.

This page was compiled by reading the current PDS of each product listed. Every quote is verbatim, 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.

What is a terminal illness benefit in life insurance?

A terminal illness benefit pays the full life cover amount before death if the insured person is medically certified as terminally ill under the policy's definition. It is an early payment of the death benefit, not an additional amount. Because the entire benefit turns on meeting the definition, the definition's details - how long the certified life expectancy must be, which doctors must certify it, and what role the insurer's own assessment plays - are the substance of the cover.

How do terminal illness definitions differ?

Three ways, and they are documented in each PDS:

• The prognosis window. Nine of the eleven products require certification that death is likely within 24 months. Zurich (OnePath) OneCare's base definition uses 12 months - though its Extended Terminal Medical Condition feature, standard on the product, provides a 24-month pathway if the certifying practitioners also confirm that standard treatment protocols are not expected to extend life expectancy beyond 24 months. TAL's definition uses a life expectancy of less than 12 months, having regard to current or reasonably expected treatment; where TAL cover sits inside super, the superannuation law test (24 months, two practitioners) also applies.
• Who certifies. ClearView, MetLife and NobleOak Direct always require two medical practitioners, at least one a specialist. TAL requires certification by two treating practitioners at claim time. AIA, Futura and OneCare (outside super) accept one specialist's opinion; NEOS's definition requires one specialist plus the insurer's agreement (its claim process asks for two practitioners' certifications); Encompass and Acenda centre on the treating specialist - and Zurich Wealth Protection on the treating medical practitioner - with an insurer-requested specialist second opinion where required. For any cover inside super, all products end up requiring two practitioners, because superannuation law's terminal medical condition does.
• Conditions inside the definition. Several definitions run the 24-month window from different start points - diagnosis (AIA), certification (Futura, NobleOak Direct), or the date the insurer is notified in writing (Encompass, Acenda). ClearView's definition requires that death is expected within 24 months while adhering to standard treatment protocols; MetLife's benefit is payable at the date of the second certification.

Summary: life cover across the eleven products

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

The 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".

ClearView ClearChoice (ClearView ClearChoice Combined PDS (13 May 2024), as amended by PDS updates of 5 June 2025 and 26 April 2026)

Life Cover cover terms, page 36 of 122: "If you die or are diagnosed with a terminal illness, we will pay the Life Cover benefit amount stated on your policy certificate (including any increases or decreases that have been made under the terms of the policy). Terminal illness means You are certified by two medical practitioners as suffering from a sickness which is incurable and for which: • your condition has progressed to a point where your death is medically expected to occur within 24 months while adhering to standard treatment protocols available at the date of certification, and • both of the certificates are current, and at least one of the medical practitioners must be an appropriate medical specialist in your condition approved by us at the time of claim, acting reasonably." Dictionary definition, page 122 of 122 (near-identical wording, also at page 116; the only difference is the word "relevant"): "Terminal illness/terminally ill You are certified by two medical practitioners as suffering from a sickness which is incurable and for which: • your condition has progressed to a point where your death is medically expected to occur within 24 months while adhering to relevant standard treatment protocols available at the date of certification, and • both of the certificates are current, and at least one of the medical practitioners must be an appropriate medical specialist in your condition approved by us at the time of claim, acting reasonably." Related dictionary term: "Appropriate medical specialist Means a medical practitioner who is a fellow of the relevant college that specialises in the insured person's sickness or injury, registered in Australia (or an equivalent body in another country acceptable to us, acting reasonably)." Inside-super variant: NOT STATED as a separate policy definition - the same definition applies. However, for cover held in ClearView ClearChoice Super the PDS states (pages 99-100): "Since the cover is held in a superannuation fund, not only must you meet the policy terms, the Trustee must confirm that you meet a condition of release as defined in the SIS Act in order to access any benefit that has been paid as a result of a claim. The relevant SIS Act conditions of release are death, terminal medical condition, temporary incapacity and permanent incapacity." It also states: "Terminal illness benefit If a lump sum benefit for terminal illness becomes payable under a ClearView ClearChoice Super policy, the benefit will be tax free."

Zurich (OnePath) OneCare (OneCare PDS (1 October 2025))

From the definitions section (approx. p.108): "Terminal illness/Terminally ill (not applicable to Trauma Cover or Child Cover) means: • for a policy held outside super (excluding Extra Care Cover): an illness that, in the opinion of an appropriate specialist, is likely to lead to the death of the life insured within 12 months from the date that the opinion is provided to us • Extra Care Cover held outside super: the life insured must survive without life support for eight days after an appropriate specialist diagnoses that the illness is likely to lead to the death of the life insured within 12 months from the date that the opinion is provided and that 12 month period has not ended • for a policy held through super (excluding Extra Care Cover): an illness that, in the opinion of two registered medical practitioners with at least one being an appropriate specialist in the area related to the illness is likely to lead to the death of the life insured within 12 months from the date the opinion was given, and for each opinion that 12 month period has not ended • Extra Care Cover held through super: the life insured must survive without life support for eight days after diagnosis that the illness in the opinion of two registered medical practitioners with at least one being an appropriate specialist in the area related to the illness is likely to lead to the death of the life insured within 12 months from the date of the opinion and for each opinion that 12 month period has not ended." RELATED STANDARD FEATURE (p.26, Non Super and Super) - Extended Terminal Medical Condition: "Extended Terminal Medical Condition means two registered medical practitioners with at least one being an appropriate specialist, have certified, jointly or separately, by providing supporting medical evidence, that the life insured suffers from an illness, or has incurred an injury, that: • is likely to result in the life insured's death within 24 months of the date of certification, and • the illness or injury has progressed to a point where the standard medical treatment protocols for that condition are not expected to extend the life insured's life expectancy beyond 24 months from the date of certification. For each of the certificates, the certification period for the terminal medical condition has not ended." Either the Terminal Illness Benefit or the Extended Terminal Medical Condition Benefit is paid (whichever first), not both. No separate notification deadline is stated as part of the definition - NOT STATED.

Zurich Wealth Protection (Zurich Wealth Protection PDS (1 November 2025))

"terminal illness means any condition caused by sickness or injury, where despite all reasonable medical treatment, the life insured is expected to live for no more than 24 months. Terminal illness must be confirmed and certified by both of the following: • a medical practitioner who is treating the condition and can provide supporting evidence of the condition, possible medical treatment and prognosis • if required by us, a specialist medical practitioner who is an expert in the condition. Extra certification is required if the policy is held in superannuation to comply with superannuation law. In this case: • two certifications are always required • the period of life expectancy certified by each of the two medical practitioners, must not have ended." [Definitions section, PDS page 101 per internal cross-reference; source-file lines 7915-7933]. Related benefit wording (Terminal illness benefit, PDS page 11): "We'll advance the death benefit if the life insured is diagnosed with a terminal illness. The amount we'll advance is the death benefit amount on the date the life insured's terminal illness is certified, even if we don't see the certifications until a later date."

TAL Accelerated Protection (TAL Accelerated Protection Combined PDS (12 December 2025))

Definitions section (Section 9, ~p.93-94): "Terminally Ill and Terminal Illness means an illness or condition where, after having regard to the current treatment or such treatment as the Life Insured may reasonably be expected to receive, the Life Insured has a life expectancy of less than 12 months. When Life Insurance is structured through superannuation, the Life Insured must also satisfy the SIS definition of Terminal Medical Condition." The SIS definition as set out in the PDS superannuation definitions (~p.96): "Terminal Medical Condition exists in relation to a member of a superannuation fund at a particular time if the following circumstances exist: • two registered medical practitioners have certified, jointly or separately, that the person suffers from an illness, or has incurred an injury, that is likely to result in the death of the person within a period (the certification period) that ends not more than 24 months after the date of the certification; • at least one of the registered medical practitioners is a specialist practicing in an area related to the illness or injury suffered by the person; • for each of the certificates, the certification period has not ended." Benefit clause (Section 2.1.1, p.37): "Terminal Illness Benefit - The Benefit Amount is payable when the Life Insured is diagnosed as Terminally Ill. If the Terminal Illness Benefit is paid, we will cancel any Attached or Linked Plans." Claim certification requirement (Section 3, ~p.72-73): "For Terminal Illness Benefit claims, two treating Medical Practitioners must certify the extent of the Sickness or Injury, one of which must be by the appropriate specialist Medical Practitioner treating the condition. The assessment process will include review of medical information regarding treatment and response to treatment."

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."

Encompass Protection (Encompass Protection PDS (26 September 2025))

"For insurance outside super, terminal illness means a sickness or injury that, even with appropriate medical treatment, in the opinion of the treating specialist, and where required, a further medical opinion from a specialist approved by us, is likely to lead to death within a period that ends no more than 24 months from the date we are notified in writing by the approved doctor. For insurance inside super, terminal illness means a sickness or injury that, even with appropriate medical treatment, in the opinion of two doctors, one of whom is a specialist approved by us, is likely to lead to death within a period that ends no more than 24 months from the date the doctors certify the condition ('the Certification Period'). We must be notified in writing of the terminal illness within the Certification Period." (Definitions, p. 76.)

NEOS Protection (NEOS Protection PDS (6 December 2024))

"Terminal illness and terminally ill - Means that: • a medical practitioner who is a specialist practising in an area related to the relevant illness or injury certifies that you suffer from an illness, or have incurred an injury, that is likely to result in your death within 24 months of certification; regardless of any reasonable medical treatment that may be undertaken; and • after consideration of the medical evidence, we (acting reasonably) agree with that prognosis. When Life Cover is structured inside superannuation, you must also satisfy the SIS definition of Terminal Medical Condition (see below under Superannuation Definitions)." (General definitions, p. 71; the SIS definition - two registered medical practitioners certifying jointly or separately, at least one a specialist practising in a related area, within a certification period ending not more than 24 months after certification - is reproduced at p. 74.)

NobleOak Premium Life Direct (NobleOak Premium Life Direct PDS (15 December 2024))

Life Cover - Terminal Illness Benefit (p.13): "If you become terminally ill, we'll advance the Death Benefit. To be eligible: Two Medical Practitioners (at least one being a Specialist Medical Practitioner in an area related to your Sickness or Injury) must certify (either in two individual reports or one joint report) that you suffer from a Sickness or Injury which is likely to result in death within 24 months of the most recent certification. Where certification is issued by way of individual reports from two separate Medical Practitioners, both certifications must include diagnosis and life expectancy. The date of certification shall be taken to be the date of the most recent certification." | Inside-super variant: NOT STATED - the PDS states no separate terminal illness definition for Trustee Members (super) under Life Cover. | A separate "Terminal Illness" definition also appears in the Trauma Insurance Medical Definitions Dictionary (p.40, as an Other Trauma Event): "means that two Medical Practitioners (one of which is a specialist practising in an area related to the illness or injury suffered by the Life Insured) must certify (either in two individual reports or one joint report) that the Life Insured suffers from an illness, or has incurred an injury, that is likely to result in death of the Life Insured within a period that ends not more than 24 months after the date of certification. Where certification is issued by way of individual reports from two separate Medical Practitioners, both certifications must include diagnosis and life expectancy. The date of certification shall be taken to be the date of the most recent certification."

Futura Protection (Futura Protection PDS (1 October 2025))

Definitions section, "Terminal illness and terminally ill" (PDS pp. 89-90): "Means a medical practitioner who is a specialist practising in a therapeutic area related to the relevant illness or injury certifies that you suffered from an illness, or have incurred an injury, that is likely to result in your death within 24 months of certification regardless of any reasonable medical treatment that may be undertaken. When Life Cover is structured inside super, to be considered terminally ill you must also satisfy the SIS definition of terminal medical condition (see below under Superannuation definitions)." Inside-super SIS variant, "Terminal medical condition" (Superannuation definitions, PDS p. 92): "Means: two medical practitioners have certified, jointly or separately, that you suffer from an illness, or have incurred an injury, that is likely to result in your death within a period (the certification period) that ends not more than 24 months after the date of the certification; at least one of the medical practitioners is a specialist practicing in an area related to the illness or injury suffered by you; and for each of the certificates, the certification period has not ended." Benefit wording, Terminal Illness Benefit, ORDINARY SUPER (PDS p. 18): "If you're diagnosed with a terminal illness while your Life Cover is in place, we'll pay your Life Cover sum insured."

Acenda Insurance / Acenda Insurance (Super) (Acenda Insurance & Acenda Insurance (Super) PDS (27 September 2025), as supplemented by SPDS (11 April 2026))

Glossary definition (PDS p. 117): "Terminal Illness - For insurance outside super, Terminal Illness means an illness that, even with appropriate medical treatment, in the opinion of the treating Specialist, and where required, a further medical opinion from a Specialist approved by us, is likely to lead to death within a period that ends no more than 24 months from the date we are notified in writing by the approved Doctor. For insurance inside super, Terminal Illness means an illness that, even with appropriate medical treatment, in the opinion of two Doctors, one of whom is a Specialist approved by us, is likely to lead to death within a period that ends no more than 24 months from the date the Doctors certify the condition ('the Certification Period'). We must be notified in writing of the Terminal Illness within the Certification Period." | Terminal Illness Benefit wording (PDS p. 68): "If you are diagnosed as having a Terminal Illness while this Life Cover insurance is in force, we will pay the Terminal Illness Benefit. You do not have to return to Acenda the Terminal Illness Benefit paid if you survive the 24 month period. For insurance outside super, Terminal Illness means an illness that, even with appropriate medical treatment, in the opinion of the treating Specialist, and where required, a further medical opinion from a Specialist approved by us, is likely to lead to death within a period that ends no more than 24 months from the date we are notified in writing by the approved Specialist. For insurance inside super, Terminal Illness means an illness that, even with appropriate medical treatment, in the opinion of two Doctors, one of whom is a Specialist approved by us, is likely to lead to death within a period that ends no more than 24 months from the date the Doctors certify the condition ('the Certification Period'). Please notify us in writing of the Terminal Illness within the Certification Period." Note: the glossary (p. 117) ends the outside-super limb with "notified in writing by the approved Doctor" while the benefit section (p. 68) says "notified in writing by the approved Specialist" - both wordings appear in the PDS. Related glossary terms: "Specialist Means a Doctor who is an appropriate specialist in a relevant medical field." (p. 117); Doctor is defined on p. 114 (registered medical practitioner in Australia or equivalent; excludes you, your business partner, immediate family).

Frequently asked questions

Does life insurance pay out before death?

Yes - every product compared on this page includes a terminal illness benefit that pays the full life cover amount early if the insured person is certified as terminally ill under the policy's definition. The definitions differ on the certified life-expectancy window (24 months for nine products; 12 months for OneCare's base definition; less than 12 months for TAL), who must certify, and attached conditions. For cover inside super, release of the money also depends on superannuation law's terminal medical condition.

How long is the terminal illness benefit window?

Nine of the eleven products use 24 months: doctors must certify that death is likely within 24 months despite treatment. OneCare's base definition uses 12 months, with a 24-month pathway under its standard Extended Terminal Medical Condition feature; TAL's uses a life expectancy of less than 12 months. The start point of the window also differs - diagnosis, certification, or written notification to the insurer, depending on the product.

How many doctors have to certify a terminal illness claim?

It depends on the product and structure. Outside super: ClearView, MetLife and NobleOak Direct always require two practitioners (at least one specialist); TAL requires two treating practitioners at claim; AIA, Futura and OneCare accept one specialist; NEOS's definition requires one specialist plus the insurer's agreement (two certifications at claim); Encompass and Acenda centre on the treating specialist - and Zurich Wealth Protection on the treating medical practitioner - with an insurer-requested specialist second opinion where required. Inside super, all products require two practitioners because superannuation law's terminal medical condition does.

What is a funeral advancement benefit?

An early advance of part of the death benefit, paid quickly on proof of death so the family can meet immediate costs while the main claim is assessed. Among these products it ranges from $15,000 (Zurich Wealth Protection) to $30,000 (MetLife), with most at $20,000-$25,000. In every product where availability is stated, the advance applies only to cover held outside super. It is deducted from, not added to, the death benefit.

Is there a suicide exclusion on life insurance?

Yes - all eleven products exclude death by suicide within 13 months of the cover starting, being reinstated, or being increased (for the increased amount only); several extend the exclusion to attempted suicide or intentional self-inflicted acts. Most products state a conditional waiver for replacement cover - the conditions vary by product, so check the PDS of both the old and new policies before replacing cover.

What is the maximum life cover you can get?

It varies widely: NEOS states $5 million, Encompass $7 million, Futura $15 million, ClearView $20 million, NobleOak Direct $25 million ($500,000 for applications at ages 70-74), while AIA, MetLife, OneCare and Zurich Wealth Protection state no fixed maximum (MetLife notes financial-need limits may apply) and TAL states "any financially justifiable amount". Acenda states no general maximum, with special terms possibly applying above $15 million.

When does life cover end?

Outside super, most products end at the policy anniversary at or after age 99 or 100 - OneCare and MetLife continue to age 130. Inside super, cover typically ends at 74-75, usually with an option to convert and continue outside super.

How current is this comparison?

Every fact and quote on this page was extracted from the insurer's current PDS (versions listed below) on 16 August 2026. Insurers reissue PDS documents regularly, and the definition that applies to an individual policy is the one in its policy schedule. Always obtain the current PDS from the insurer before making decisions.

Source documents

AIA Priority Protection PDS v32 (prepared 9 November 2025) - ClearView ClearChoice Combined PDS (13 May 2024), as amended by PDS updates of 5 June 2025 and 26 April 2026 - OneCare PDS (1 October 2025) - Zurich Wealth Protection PDS (1 November 2025) - TAL Accelerated Protection Combined PDS (12 December 2025) - MetLife Protect Combined PDS (prepared 30 June 2024), as supplemented by SPDS (2 February 2025) - Encompass Protection PDS (26 September 2025) - NEOS Protection PDS (6 December 2024) - NobleOak Premium Life Direct PDS (15 December 2024) - Futura Protection PDS (1 October 2025) - Acenda Insurance & Acenda Insurance (Super) PDS (27 September 2025), as supplemented by SPDS (11 April 2026)

Related: TPD definitions compared across the same eleven insurers.

Last reviewed: 2026-08-16.

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

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