Your eligibility and premium cost for life insurance depend on your specific police role and its risk classification.
Beyond basic life cover, consider TPD, income protection and trauma insurance, understanding their specific role restrictions.
Private life insurance is vital to cover all debts and expenses, often exceeding limited WorkCover benefits and work plans.
Police officers life insurance can give you peace of mind and financial security should something go wrong. You can also select how much you want to be covered for, so you know you'll be leaving your family with enough to pay off mortgages, loans and other debts.
Can police officers get life insurance?
Yes. But the type of life insurance you can get will depend on the type of police work you do and whether or not you are considered high-risk. Generally, though, life insurance is available to most police officers and shouldn't come with any special conditions.
That doesn't mean that your premiums won't be more expensive than other jobs, because being a police officer is considered to be more high-risk than other occupations. Your premiums will increase the more high-risk your job becomes.
Occupation
Rating
Police – air wing or bomb disposal
Non-insurable
Police – other – officers including motorcycle police or special operations group
Non-insurable
Police – special operations group
Non-insurable
Police – dog squad
High risk
Police – superintendents
White collar
Railway worker – railway police, shunter, track laying or maintenance
High risk
Diving – professional, military (no bomb disposal) or police
Non-insurable
What kind of insurance should police officers think about getting?
Fortunately, there are a few different insurance types out there which can provide financial peace of mind if you're a police officer. These include:
Life insurance. Most police officers can get life insurance, which pays your family (beneficiaries) a lump sum when you die. However, hazardous police roles like special operations and bomb disposal may need to look at getting life insurance with a provider that specialises in high-risk applicants, as you may find it much harder to get cover.
TPD (total and permanent disability) insurance. This pays you a lump sum if you become permanently disabled and unable to work again. TPD insurance is usually only available to police officers that are not working in a high-risk role. You'll also find that you can only get "Any Occupation" cover. This means that you will only be covered if you can never work again in any occupation – not just as a police officer.
Income protection insurance.This pays you a monthly income if you're sick or injured and need to take some time off work. Considering that there are a lot of small things that could go wrong as a police officer – such as a broken bone or sprain – it can be a particularly helpful type of insurance. It's usually only available to police officers that work in less high-risk roles though.
Trauma insurance. Trauma insurance pays you a lump sum if you're diagnosed with a critical illness or suffer a life-changing injury. Most police officers can get access to this type of insurance.
Do police officers need life insurance?
It's definitely worth having if you want to have enough money to pay off all your debts and allow your family to continue having the same quality of life that you provided them with when you were alive. You will probably also find that any work benefit or "group protection" plan that you are currently enrolled in isn't enough to do this. While there's no one-size-fits-all answer to how much life insurance you need, it's recommended that you have at least 10 times your annual salary.
Are police officers covered for death, illness and disability without insurance?
You may be covered for death, illness and disability without insurance through WorkCover. Workers compensation is provided by employers and can pay police officers a benefit if they get sick or injured from a work-related cause. In some cases, it can also provide disability benefits, death benefits and missed wage replacement.
However, the workers compensation that you are entitled to can differ depending on when you joined the police force and what state you work in. Unlike life and income protection insurance, there is also no guarantee that it will be enough to cover all your debts and expenses. Some other rules you should be aware of include:
The benefit period is usually capped at 130 weeks unless you are totally incapacitated.
It only covers you for work-related injuries and illnesses.
When won't a police officer be covered by life insurance?
Police officers will generally find it hard to get covered by life insurance if they work in any of the following areas:
Motorcycle police
Bomb disposal
Special Operations
Search & Rescue
Diving
Wingman
Pilot
Is life insurance more expensive for police officers?
If your job is classified as high risk, your premiums are likely to be more expensive. High-risk roles can include the following:
Railway police
Traffic and highway patrol
Dog unit
Mounted police officers
Bicycle unit
These aren't the only factors that can prevent you from getting cheap life insurance. Other important things that can affect the price of your premiums include:
Your age. Premiums go up as you get older.
Your health. Healthy people without medical problems pay less.
Your lifestyle. The healthier your lifestyle, the lower your premiums tend to be.
If you smoke. Smokers pay much more than non-smokers.
Level of cover. The higher your benefit payout, the larger your premiums.
Why compare life insurance with Finder?
You pay the same price as buying directly from the life insurer.
We're not owned by an insurer (unlike other comparison sites).
We've done 100+ hours of policy research to help you understand what you're comparing.
Bottom line
As a police officer, you put your health and safety on the line every day at work. While it may be normal for you, there are some risks you simply can't legislate for and there are people that depend on you. If you want to get life insurance, you can compare policies and buy it here.
FAQs
Many life insurance policies can cover mental health conditions but it depends on the specific policy terms and your individual circumstances. When applying, you will typically need to disclose any past or current mental health conditions. Some insurers may offer coverage with specific exclusions or higher premiums depending on the severity and management of the condition. It is always best to discuss this directly with an insurer or financial advisor to understand your options.
If you leave the police force your life insurance policy may change depending on the insurer and your new occupation. Most policies allow you to continue your cover regardless of your job change, however your premiums or specific terms might be reviewed, especially if your new role is considered less or more hazardous. It is important to inform your insurer of any significant occupation change to ensure your policy remains valid and appropriately rated.
You may need a medical examination to get life insurance as a police officer, particularly for higher levels of cover or if you have certain health conditions. Insurers often require a medical assessment to evaluate your health status and determine your risk profile. This can involve a doctor's visit, blood tests and other health checks. However, some basic policies might be available without an immediate medical exam.
Yes, most life insurance policies provide 24/7 cover, meaning they protect you for incidents that occur both on and off duty. Unlike workers compensation, which is typically limited to work-related injuries, life insurance is designed to pay out regardless of where or when the event leading to a claim occurred, assuming it falls within the policy's terms. It is important to check the specific wording of your policy for any exclusions.
Life insurance you purchase directly is separate from any death or TPD cover you might have through your superannuation. While your police superannuation may include some default insurance cover it is often not enough to fully protect your family, especially if you have significant debts or financial dependents. A separate life insurance policy can supplement your super cover, providing a higher benefit amount and greater flexibility over beneficiaries.
Yes, there are several ways police officers can potentially lower their life insurance premiums. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, avoiding smoking, and choosing a lower level of cover can help reduce costs. Some insurers might offer discounts for bundling multiple policies or for paying annually. Additionally, comparing quotes from different insurers is crucial, as prices for the same level of cover can vary significantly between providers.
Gary Ross Hunter has over 6 years of expertise writing about insurance, including life, health, home, and car insurance. Having reviewed hundreds of product disclosure statements and published over 800 articles, he loves simplifying complex insurance topics for everyday readers. Gary has contributed to major outlets like Yahoo Finance, The Sydney Morning Herald, and news.com.au, and holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in English Literature from the University of Glasgow, along with a Tier 2 General Advice certification, ensuring his work adheres to ASIC’s RG146 standards.
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