Life insurance for people with dementia or Alzheimer’s

How to get life insurance if you are diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer's in Australia.

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If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a form of dementia like Alzheimer's, you might have wondered if it is possible to get life insurance. Fortunately, having dementia should not hold you back from getting a life insurance policy.

To make the process simple and stress-free, we’ve broken down your options as clearly as possible.

Can dementia or Alzheimer’s patients get life insurance?

Yes, but because dementia is considered a pre-existing medical condition, it may be difficult to get a traditional direct life insurance policy where you simply do the research yourself and speak to the insurer directly. These are the options you can take when getting life insurance if you have dementia or Alzheimer's disease.

  • Direct life insurance. These types of policies are available to customers without needing to go through a broker. Some still require medical underwriting, while other's may not. While these types of polices can have simpler application processes, they may be more likely to add a premium loading or exclusion for existing conditions, or refuse cover altogether.
  • Retail life insurance. This is when you get advice from a broker and they find a suitable life insurance policy for you. It’s most likely that they will go to an insurer that specialises in high-risk individuals. You might end up paying a bit more for a policy due to the risks linked to your condition, but the process is far less stressful than looking yourself. Brokers can also advocate for you to get better premiums or conditions attached to your existing condition. These types of policies are usually very comprehensive and come with a lot of benefits that direct or super policies might not have as well.
  • Life insurance through super. When you open a super account, sometimes you might automatically have a life insurance policy included. If you’re not sure if you have a policy, reach out to your super fund directly and they’ll let you know. While the payout isn’t usually as much as a life insurance policy outside of super – it’s usually in the region of $100,000 to $200,000 – it can be a viable option if you’re struggling to find cover but might have exclusions related to pre-existing conditions.

How to get life insurance if you have been diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer's

A far less frustrating and time-consuming option to getting life insurance, is to speak to a broker. They’ll assess your needs and do the searching for you, plus their chances of finding the best life insurance policy for you are much higher than if you were to look for yourself.

Keep in mind that once you’ve been accepted for cover, you will have to serve a waiting period. This is the time you need to wait before you’re covered for issues related to your dementia and will be outlined in the product disclosure statement (PDS).

Speak to a broker to help you find cover

Does having dementia make insurance more expensive?

It can. Depending on whether you go through a broker or a direct insurance brand, the insurer can add loadings to your premiums to cover the risk of your condition. However, some brands may offer you insurance with an exclusion for that condition instead of increasing your premium. This means that while your insurance premium is cheaper, you won't be covered if your claim is related to your dementia. Other factors that can affect your premiums include your age, occupation, smoking status, gender and where you live.

One of the main reasons life insurance can be expensive is that when you buy a life insurance policy outside of super, the insurer needs to ascertain the degree of risk you present. In insurance terms, this is called underwriting and generally involves you undergoing a medical and answering questions about yourself. Every insurer’s underwriting process is different but you’ll most likely be asked questions about the following:

  • Age
  • Height and weight to determine your BMI
  • When you were diagnosed and your current condition
  • Any other conditions you may have
  • Family’s medical history
  • Current medications

What’s the best way to get life insurance if you have dementia or Alzheimer's?

If you have a pre-existing condition like Alzhiemer's, it's usually best to find an insurance brand that will conduct medical underwriting. It is always best to be upfront about your condition and work with insurers to get the best and most comprehensive cover, even if this means your premiums may be a bit higher.

The other option is to take out no medical life insurance. While these types of policies are very easy to take out, they are generally not as comprehensive, and generally have a clause that any conditions that existed before the cover was taken out will be excluded. This can also be true for life insurance through superannuation.

Compare life insurance options with our partners

1 - 7 of 12
Name Finder Score Maximum Cover Funeral Benefit Optional TPD Cover Optional Trauma Cover
Medibank Life Insurance image
Finder Award
Best Rated Brand
Finder score
Maximum Cover
$2.5 million
Funeral Benefit
$15,000
Optional TPD Cover
$1.5 million
(maximum cover)
Optional Trauma Cover
Get QuoteView details
Our verdict: Medibank offers a higher payout limit ($2.5 million) than 15 other providers. It also won Most Loved, Best Value and Legendary Service categories in the Finder 2024 customer

⭐ Current offer: Save 10% on your first year of Medibank Life Insurance when you apply by 10 December 2024. T&Cs apply.
ahm Life Insurance image
Finder score
Maximum Cover
$1.5 million
Funeral Benefit
$15,000
Optional TPD Cover
$1 million
(maximum cover)
Optional Trauma Cover
Get QuoteView details
Our verdict: ahm offers a simple application process. Be approved online or over the phone. No medical or blood tests needed to apply.

⭐ Current offer:Get 10% off your first year of ahm life insurance when you apply by 10 Dec 2024. T&Cs apply.
AAMI Life Insurance image
Finder score
Maximum Cover
$1.5 million
Funeral Benefit
$10,000
Optional TPD Cover
Optional Trauma Cover
Get QuoteView details
Our verdict: There’s flexibility with AAMI as you can add another adult to your cover, with a competitive limit of $1.5 million. Easy application process with no medical exams.

⭐ Current offer: Save up to 10% on premiums every year for the life of the policy on AAMI Life Insurance. Offer ends 2 December 2024. T&Cs apply.
Suncorp Life Insurance image
Finder score
Maximum Cover
$1.5 million
Funeral Benefit
$10,000
Optional TPD Cover
Optional Trauma Cover
Get QuoteView details
Our verdict: Competitive maximum cover limit of $1.5 million. Suncorp lets you change your cover amount by up to $100,000 after a big life event, such as having a baby.

⭐ Current offer: Save up to 10% on premiums every year for the life of the policy on Suncorp Life Insurance. Offer ends 2 December 2024. T&Cs apply.
Real Family Life Cover image
Finder score
Maximum Cover
$1 million
Funeral Benefit
$10,000
Optional TPD Cover
$1 million
(maximum cover)
Optional Trauma Cover
Get QuoteView details
Our verdict: The application is simple; it can be done with 1 phone call and there are no medical exams. But households with larger debts may need more than a $1 million payout.

⭐ Current offer: Get back 10% of the premiums you’ve paid after 1 year.
Zurich Ezicover Life Insurance image
Finder score
Maximum Cover
$1.5 million
Funeral Benefit
$15,000
Optional TPD Cover
Optional Trauma Cover
Get QuoteView details
Our verdict: Good if you want a cheap policy from a well-regarded insurer – its 98% claims acceptance rate is higher than any other provider on Finder. Zurich keeps things simple: unlike others, it doesn’t go in for optional add-ons such as TPD or trauma cover.

⭐ Current offer: Policy discounts include 10% off for your partner if you sign up for a joint policy. You can also get 5% off income protection if you buy it alongside your life cover.
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Finder Score - Life Insurance

Life Insurance is a little complicated and a lot overwhelming. That's why we made the Finder Score, to make it easier to compare Life Insurance products against each other. Our experts analysed over 30 products and gave each one a score between 1 and 10.

But a higher score doesn't always mean a product is better for you. Your situation is unique, so your policy choice will be too. Don't think of Finder Score as the final word, but as a good place to start your life insurance comparison.

Read full Finder Score methodology

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.

Does a family history of dementia impact life insurance?

Insurers may want to know about your family's medical history to decide if you will have any increased risks in the future. Dementia and Alzheimer's are conditions mostly related to age rather than genetics and so if you have a history of the condition in your family, this shouldn't impact your ability to take out life insurance. If you're concerned, speak to a professional insurance adviser or one that has expertise in special risk insurance. They will be able to give you a good idea of what you can and can't get when it comes to life insurance.

Do I have to disclose a family history of dementia or Alzheimer's?

You should let your insurer know if you have a family history of dementia that is considered hereditary. If you’re not sure, it’s best to inform them to be on the safe side. They’ll be able to look into the matter further for you. It’s also recommended that you let them know if a close family member has developed dementia earlier in life.

Bottom line

A dementia diagnosis is a daunting and life-changing experience. While life insurance can’t stop it, it can help pay off all your debts, hospital bills and expenses, making things a little easier for you and your family to cope. Compare your life insurance options here or fill out the form above to speak directly to a broker.

FAQ

Gary Ross Hunter's headshot
Editor, Insurance

Gary Ross Hunter was an editor at Finder, specialising in insurance. He’s been writing about life, travel, home, car, pet and health insurance for over 6 years and regularly appears as an insurance expert in publications including The Sydney Morning Herald, The Guardian and news.com.au. Gary holds a Kaplan Tier 2 General Advice General Insurance certification which meets the requirements of ASIC Regulatory Guide 146 (RG146). See full bio

Gary Ross's expertise
Gary Ross has written 646 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Health, home, life, car, pet and travel insurance
  • Managing the cost of living

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