Do police officers and paramedics pay higher premiums?

Often yes, but it depends on your role, duties, health and which insurer you choose. Some insurers are more flexible with emergency services than others.

Can volunteer emergency service workers get life insurance cover?

In many cases yes, although insurers may assess the type and frequency of duties. Professional guidance can help present your role clearly to insurers.

Is superannuation life cover enough for emergency services staff?

Usually no — super cover tends to be limited and may not reflect the unique risks of police or emergency service work. Additional personal cover is often needed.

Does life insurance cover PTSD or mental health issues?

Some policies may exclude mental health conditions, while others may offer cover depending on individual circumstances. Income Protection and Trauma cover may be relevant, but wording differs between insurers.

Life Insurance for Police & Emergency Services in Australia

Police officers, paramedics, firefighters and other emergency service personnel perform work that is essential — and often carries higher risk. At Covermate Life, we work with multiple insurers (AIA, MLC, TAL, Zurich, MetLife, OnePath, ClearView) to help emergency services workers get life insurance that accounts for the unique demands of their roles.

This page provides general advice only to highlight what those in emergency services should consider when looking for life insurance.

Why Police & Emergency Services Need Life Insurance

High-risk exposure (physical danger, accidents, extreme situations)
Increased health risks (trauma, stress, PTSD)
Irregular hours, shift work, overtime, on-call periods
Physical demands (rescue tasks, firefighting, lifting, exposure to elements)
Family and financial responsibilities (mortgage, dependents, household costs)
Difficulty or increased cost of obtaining certain types of cover (e.g. Trauma)

Types of Cover to Consider

Life Insurance (Lump Sum): payout on death
Total & Permanent Disability (TPD): if injury or illness prevents return to work or previous occupation
Income Protection Insurance: replaces some of salary/wages if unable to work due to illness or injury
Trauma / Critical Illness Cover: for serious illness (e.g. stroke, heart attack)
Possibly Accidental Death / Accidental Injury cover, depending on insurer

What to Watch Out for / Challenges

Waiting periods & premium loadings linked to risk exposure
How “occupation” is defined by insurers: e.g. for a firefighter with rescue duties vs administrative fire service staff
Exclusions for certain activities
The impact of shift work, stress, fitness, previous injury/health conditions
Superannuation cover vs personal cover: many emergency services workers have default super cover, but it may not be sufficient

Benefits of Using a Broker (Covermate Life)

Compare across insurers to find best terms and premiums
Make sure definition of “emergency service work” is correctly applied in policy
Help structure cover inside/outside super
Clarify which riders or add-ons (e.g. additional accidental cover, mental health-related claims) might apply
Assist with claiming, understanding policy wording

Next Steps

Get in touch for a no‐obligation discussion
Use our life insurance calculator to estimate how much cover you might need
Request quotes from multiple insurers

Back to Life Insurance by Occupation

FAQ

Q: Do emergency service workers pay higher premiums because of their work?
A: Often yes, because of the elevated risk, but it depends on the specific role, insurer, age, health, and duties.

Q: Can part‐time or volunteer emergency service personnel obtain cover?
A: Usually yes, but underwriting may consider the nature and extent of duties, the amount of exposure, and whether your work is paid or volunteer.

Q: Does superannuation life cover sufficiently cover someone in emergency services?
A: Default super cover is often limited in amount and may not account for your specific risk exposures. Personal cover or additional cover is often needed.

Q: What kind of cover is best for emergency stress or PTSD?
A: Trauma / Critical Illness cover may help if diagnosed with certain illnesses. Income Protection may help if you cannot work. Policies differ significantly, so check policy definitions carefully.