Our response to recent inaccurate media reporting in relation to COVID-19

You may have seen some recent media reporting of insurance cover provided by TAL to customers, as it relates to COVID-19.

As we all know, these are unprecedented times and TAL intends to play its role in supporting Australians during this challenging period. We understand the role that TAL has in supporting Australians and providing confidence to our customers and the community at this important time.

Together we have an important role in insuring the lives and livelihoods of Australian families, when they need us most.

There is also an obligation on all of us in these challenging times to provide the community with clear and accurate information to ensure the integrity of the life insurance industry. It is at times like this that the services provided by life insurers and financial advisers have never been more important.

To correct this reporting, reassure your clients and our customers, and provide clarity and confidence for the community, TAL confirms that:

• no general exclusions exist in our policies for COVID-19 for any existing or new customers,
• all existing customers, including doctors, nurses and medical professionals on the frontline, are fully covered for COVID-19; and

• contrary to recent reporting, no customers with the potential to be impacted by COVID-19 are at risk of having any payout associated with their policy reduced or cut off.

TAL recently made a change to its underwriting guidelines for new customers joining TAL after 18 March 2020. These guidelines relate to customers who are purchasing a new policy. In these circumstances, we individually assess new customers who have recently travelled abroad, or are showing symptoms of COVID-19, or are in high risk groups, and may offer these customers modified terms. This applies only to new customers joining TAL after 18 March 2020. This is similar to changes to underwriting practices made by other insurers in respect of COVID-19.

If your client took out a policy prior to 18 March 2020, then as an existing customer of TAL you can be assured that your client is fully covered for COVID-19 in line with their policy terms and conditions.

If your client took out a policy with TAL after 18 March 2020, then any modified terms that apply to their policy would have been communicated to them at the time they took out their policy. If you or your client have any questions, then please check the policy documentation, contact your usual TAL salesperson or contact our TAL call centre.

I want to reassure you that TAL is here to support you, along with your existing clients and your new clients. We understand that you will be receiving enquiries from your clients concerned about putting the necessary insurances in place to ensure they are protected should they need it in the future, and we are ready to assist you with those enquiries. Our underwriting guidelines are continually being updated as more data and new information comes to hand, to enable us to provide cover to as many Australians as possible. I encourage you to discuss with your local underwriting team what this means for any new clients you have, and the client opportunities it may represent for you.

I have also attached for your information two links:

• Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) – adviser FAQ

• Media Release

Kind regards,

Brett Clark
TAL Group CEO and Managing Director