Disaster relief

Protection Plans Bushfire Assistance Package will be available from 1 Nov 2019 through to 31 Mar 2020.

Eligible Protection Plans customers will receive a 3 month premium waiver at policy next payment date. 

Cover will continue will premiums are being waived.  

Eligibility

To be eligible for the 3 month premium waiver, clients must be: 

• residing in a bushfire declared disaster zone in Northern NSW or Southern Queensland
• holding a retail Protection Plans policy (including policies held within super) with risk commencement date prior to 25 August 2019 
• in receipt of, or be approved for, any one of three Government bushfire disaster assistance payments listed below: 
  
  
  • Australian Government Disaster Recovery Allowance 
  • Northern NSW - Natural Disaster Assistance Arrangements   
  • Southern Queensland - Personal Hardship Assistance Schemes and Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Scheme  

Policy holders who do not meet the above criteria are encouraged to contact us for a special consideration of their circumstances.  

Once satisfactory evidence is received we will apply the premium waiver on the policy and provide you with confirmation.

Additionally, specialised claims services will be available for eligible customers.

Declared disaster areas for September and October 2019 Bushfires:

NORTHERN NSW REGIONS	POST CODE (guide only)
Armidale Regional	2350
Clarence Valley	2321
Glen Innes Shire	2370
Inverell Shire	2360
Tenterfield	2372
Uralla Shire	2358
Bellingen Shire	2354
Walcha	2354
Richmond Valley	2323
SOUTHERN QLD REGIONS	POST CODE (guide only)
Sunshine coast and Noosa regions: Marcus beach Peregian Beach Peregian Springs Weyba Downs	4573 4562
Southern down region: Applethorpe Thulimbah	4378 4376
Scenic Rim region:  Beechmont Township Binna Burra Canungra Illinbah Sarabah	4211 4275

Links to Federal and State Government bushfire relief grants:

• https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/queensland-bushfires-september-2019-disaster-recovery-allowance
• https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/northern-nsw-bushfires-september-2019-disaster-recovery-allowance
• https://www.qld.gov.au/community/disasters-emergencies/recovery-after-disaster/financial-assistance
• https://www.disasterassist.gov.au/Pages/disasters/current-disasters/Queensland/southern-qld-bushfires-6-8-sept-2019.aspx
• https://www.emergency.nsw.gov.au/Pages/for-the-community/disaster-assistance/disaster-assistance-for-individuals.aspx

For more information

• If you have any questions about the Bushfire Assistance Package, please speak to your financial adviser or call us on 131 817, Monday to Friday, 8.00am - 6.30pm (AEST). 

Eligibility

To access the Drought Assistance Package, you or your financial adviser will need to contact Customer Relations by phoning 1800 025 127.

We will apply the 6 month premium waiver on Protection Plans policies that meet the following eligibility criteria:

1. Eligible occupation listed on the Protection Plans policy (see list of eligible occupations)
2. Provision of evidence of approval for Federal Government Farm Household Allowance
   1. E.g. Federal Government Farm Household Allowance acceptance letter or email
3. Living in a declared drought region of NSW or QLD
4. Existing in-force Protection Plans policies through Ordinary (non-Super) ownership* at 14 January 2019

Once satisfactory evidence is received, we will apply the premium waiver on the policy and provide you with confirmation.

*Policies owned via Super and SMSF are unable to receive the premium waiver

Additionally, specialised claims services will be available for eligible customers, similar to those provided during financial hardship claim cases.

Eligible occupations listed on the Protection Plans policy

Occupation	Sub-category
Cane Farmer	Cane Labourer/Worker/Harvester
	Owner/Manager
Dairy Industry	Farmer/Proprietor
Farm Labourer/Employee	Permanent Employee
Farm Proprietor	More than 5 staff
	Up to 5 staff
Farming Industry (Proprietor/Owner/Manager)	Beef Cattle
	Dairy
	Farmer Grazier/Owner
	Fruit/Vegetable Grower/Orchardist
	Grain/Wheat
	Grape Grower
	Mixed Farming
	Orchardist (Qualified)
	Poultry/Pig
	Sugarcane
Poultry Farmer	Manager Only
	Other than Manager

 

Details of the Federal Government Farm Household Allowance are available at:

https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/farm-household-allowance

Protection Plans Drought Assistance Package offer availability

You can apply for the Protection Plans Drought Assistance Package from 14^th January through to 30 September 2019.

Customers who pay premiums annually are eligible to receive a pro rata premium waiver at next payment date.