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Metlife Life Insurance Review 2024
MetLife was established in Australia in 2004, and is now one of the fastest growing life insurers. They currently protect 1.5 million Australians, and paid out over $533 million in claims in 2020.
Under the MetLife Protect brand, they offer a flexible range of products that let you make changes to your policy as your life changes.
Key Points
Choose your level of cover, based on your personal needs
An industry-leading advance of up to $30,000 for funeral expenses with Life Cover held outside of super
Awarded Life Insurance Company of the Year, ANZIIF Australian Industry Awards 2019
What types of cover does MetLife offer?
Nobody likes thinking about falling ill, having an accident or worse, but it’s important to be prepared if something were to happen to you. It’s all about providing a secure financial future for anyone who depends on you.
If you’ve got no dependents but not much in the way of savings, you may simply want income protection to cover your bills.
Have a history of illness in your family? You may want to consider trauma (critical illness) cover. And if you have a growing family or big financial commitments like a mortgage, you might prefer the reassurance of life cover.
MetLife offers a range of flexible products, some of which you can pay for through your super.
Life cover
MetLife Protect Life Cover is designed to build your insurance and adjust your cover as your life changes. If you die, your beneficiaries will receive 100% of your Life Cover amount. This one-off lump sum will help to pay off any debts, and give your loved ones financial security.
Key features:
A one-off payment if you die or are diagnosed with a terminal illness
A generous advance of up to $30,000 to help with expenses like a funeral
The ability to nominate up to five beneficiaries
Trauma cover (Critical illness cover)
MetLife Protect Trauma Cover gives you a one-off payment for specified critical illnesses such as cancer and heart disease. The benefit is paid out under a three tier system, based on the severity of the illness.
Key features:
A one-off payment if you suffer a common critical condition
Receive a 100% benefit for Tier 1, 50% for Tier 2 or 10-25% for Tier 3 conditions
Up to $5,000 in travel expenses if you travel more than 100km for medical treatment
Total permanent disability (TPD)
MetLife Protect TPD Cover is designed to lighten the financial burden if you were to suffer a serious injury or illness that permanently prevented you from working or doing everyday domestic duties. Our TPD guide has more information on how this type of cover works.
Key features:
One-off payment of 100% of your TPD cover amount if you can’t ever work again
100% of your TPD Cover Amount if you can’t do home duties without someone’s help
Partial payment of up to 25% or up to $500,000 (the lesser of the two) if you lose the use of one limb or sight in one eye (only available outside of your super)
Income protection
MetLife Protect Income Cover is there to replace up to 70% of your lost income if you become sick or injured and can’t work. That way you’ll have financial security while you get back on your feet.
Key features:
Monthly payments to replace part of your income if you’re sick or injured and can’t work
Premiums waived for up to three months if you become involuntarily unemployed
Choose a waiting period of 30 days, 90 days or 2 years
What member benefits does MetLife offer?
Members have free access to a wellness blog, with lifestyle tips and health insights for you and your loved ones.
Can I get MetLife life insurance through my superannuation?
Yes, you can get life, TPD and income protection through your super. Compare Club can help with this.
Trauma/critical illness cover isn't available with your superannuation through any insurer.
Want to know more about how life insurance works with superannuation? Read our guide.
Performance of MetLife
According to Moneysmart.gov.au, MetLife’s number of finalised claims between 1 July 2020 and 30 June 2021 is too small to provide a reliable reading on how long, on average, they take to pay a claim, as well as their claims acceptance rate.
The industry average during this period for claiming on advised life insurance policies is 1.5 months to settle a claim, with a 96.6% acceptance rate. MetLife has a 22.9% policy cancellation rate, which is significantly higher than the industry average of 13.6%.
Maximum cover amount*
Life cover – no maximum
TPD – $5 million
Critical illness – $2 million
Income protection – $30,000 per month or $5,000 a month depending on your occupation class
*Cover amounts are subject to financial underwriting.
Maximum entry age
Life cover – 73 (Stepped), 59 (level)
TPD – 64 (Stepped), 59 (level)
Critical illness – 64 (Stepped), 59 (level)
Income protection – 64 (Stepped), 59 (level)
Expiry age
Life cover – 130 (outside of super), 75 (inside of super)
TPD – 75
Trauma cover (Critical illness) – 75
Income protection – 75
Key exclusions
MetLife has listed its key exclusions by product type. You can see them below.
Life cover
A Life Cover claim will not be paid if the Life Insured’s death was caused or contributed by:
Suicide within the first 13 months of the date that the Life Cover starts or is increased
TPD
A TPD Cover claim will not be paid if total and permanent disablement is either caused, or contributed to, by:
a suicide, attempted suicide or intentional self-inflicted injury within the first 13 months of the cover start or reinstatement date, which will impact the Death benefit under TPD Cover
A direct or indirect result of the Life Insured’s attempted suicide or an intentional self-inflicted injury, where no benefits will be paid
Something MetLife has specifically excluded
Trauma cover (Critical illness)
A Trauma (Critical illness) claim will not be paid if:
You do not survive for at least 14 days after the date you first met the definition of the relevant trauma condition
A claim arises as a direct or indirect result of the Life Insured’s attempted suicide or an intentional self-inflicted injury
There is a no-claim period noted for a trauma category
Something MetLife has specifically excluded
Income protection
An Income Protection Insurance claim will not be paid if the total disability or partial disability is either caused, or contributed to, by:
An intentional self-inflicted injury or attempted suicide
A normal or uncomplicated pregnancy or childbirth
War or an act of war
the Life Insured’s participation in criminal activity or resulting from incarceration
Elective surgery and if it occurs within the first six months of the cover start or reinstatement date
Something that MetLife has specifically excluded
We have not listed every exclusion here, but if you are interested in learning more, please check the PDS.
MetLife life insurance costs
Everybody’s different, so your premium will be based on your individual circumstances, including your age, occupation and your insurance needs.
That's where Compare Club's specialists can help, by working out what type of policy could be right for you at a cost that fits in with your budget.
Of course, it’s worth consulting a financial advisor before making any financial decisions.
Compare & SaveFAQs
Who owns MetLife Life?
MetLife Protect is owned by MetLife Insurance Limited.
Do I need a medical exam to get life insurance with MetLife?
Possibly yes, as the underwriter may require blood tests/ health checks to be done. If this is the case however, it will be at no additional cost to you.
Does smoking affect my premiums?
Yes. Smokers can pay up to 60% more for their premiums than non-smokers.
Does MetLife life insurance include funeral cover?
An advance of up to $30,000 is included with Life Cover insurance funded outside of super.
Is it easy to cancel MetLife Life Insurance?
Yes. You can cancel in writing within the cooling off period, which is 30 days from the start date at no cost to you. You can cancel at any time after the cooling off period in writing; however, premiums paid through monthly instalments are not eligible for a refund.
Where can I buy life insurance with MetLife?
Compare Club’s life insurance experts can help you find an affordable policy quickly and easily, and take care of the paperwork for you.
Compare & SaveThings You Should Know
We do not compare all life insurers or products available on the market.. Any advice on this website is general in nature and does not consider your individual needs, objectives, or your circumstances. You should consider the appropriateness of any advice and read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) before proceeding. For more information on the range of insurers, how Life Insurance Comparison works, and how we are compensated, please read our Financial Services Guide (FSG).