TAL statement regarding recent inaccurate media reporting in relation to COVID-19

Recent media reports regarding the insurance cover provided by TAL to its customers, as it relates to COVID-19, have included factually inaccurate and misleading details which have the potential to cause unnecessary distress and panic for TAL customers.

In these challenging times, it is important that the community is provided with clear and accurate information.

To correct this reporting, reassure 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 front line, 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.

On 18 March 2020, TAL made a change to its underwriting guidelines for customers purchasing a new policy, which requires anyone who is exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 at the time of applying for cover, has recently travelled abroad, or forms part of a high risk group, to be individually assessed, with the potential for those new customers to be offered modified terms.

All customers of TAL who had cover in place prior to 18 March 2020 can be assured that they are fully covered in line with their policy terms and conditions for any impacts arising from COVID-19. For customers who took out cover on or after 18 March 2020, any modified terms applied to their policy would have been communicated to them at the time of taking out the policy. 

Any customers who are concerned or uncertain about their insurance cover with TAL are encouraged to check their policy documentation, or contact the TAL call centre on 1300 209 088.

In addition, TAL has confirmed to a number of superannuation funds that it will waive pandemic exclusions for superannuation fund members to ensure all members of those superannuation funds are also fully covered for any impacts of COVID-19.

These are unprecedented times and TAL understands the important role we have in supporting Australians and providing confidence to our customers and the community during this challenging period.