Our Life Story

1869

It begins in New Zealand. The Government Life Insurance Office is created there and quickly develops an outstanding reputation as a specialist life insurer.

1990

Our journey continues in Australia. The Government Life Insurance Office is renamed TOWER and enters Australia with the purchase of Adriatic Life Insurance. They have expertise from their base in Europe, and bring more ways for customers to buy.

1993

TOWER increases their reach by purchasing Friends Provident Life Assurance. The financial futures of more Australians can be protected by offering tailored solutions through more advisers.

1999

TOWER becomes a force in the industry with the purchase of FAI Life. This positions TOWER within the top tier of insurers in the Australian market.

2006

TOWER expands how their customers’ insurance can be structured with the purchase of PrefSure Life Limited, looking after thousands of Australians via their super. Soon after, TOWER Australia is born. The business separates from TOWER New Zealand and is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX).

2008

TOWER Australia purchases Insuranceline, giving more Australians direct access to life insurance, funeral insurance and income protection insurance. 

2011

TOWER Australia leaves the ASX to become TAL, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Dai-ichi Life Group. This cements our position as Australia's specialist voice of life insurance.

2012

TAL launches the Affinia dealer group to provide a home for risk-specialist advisers.

2013

TAL acquires Lifebroker, to support consumer choice and a competitive life insurance market.

2015

TAL’s current CEO, Brett Clark, is appointed after almost 10 years with the business.

2015

TAL reaches the milestone of paying over $1 billion in claims in a year, living true to our promise to protect the lifestyles of Australians.

2016

TAL launches its direct to consumer product range making TAL Life Insurance more accessible to more people than ever before.  This embodies the fundamental principle that we firmly believe: that Australians should have choices in how they access life insurance, and cover options that can be tailored to suit their own needs and preferences.

2017

TAL announces partnership with the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia.

2017

TAL SpotChecker launches nationally offering free professional skin checks to Australians. The objective of this initiative is to educate more Australians on the importance of skin safety and help detect and prevent skin cancer.

2019

TAL acquires Suncorp’s Australian Life Insurance business.

2020

TAL reaches a new milestone of paying $2.7 billion in claims in 2020.

2023

TAL reaches a milestone of protecting 5 million customers¹ and their families. We're immensely proud of the contribution we make and the help we provide to Australians when they need us most.