HCF Life Insurance review

Find cover for your family or income with HCF life insurance. Choose from seven different policy options.

3.8 ★★★★★ (33 reviews) Write a review
HCF Life Insurance Company is one of the leading insurance providers in Australia. HCF Australia not only offers extensive health insurance plans to its members, but also offers a comprehensive package of life insurance to suit different needs and lifestyles.
HCF Life Insurance is not currently available via finder. You can visit their website at www.hcf.com.au for more information or compare alternative options available below.

HCF life insurance: Our verdict

  • HCF policies can help bridge the gap between health insurance and life insurance where many policies tend to fall short.
  • A variety of plans are available including Kids' Accident, Personal Accident and Income Protect Insurance, with cover available to those under 17 up to age 74.
  • A maximum benefit of $1,500,000 might not be enough for some people. Also, funeral costs can get up to $15,000 so HCFs $15,000 funeral advancement benefit could leave your family out of pocket.

Review by our insurance senior writer Cristal Dyer

Finder Awards badge

Congratulations, HCF!

HCF is the 'Most Trusted Brand' in the 'Life Insurance - Direct' category in the 2024 Customer Satisfaction Awards.

Full list of 2024 winners

Read a more detailed review on:

piggy-bank

HCF Cash Back Cover

Cash Back Cover helps with unexpected costs when you're recovering from an illness or injury.

You'll receive a cash payment in the event of an accident that requires surgery or if you suffer from a major illness such as cancer, a heart attack or stroke. The cover is designed for costs that crop up once you leave the hospital such as extra rehab, taxis to the doctor, babysitters, hospital parking or help if you need time off work.

  • Pays $5,000 for accidents requiring surgery or for a number of serious illnesses
  • You can make multiple claims up to $20,000 for singles and $40,000 for families
  • Eligible to those aged 16–60, with cover expiring at 65
  • Costs from $3 per week, based on single cover

Fracture

HCF Income Protect Insurance

Provides a monthly benefit of up to 70% of your income if you're unable to work due to serious injury or illness. Cover also supports part-time workers as long as you work at least 21 hours a week.

  • Pays up to up to $7,500 per month for up to 12 months
  • Eligible to permanent Australian residents aged 18-60, with cover expiring at 65
  • Also covers self-employed workers as long as you've been self-employed for at least 12 months
  • Costs from $2.65 per week

child icon

HCF Kids Accident Cover

Receive a cash benefit of up to $5,000 if your child suffers from a specified list of common kids' injuries. Permanent disabilities that occur within 6 months of an accident have a benefit of up to $100,000.

  • Pays up to up to $1,750 for burns, $3,000 for broken bones and $5,000 for internal injuries
  • Claim up to $100,000 for permanent disabilities
  • Eligible to permanent Australian residents with a child under 17, with cover expiring when they turn 22
  • Costs from $1.25 per child per week

User

HCF Critical Illness Cover

Critical illness cover, also known as trauma cover, helps you deal with the financial impact of serious illness. You'll receive a benefit amount of up to $50,000 if you suffer from a serious specified illness like a heart attack, cancer or stroke.

  • Two levels of cover to choose from - $25,000 or $50,000
  • Single and family options available
  • Eligible to permanent Australian residents aged 18-54, with cover expiring at 65
  • Costs from $2.30 per week

Worker

HCF Personal Accident Insurance

HCF's Personal accident insurance is designed specifically for over 55s who would like some extra financial protection in the event of an accident or injury. A benefit payment of up to $15,000 is payable if you suffer from a serious injury as a result of an accident or up to $50,000 if you die.

  • Two levels of cover to choose from - $25,000 or $50,000
  • Accidents such as fractures, dislocations and severe burns are covered
  • Eligible to Australian residents aged 55-74, with cover expiring at 85
  • Costs from $3.20 per week

life insurance icon

HCF Life Protect Insurance

In line with a traditional term life insurance policy, HCFs Life Protection Insurance provides a lump sum benefit if you pass away during the policy term. It pays up to $1,500,000 in the event of your passing. The policy also covers you if you have been diagnosed with a terminal illness – in which case, you'll receive the total benefit amount insured.

  • HCF's policy offers a funeral advancement of $15,000
  • You can increase your cover after a major life event without having to do a health or lifestyle exam
  • 24/7 access to HCF's grief support service
  • Eligible to Australian residents aged 18-65, with cover expiring at 99

Am I eligible for HCF Life Insurance?

Applying for life insurance plans from HCF Australia can be straightforward. There are no complex medical questionnaires or examinations required and you may be eligible for guaranteed acceptance.

To be eligible to apply for a HCF life insurance policy, you'll typically have to be:

  • Between the age of 18 and 65
  • A permanent resident of Australia
  • On certain products, such as HCF Cash Back Cover, you'll need to hold a family level HCF private health insurance policy to be eligible for family cover.

Age restrictions, eligibility criteria and policy expiry dates vary between HCF policies. Always refer to the Product Disclosure Statement - or PDS - on HCF's website for more information to help you determine your suitability for a life product.

What is excluded?

All life insurance policies have exclusions and HCF is no exception. HCF will not pay a benefit if it is a result of the following:

  • An accident occuring before cover commencement
  • Acts of war, hostilities, civil commotion, terrorism or insurrection
  • Pre-existing conditions, such as cancer or heart disease
  • The following illnesses arising in the first 90 days of cover: Cancer (specified severity), endocarditis or pericarditis that requires surgery, severe permanent cardiac impairment
  • Any exclusion noted in your Certificate of Insurance when you sign up
  • Committing an illegal act
  • An accident that occurs outside Australia

For a full list of exclusions, review the product disclosure statement (PDS) before you purchase a policy.

Why should I consider life insurance From HCF?

HCF is one of the few not-for-profit organisations that offer life insurance to Australian citizens. This means the money that you pay towards your insurance premiums could bring added benefits, as profit is not the main concern of HCF.

HCF understands that in the Australian market, there are often gaps between life and health insurance providers, in which coverage for certain serious illnesses may be restricted.

Not only are HCF insurance products designed to fill the gaps that are seen in health insurance, but they are also designed to minimise the effect where people are left exposed in their life insurance cover.

Still not sure if HCF life insurance is right for you? Here are the main pros and cons summed up.

Pros

  • HCF has a wide variety of policies available starting from $1.25 per week with no excess.
  • Most claims are paid within five days once all supporting documents are submitted.
  • The maximum entry age of 74 for Personal Accident insurance is much more generous than other providers - usually stops at 65.

Cons

  • Much higher cover amounts can be found by its competitors including up to $25 million with NobleOak.
  • If you are not an Australian resident or are aged 75 and over, you are not eligible for HCF life insurance.
  • Offers stepped premiums, which means your premiums increase as you age. However, HCF's Cash Back Cover and Personal Accident Insurance products have level premiums, staying the same every year.

Compare more direct life insurance brands below

Name Finder Score Funeral Benefit Optional TPD Cover Optional Trauma Cover Maximum Cover Apply
Medibank Life Insurance image
Finder Award
Best Rated Brand
Finder score
Funeral Benefit
$15,000
Optional TPD Cover
$1.5 million
(maximum cover)
Optional Trauma Cover
Maximum Cover
$2.5 million
Our verdict: Medibank offers a higher payout limit ($2.5 million) than 15 other providers. It also won Most Loved, Best Value and Legendary Service categories in the Finder 2024 customer

⭐ Current offer: Save 10% on your first year of Medibank Life Insurance when you apply by 3 March 2025. T&Cs apply.
AAMI Life Insurance image
Finder score
Funeral Benefit
$10,000
Optional TPD Cover
Optional Trauma Cover
Maximum Cover
$1.5 million
Our verdict: There’s flexibility with AAMI as you can add another adult to your cover, with a competitive limit of $1.5 million. Easy application process with no medical exams.

⭐ Current offer: Take out an AAMI Life Insurance policy and get a $100 eGift card after 4 months of cover. Offer ends 03/03/2025. T&Cs apply.
Suncorp Life Insurance image
Finder score
Funeral Benefit
$10,000
Optional TPD Cover
Optional Trauma Cover
Maximum Cover
$1.5 million
Our verdict: Competitive maximum cover limit of $1.5 million. Suncorp lets you change your cover amount by up to $100,000 after a big life event, such as having a baby.

⭐ Current offer: Take out a Suncorp Life Insurance policy and get a $100 eGift card after 4 months of cover. Offer ends 03/03/2025. T&Cs apply.
Real Family Life Cover image
Finder score
Funeral Benefit
$10,000
Optional TPD Cover
$1 million
(maximum cover)
Optional Trauma Cover
Maximum Cover
$1 million
Our verdict: The application is simple; it can be done with 1 phone call and there are no medical exams. But households with larger debts may need more than a $1 million payout.

⭐ Current offer: Get back 10% of the premiums you’ve paid after 1 year.
Zurich Ezicover Life Insurance image
Finder score
Funeral Benefit
$15,000
Optional TPD Cover
Optional Trauma Cover
Maximum Cover
$1.5 million
Our verdict: Good if you want a cheap policy from a well-regarded insurer – its 98% claims acceptance rate is higher than any other provider on Finder. Zurich keeps things simple: unlike others, it doesn’t go in for optional add-ons such as TPD or trauma cover.

⭐ Current offer: Policy discounts include 10% off for your partner if you sign up for a joint policy. You can also get 5% off income protection if you buy it alongside your life cover.
loading
Showing 6 of 6 results

Why compare life insurance with Finder?

  • You pay the same price as buying directly from the life insurer.

  • We're not owned by an insurer (unlike other comparison sites).

  • We've done 100+ hours of policy research to help you understand what you're comparing.

Finder Score - Life Insurance

Life Insurance is a little complicated and a lot overwhelming. That's why we made the Finder Score, to make it easier to compare Life Insurance products against each other. Our experts analysed over 30 products and gave each one a score between 1 and 10.

But a higher score doesn't always mean a product is better for you. Your situation is unique, so your policy choice will be too. Don't think of Finder Score as the final word, but as a good place to start your life insurance comparison.

Read full Finder Score methodology

Frequently asked questions

Compare other products from HCF

William Eve's headshot
Written by

Group publisher

Willam Eve is the country manager for Finder's Canada operations. He has previously held the positions of group publisher of insurance for Finder Australia and lead publisher for the Finder global team. William has a Bachelor of Communications from the University of Technology Sydney, Australia. He loves the challenge of launching Finder into new markets while helping grow Finder’s global team. See full bio

James Martin's headshot
Co-written by

Editor

James Martin was the insurance editor at Finder. He has written on a range of insurance and finance topics for over 7 years. James often shares his insurance expertise as a media spokesperson and has appeared on Prime 7 News, WIN News, Insurance News, 7NEWS and The Guardian. He holds a Tier 1 General Insurance (General Advice) certification and a Tier 1 Generic Knowledge certification, both of which meet the requirements of ASIC Regulatory Guide 146 (RG146). See full bio

James's expertise
James has written 204 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Car, home, life, health, travel and pet insurance
  • Managing the cost of living
  • Money-saving tips

More guides on Finder

Go to site