Month: July 2017

The decision to take out life insurance is a very important one, and one that shouldn’t be taken lightly or made on the spur of the moment. Whether you’re considering term life, income protection, TPD or trauma insurance, it’s essential that you talk to a professional and independent life insurance adviser beforehand to get a full understanding of your various options.

With a little bit of legwork and some expert advice, you can get the valuable peace of mind and financial protection you and your family deserve. Here are the 10 most important questions to ask your adviser to make sure that they – and the cover they can provide – is right for you:

 

#1: What type of life insurance should I choose?

There is a range of different life insurance options available including term life, income protection, total and permanent disability, and trauma insurance. The benefits, features and costs of each will vary, and the type of cover you choose will depend on what you need from your policy.

A good insurance adviser will explain the different types of policies available and help you compare their benefits and costs, to decide which one is best suited to you and your family.

 

#2: How much cover do I need?

Like with the type of cover you choose, the amount of cover you decide on will depend on a variety of factors such as your lifestyle, financial commitments, future plans and personal circumstances.

Everyone’s needs will be different so there is no standard answer to this question, but your adviser should help you determine the appropriate amount of cover by thoroughly assessing your income, assets, liabilities, lifestyle and circumstances both short- and long-term.

 

#3: How much will my cover cost?

Again, this will depend on the type and amount of cover you want. While the cost is a very important factor when choosing insurance, you need to make sure you also take into account the features, benefits and limits of the policy in relation to its price to work out whether you’re getting good value for money.

 

#4: What sort of discounts are available?

Many people aren’t aware you can even ask for discounts, but a lot of insurance providers do offer specific discounts for eligible clients such as those in a particular age group, on a group policy, or who have paid the policy in full.

It may require a few adjustments to your policy, but it can be well worth talking it through with your insurance adviser if it means saving on the total cost of your cover.

 

#5: What is not covered in the policy?

Don’t overlook the importance of exclusions – it’s vital that you go through them in detail with your adviser to make sure you completely understand what is and isn’t covered under the plan you are considering.

Not only will this save you a lot of time and heartache in the future if you do need to claim, but it also ensures that if you need something specific covered now or in the future, then you’ll be able to get the right cover from the beginning. 

 

#6: How do you handle my claims?

The claims process will vary between providers and policies, so it’s worth finding out what the process involves. Ideally, you’d like one that’s simple and straightforward, and that your insurance adviser can either take care of for you or can help you through.

Understanding the complexities and intricacies of insurance law and making a successful claim is your adviser’s specialty, and they should be able to discuss all the finer details with you as well as make it easy to claim if the need arises.

 

#7: What are my guarantees?

For insurance policies such as term life, income protection, TPD and trauma insurance, there are some aspects that policies are guaranteed to cover. For example, some policies are guaranteed to remain at a steady rate despite any changes in the economic market, while some may be affected by any changes to your health, income or lifestyle over the period of your policy.

Ask your adviser about these beforehand to make sure you won’t be hit by any unexpected rate rises or changes to your premiums or deductibles.

 

#8: What are the policies for adjusting rates?

In a similar vein to guarantees, it’s important to find out what your provider’s policy is on rate adjustments. Some providers won’t inform customers when the rate changes, and while you probably won’t notice if the rate goes down, you’ll certainly notice if it goes up.

To avoid getting caught out by a surprise rate increase, find out what the policies are about premium adjustments before you commit to cover.

 

#9: When does the cover start?

It’s always a good idea to check with your insurance adviser about the exact date that your cover starts, so you know when you’re being covered from. In some cases, there can be a delay between signing the policy and when the cover actually starts.

 

#10: What happens if I can’t pay?

If something were to happen in the future and you suddenly weren’t able to meet your life insurance payments, you need to know what your options are. Many insurance providers will have some sort of contingency plan in place, such as an option for income protection insurance together with your life insurance to help you pay your bills if you suddenly lose your income.

Whatever you choose to do, just remember that losing a policy that you’ve been paying into for several years – or even decades – can be a huge financial loss. So being prepared for the worst is never a bad decision; find out what your options are and don’t be afraid to ask more questions.

While there are numerous other questions worth asking your insurance adviser before you commit to a particular policy, these are the most important. Your adviser is there to help you secure your family’s future, so make sure you take advantage of the service to get the cover that’s right for you. 

Check out our Frequently Asked Questions or get in touch with one of our insurance advisers for yourself to find out more about the comprehensive service we provide to help you make sure you’re getting the right cover.

With so many providers, products, features and pricings on the market, it’s no wonder that many Australians question whether they can get a better deal on life insurance.

Chances are, you can get the life insurance products you want for less than you’re currently paying.

If you’ve repaid your mortgage, the kids have left home, you’ve got a healthy amount of savings tucked away or the dangerous past times you used to engage in have stopped, you may not need the same level of cover you once required.

Or, if reducing day-to-day expenses is your goal, there are ways to save money without having to abandon your policy or settle for less cover than you need (after all, if you’re struggling now just imagine what it will be like for your family if you pass away and you’re underinsured!).

Whatever your reasons for wanting to reduce your life insurance premiums are, saving money without having to compromise on the quality of your life insurance products is entirely achievable.

Here’s how:

 

Consolidate Your Super Insurance

If you have life insurance already included in your superannuation, consider consolidating this cover with your current life insurance fund. Combining covers will save money that you would otherwise be spending on unnecessary fees and premiums.

 

Compare Your Current Policy

Talk to an insurance adviser to see if you are getting the best value for money with the life insurance you already have. Chances are, you may be holding on to a policy that is:

• Outdated and no longer reflects the level of cover you require
• Charging uncompetitive rates/li>

If you’re healthy, there’s no reason not to make the switch to a provider offering better value – even if it means taking another medical examination.

 

Opt for a Longer Waiting Period

If you have income protection insurance, the amount of time you must wait before being eligible to claim on your policy is known as the waiting period. If you are in a position to financially support yourself for a period time in the event of you losing your income through illness or accident, it is cost effective to extend the waiting period on your policy, as this will reduce your premiums.

The reason for this is that a longer waiting period gives the insurer less chance of having to make minor payouts over the life of your policy. Consider: with a 14-day waiting period, you must be completely off work for 14 days before you are eligible to make a claim. Once this 14 day period has expired, if you meet the remaining conditions of your policy you will be eligible to receive a benefit payout for as long as you continue to meet these conditions; effectively, as long as your are still prevented from working by your disability. The same applies with a 90-day waiting period.

However, it is much more likely that you will become disabled and off work for a period of, say, 30 days whilst you recover from some injury (and thus be eligible to claim for two weeks’ income replacement) than it is that you will be off for three whole months and be eligible to claim before going back to work. In this sense, whilst the insurer will still pay your benefit in both cases if you are permanently disabled, this risk to the insurer of having to pay temporary benefits is greater the shorter your waiting period. Accordingly, premiums cost less.

Income Protection insurance is designed to provide you with an ongoing benefit if you lose your income due to illness or accident. If you are in a financial position to provide for yourself for three months should you be unable to work due to disability, a 90-day waiting period will be an effective way of reducing your premiums and therefore the total cost of your insurance.

 

Work on Your Health

Along with your age, your physical health is one of the biggest factors determining how much your life insurance policy is going to cost.

If you can demonstrate that your health has radically improved since your initial medical assessment, you may find yourself with a more appealing risk profile that warrants a decreased premium.

Ways that you can adjust your lifestyle and save money on life insurance include:

• Quitting smoking: You can apply for life insurance that’s charged at the standard rate at least 12 months after your quit date.
• Reducing or eliminating alcohol consumption: If you can show that your drinking habits have permanently changed for the better, you may be bumped down a risk category.

Losing or gaining weight: Working on your fitness so that you fall within a healthy BMI category and then maintaining that healthy weight is one of the best ways to secure lower premiums.

 

Get Covered While You’re Young & Lively

When it comes to buying life insurance products, the biggest mistake you can make is waiting until you’re older to get covered. Applying while you’re young and healthy will give you the best chance of securing a lifelong policy that costs the “standard” premium rates.

 

Enquire About Pausing Premiums

If for any reason, you are experiencing severe financial hardship and cannot afford to pay your life insurance premiums, the first thing you should do is talk to your insurer about temporarily pausing your payments.

Most insurers allow their clients a few months over the life of their policy wherein they can “pause” their premiums. Or, sometimes insurers give their customers the option of “freezing” the cost of their premiums in return for a reduced amount of coverage.

Enquiring about these grace options could mean the difference between getting enough monetary breathing room to keep your policy and letting your policy lapse and losing the lower premium rates you were able to attain by obtaining coverage at a young age.

 

Swap Your “No Medical” Coverage

Chances are, if you opted to get “no medical” coverage when you first bought your life insurance, you are paying an exorbitant premium for the pleasure. You’re better off just biting the bullet, getting the medical examinations required by a competitive policy out of the way, and enjoying the thousands of dollars you’ll be saving later down the track.

 

Ask for Advice

Most people are not experts when it comes to navigating the complex world of life insurance. If you need help understanding which options will work best for you, then you’ve got nothing to lose by picking up the phone and calling an adviser.

Our team of life insurance advisers understand the different underwriting guidelines each of our premium partners uses, and can help you compare life insurance policies to find one best suited to your needs. These underwriting guidelines are how insurers determine how important various risk factors are. For instance, some insurers will place sufferers of all types of heart problems in the “high risk” category whereas others will look at heart issues on a case-by-case basis and determine the risk category according to an individual’s particular prognosis.

Because each insurer will assess a person differently, getting advice from an experienced industry professional could end up saving you thousands of dollars over the rest of your life, and put your family in a better financial position when you pass away or if you find yourself with serious medical problems later on in life.

If the thought of tackling a lengthy application process is putting you off applying for life insurance, we understand your struggle. It can be overwhelming if it’s your first time purchasing a life insurance policy. But there’s no need to stress; we’re here to help!

We want to explain the application and assessment process in simple terms. By giving you a better understanding of the processes in place, why they are there and what they achieve, we hope you will feel more confident about approaching us at Cover Australia for a life insurance quote.

 

How do I Receive Life Insurance Advice?

It is always important to start your life insurance journey by seeking advice from an experienced adviser. Then once you’ve chosen a life insurance product, your adviser will guide you through the application process.

Life insurance advisers are experts in the industry and know all the ins and outs of getting you the best deal and the most comprehensive cover for your specific needs. An adviser can talk you through the application process, informing you about the steps you need to take, the information to be provided, and the process involved to get you covered.

Don’t feel like you are going at it alone. By having a knowledgeable adviser by your side throughout the process, you’ll always have someone to turn to if you have any questions about the application process and the cover itself.

 

How do I Lodge an Application?

The first step you need to take to obtain life insurance cover is to submit an application with a life insurance provider. Once the application is submitted, assessments will then take place.

Depending on the details you will be asked to provide, there are three different ways an application can be lodged:

Your adviser can submit your application answers directly on your behalf

You can answer application questions over the phone

You can fill in a physical application that your adviser will submit on your behalf

 

What Information do I Need to Provide in an Application?

To ensure the insurance provider can accurately assess your eligibility for life insurance, a number of documents are often required. Depending on the insurance provider and level of cover you choose, the information you may need to deliver includes:

• Age
• Gender
• Residency
• Occupation
• Medical history
• Sports and rectional pastimes
• Financial status

It’s always important to be honest about your personal details and medical history so you can receive an accurate assessment and an outcome that correctly reflects your needs and situation.

According to Bankrate, a two-year contestable period is included with most standard life insurance policies meaning that the policy can be withdrawn by the insurance company if it’s found that you lied on your application.

 

How am I Assessed for Life Insurance?

An underwriter is responsible for evaluating life insurance applicants, and it is their job to determine the level of risk associated with the person applying for the cover. To do this, your personal details and medical history are evaluated and carefully considered to decide on the conditions and pricing that will be applied.

Underwriting is necessary for most life insurance policies, however, it’s not required for default life insurance options provided by workplace schemes and superannuation. According to TAL, their life insurance underwriters along with all others aim to arrive at a conclusion that is fair to the individual as well as the pool of funds needed to cover the risks.

It’s crucial for an underwriter to assess your situation correctly and give you a good deal on your premiums while also not causing any monetary loss to the insurance company. After all, if the premiums are too high, the customer could easily get insurance from a competitor offering a better deal.

 

What Can I Expect from the Assessment Process?

The whole point of your life insurance assessment is to determine how long you’re likely to live according to current medical history and at what point in time a claim is likely to be made. The insurance company wants to ensure they can get enough back from you in premiums before paying out a claim on your policy.

Here’s a quick overview of how each area is likely to be assessed:

• Age: One of the major factors contributing to your premium is your age. Younger people are valued as lower risk, therefore, their premium will be lower than older people.
• Health:If you’re currently in good health, you will be seen as a lower risk. If you have an unhealthy lifestyle or experience regular illness, it’s to be expected that you will receive a higher premium.
• Family History: If you have a family history of serious diseases or illnesses, it’s possible that you will be placed in a higher risk category when being assessed.
• – Work and Recreation: If you work in a hazardous career where there is a risk to your health and wellbeing, your occupation will have an impact on your premium. This is also the case if you regularly take part in recreational activities where there is a possible risk to your life, such as extreme sports.

 

Medical Assessments

When applying for life insurance, depending on the amount of cover you are requesting, medical examinations are often required to provide an accurate assessment and gain a precise depiction of your health status.

According to finder.com.au, an underwriter may request a medical report from your doctor or conduct a medical examination if you have been inflicted with a medical condition such as:

• Chest pains
• Lung disorders
• Chronic indigestion
• Hepatitis
• Mental illness
• Epilepsy
• Kidney, liver or bladder disorders
• High blood pressure and heart troubles
• Diabetes
• Bronchitis
• Cancer or malignant tumours

It is possible that a previously unknown medical problem could be identified after your medical assessment. If this occurs, the insurance company will notify you if any unusual test results occur along with information about how it will affect your life insurance application.

According to Asteron Life, depending on your age or life circumstances, you may be able to avoid medical tests altogether. If you’re under the age of 45, have no current health problems and are hoping to apply for up to $2.5 million of life insurance cover, for example, you are unlikely to need a medical assessment.

 

Why are Life Insurance Assessments so Involved?

The life insurance sector is heavily regulated in Australia. As explained by TAL, after your cover has been accepted and the insurance policy has been issued, an insurer is unable to cancel the policy or increase the price in relation to the policyholder’s health deteriorating.

The insurer can only fully assess this risk once, which is why the assessment process is so involved at the beginning. So with this in mind, it’s always best (and more affordable) to take on life insurance while you’re young and healthy to ensure you receive the best premiums and coverage possible.

 

What are the Outcomes?

Once your assessment is complete, you will be informed of the outcome in writing. If your application has been accepted, you’ll also receive a policy schedule from the insurer outlining the cover included and the dollar amount for the first premium due.

The outcome will vary depending on the results of your assessment. The possible outcomes from your assessment are as follows:

 

Tips for a Successful Life Insurance Application from our Premium Partners

Keep in mind that the application process and the information required can vary slightly between insurance providers. To help you on your journey towards protecting your loved ones with life insurance, our premium partners at Cover Australia have shared their ultimate life insurance application tips.

These tips come direct from our insurance providers and will be invaluable for you when seeking out a policy that suits your needs at a price you’ll be pleased with.

 

Life Insurance Application and Assessment from Cover Australia

At Cover Australia, not only can you compare insurance policies with us, but you can also receive trusted advice from qualified advisers who are more than happy to guide you through the life insurance application process.

Cover Australia’s platinum partners are industry leaders when it comes to providing comprehensive cover and fair assessments at a price our customers love. If you’d like to get a quote for life insurance with us at Cover Australia, visit our website and speak with an adviser to initiate the application and assessment process right away.

Are you reassessing your finances now that life is starting to slow down? In your 50s and 60s (and beyond), life insurance may seem like an unnecessary extra expense – especially with premiums getting higher as you get older.

But the fact of the matter is, no matter how old you are, life is always going to be unpredictable. Whether you’re 20 or 60, there’s no way of knowing what’s going to happen and the best you can ever do is be properly prepared for the unexpected.

If you have a family that you don’t want to burden with debt, a partner who depends on you, or a legacy that you want to leave behind, it’s important to take steps to secure their future and their livelihood. And life insurance is designed to do exactly that.

There are life insurance options available for every stage of your life, including as you move towards retirement. If you’re between 50 and 75, you’re eligible for senior’s life insurance – a tailored insurance product for those in their older years, who have very different needs and motivations to the younger generation of Australians.

Still not convinced? Read on below to weigh up all the benefits!

 

The Benefits at a Glance

Financial protection is more important than ever as you get older. Not just for the family and loved ones that you’ll one day leave behind, but also for the assets and investments that you’ve worked so hard your whole life to accumulate.

Here’s why baby boomers should be taking out (and keeping) their life cover:

 

Securing the Best Value Cover

Are you concerned about the cost of senior’s life insurance? While you can’t avoid premiums getting higher as you get older, there are still plenty of ways that you can cut the cost of your policy and make it more affordable on your budget.

 

What if my Application is Refused?

Unfortunately, as you get older you become a higher risk for insurance providers, and there is a chance that your application may be refused. This can be because of a number of reasons, such as your health or any existing medical conditions, a dangerous occupation, and whether or not you smoke.

If this happens, it’s important not to be discouraged because there are still options available to you. You can apply with a different provider, or request a reassessment of your application where you may be required to provide additional information.

Going through an independent insurance adviser is also a great way to make sure you’re aware of all your options and are guided through the application process with the best chance of a favourable outcome.

 

Financial Security for Every Stage of Your Life

Life insurance is not just for the young. No matter what stage of your life you’re in, being properly protected and securing your family’s future is an invaluable asset to have.

If you’re over 50, life cover is more important than ever. Life may be slowing down, but your financial obligations will still be there – take the necessary steps to protect your family and investments today.

When it comes to living a long life, Australians will be glad to know that they have a higher chance at this than many other people around the world. Australians are among the longest living people in the world, with an average life expectancy of 82.15 years as of 2015 (the 13th highest in the world according to the CIA World Factbook).

With that said, this doesn’t mean you should let yourself go and not take care of yourself. Life expectancies, after all, are just that – estimates and expectations.

If you want to live a long life and have a shot at meeting the estimated Australian life expectancy, then you have to make sure you live healthy and constantly improve your lifestyle.

There are several ways to do this, but here are five small, simple ways to make a positive impact in your life:

 

1. Eat more fruits and vegetables

By now, it’s practically common knowledge that eating plenty of fruits and vegetables is good for you. But many still fail to do this consistently (or do enough of it) that it’s always worth a reminder. Several studies over the years have shown that eating more fruits and vegetables is good for you. So there is hardly any doubt about it now: if you want to live longer, add more fruits and vegetables to your diet.

But you don’t have to become a vegetarian to enjoy its benefits, either. You simply have to eat more of it and much more regularly. In fact, the Australian Department of Healthrecommends at least 2 servings of fruit and 5 servings of vegetables per day for adults – an amount that’s not too difficult to achieve.

 

2. Consume less meat (especially red meat)

One common trait among people from countries with the highest life expectancies is that they don’t usually consume a lot of meat. For many people, consuming less meat (especially red and processed meat) goes hand-in-hand with eating more fruits and vegetables, so it’s often a natural transition.

This bodes well for those who decide to do this because research has shown that higher consumption of red meat may lead to a shorter life.

Similar to adopting more fruits and vegetables, you don’t have to take it to the extreme and abstain from meat altogether. Aim for moderation instead, eating smaller portions and less frequently. You could also try substituting red meat and processed meats with other sources of protein like fish, poultry, beans, and legumes.

 

3. Get moving

It’s no secret that staying active is essential to a healthy lifestyle. Not only does exercise and physical activity help you feel younger, it also makes your body stronger and more resistant to ailments and diseases.

One recent studypresented at the European Society of Cardiology showed that moderate and regular exercise could slow down ageing and increase a person’s average lifespan. According to Sanjay Sharma, a professor of inherited cardiac diseases at St. George’s University Hospital in London, exercise can add as many as 3 to 7 additional years to your life. Not to mention it could help prevent the onset of dementia, which is one of the leading causes of death in Australia.

Even better news? You don’t have to be a marathon runner or a gym rat to get the benefits of exercise. The study also shows that just 25 minutes a day of moderate physical activity can have a hugely positive effect on our bodies.

 

4. Spend time with good company

When it comes to living a long life, relationships truly matter.

Research suggests that the more meaningful relationships you have in your life, the longer you’re likely to live. One study by researchers from the University of Cambridge showed that those with stronger social relationships in their lives were about 50% more likely to survive than those with weak social relationships.

This study is consistent with the findings of another study by researchers from Brigham Young University, which showed that social isolation and loneliness can be precursors to early death.

So spend quality time with family and friends, and you’ll be on the right track.

 

5. Get enough sleep (but not too much)

Sleep is one of the best ways our bodies rest, so it’s only natural to think that the more sleep you get, the longer you’ll live. This assumption, however, isn’t always true.

One 2002 study from the University of California in San Diego suggested that those who slept eight hours or more were more likely to die than those who slept around 6.5-7.5 hours a night. A 2015 study from the University of Sydney, meanwhile, has shown that oversleeping (i.e. nine hours or more per day) can be a significant risk factor, especially when coupled with a highly sedentary lifestyle.

So how much sleep should you get?

Although there’s no single right amount of sleep for everyone, experts seem to agree that around 7 hours may be the sweet spot. So aim to get at least 7 hours of sleep every night.

As these tips show, improving your life to live longer doesn’t always require massive life changes. By making simple, positive tweaks to your lifestyle, you can effectively increase your chances of living longer.

Mortality is always a hard topic to discuss. Whether we like it or not, death is something that we all have to face, and although it’s a subject many of us try to avoid, it’s something we all should be planning for.

To paint a clear picture of death in Australia, we have rounded up the most recent Australian statistics from across the internet. By compiling this data together, we can get a better understanding of the risks we face in life and learn about how we are most likely to pass away.

This information should also prove to be a great resource for anyone looking to the future and hoping to plan out their life insurance policy to protect their family after they pass away.

 

Putting Death into Perspective

Before we get started on the topic of death, let’s look at something a bit more positive – how long we are expected to live.

According to 2013 statistics from The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), life expectancy has continued to improve over the past ten years.

In 2013 the median age of death was:

• 78.4 years – Male
• 84.6 years – Female

The life expectancy is expected to improve even further for future generations.

A person born between 2011 and 2013 is expected to live:

• 80.1 years – Male
• 84.3 years – Female

 

Total Deaths in Australia

The most recent ABS statistics from 2014 show that in Australia there were 153,580 total deaths.

• 78,341 deaths were male
• 75,239 deaths were female

 

Common Causes of Death

When understanding the causes of death in Australia, we first have to look at the leading causes of death. This paints a pretty clear picture of how Australians are most likely to pass away.

According to 2014 ABS statistics, the leading causes of death in Australia attributing to 1/3 of total deaths are:

It’s also very common for people to have multiple causes of death. In 2014, there was an average of 3.3 causes contributing to death and 61.3% of deaths reported having three or more causes.

 

Death by Age

Although heart disease is the leading cause of death for the Australian population as a whole, the most common causes of death vary significantly depending on age.

The leading cause of death for the 15 to 44 age group is:

• Intentional self-harm (suicide)
• Accidental poisonings such as drug overdoses
• Land transport accidents

45 to 74 year-olds are more likely to die from:

• Heart diseases
• Lung cancer
• Chronic lower respiratory diseases

Anyone who is 75 and over is most likely to die from:

• Heart diseases
• Dementia including Alzheimer’s disease
• Cerebrovascular diseases

 

Cardiovascular Disease

The Heart Foundation shows that in 2013, 43,603 deaths were attributed to cardiovascular disease (CVD), which includes heart diseases, strokes and blood vessel diseases. CVD made up 30% of deaths in 2013 and one in six people are affected by this disease across Australia.

The leading cause of death from cardiovascular disease is heart attack. 54,000 Australians suffer a heart attack every year resulting in 8,611 deaths in 2013.

The threat of heart disease will not be going away anytime soon and is predicted to continue being a leading cause of death in Australia.

 

Cancer Deaths

According to Cancer Australia, in 2012, 43,039 deaths were caused by cancer in our country with a projection of 46,570 deaths in 2015. This means that cancer has recently overtaken cardiovascular disease as the leading cause of death in Australia.

Cancer has resulted in 212 deaths per 100,000 people for males and 134 deaths per 100,000 for females in 2014.

AIHW statistics show that 123,920 new cases of cancer were diagnosed in Australia in 2014. Cancer also contributed to 16% – 19% of total deaths in Australia.

The most common cancer deaths for men in 2014 were:

• Lung – 5,150
• Prostate – 3,390
• Colorectal – 2,210
• Pancreas – 1,360

The most common cancer deaths for women in 2014 were:

• Lung – 3,480
• Breast – 3,000
• Colorectal – 1,910
• Pancreas – 1,280

Thanks to increased awareness and improved treatment options, the mortality rate due to cancer has declined over recent years. Cancer Australia shows that there is now a 67% survival rate for cancer and it’s hoped that continued cancer research will further improve the survival rate in the future.

 

Suicide Deaths

Suicide is, unfortunately, an increasing problem in Australia. Statistics from Fact Check have revealed that seven Australians commit suicide every day.

Recent ABS statistics show that 2,522 people committed suicide in 2013 compared to 2,098 in 2004. Therefore the suicide rate has increased by 20% over the last 10 years. This figure could even be higher than reported according to a 2010 senate inquiry, due to uncertainty surrounding coronial inquests resulting in suicides being under-reported.

The suicide rate is higher than the rate of road deaths and unlike road fatalities and homicide, the number of people taking their lives continues to increase.

 

Road Deaths

According to Australian Government Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development statistics, 1,156 road users died on the roads in 2014.

The number of fatalities on the road in Australia consists of:

• 535 drivers
• 229 passengers
• 152 pedestrians
• 192 motorcyclists
• 45 pedal cyclists

The age group with the highest death toll is 40 to 64 with 362 deaths followed by 252 deaths in the 26 to 39 age group.

When dividing these statistics by gender, males are far more likely to be killed on the road than females with 824 men and 331 women passing away on our roads in 2014.

In more positive news, the annual road toll rate has declined by 39% over the last decade and is currently at the lowest rate on record. Therefore, the chance of being killed on the road is dropping thanks to enhanced safety features in cars and the enforcement of road rules.

 

Homicide Deaths

Australia has a low homicide rate compared to the rest of the world. The Homicide in Australia 2010 – 2012 report shows there have been 243 incidents of murder recorded between 2011 and 2012. Among the 243 incidents, 511 people were killed.

Here are some more insightful statistics about homicide in our country:

• 39% of homicides were classed as domestic
• 36% of homicides were carried out by acquaintances
• 58% of these deaths were caused by the intimate partner in domestic cases
• 70% of these murders took place at residential properties

The three highest causes of death by homicide include:

• Stab wounds – 187 deaths
• Beatings – 125 deaths
• Gunshot wounds – 69 deaths

30% of the victims were aged between 35 and 49 and 21% were 25 to 34 years of age. 85% of the offenders in all homicide cases were male.

On a more positive note, the homicide rate continues to decline in this country with Australia currently seeing the lowest murder rate since records began.

 

Alcohol Deaths

There is a continuing drinking culture problem in this country that has ultimately lead to a high number of alcohol-related deaths.

The Alcohol’s Burden of Disease in Australia Report by VicHealth shows that there were 5,554 alcohol-related deaths in Australia in 2010.

According to these statistics, the conditions resulting from long-term and excessive consumption of alcohol ultimately leading to death include:

• Cancers
• Digestive diseases
• Cardiovascular diseases
• Infections and parasitic diseases
• Injuries
• Neuropsychiatric diseases

Cancer and cardiovascular diseases are considered to be the leading result of alcohol deaths. For more information on alcohol-related deaths, take a look at this article from ent wellbeing providing an informative summary and infographic on the topic.

 

Death by Drowning

There’s no doubt that Australians and tourists alike love taking advantage of our beautiful beaches and waterways during summer. Whether it be the ocean, river, lake or a pool, it’s important to stay safe as there is a risk of drowning in any body of water, especially if a person doesn’t know how to swim.

A report conducted by Royal Life Saving in 2014 has shown that there have been 735 drowning deaths over a 10 year period between 2002 and 2012. The highest instances of drowning were in rivers.

The state with the highest rate of drownings is New South Wales with 246 deaths, followed by Queensland with 219 deaths over this period. Alcohol was also involved in 37% of these cases.

 

Potentially Avoidable Deaths

Data shows that many deaths in Australia could have been avoided if appropriate preventative measures and treatment options were taken.

ABS statistics show that there were 26,283 preventable or treatable deaths in 2014.

The major examples that fall into this category include particular types of cancers, infections and intentional injuries, just to name a few.

This is why it’s important to keep up with your regular health checks, lead a healthy lifestyle and minimise taking part in dangerous activities where there is a risk of death.

 

External Causes of Death

The ABS shows that 9,136 Australians died of external causes in 2013.

The three leading causes of external death are:

• Accidental deaths – 5,867
• Intentional self-harm – 2,522
• Assault deaths – 216

The top three ways death occurred in this category are:

• Falls – 2,055
• Poisoning – 1,724
• Hanging – 1,608

 

Deaths Around the Home

We all consider our home to be a safe haven, but accidents can happen in our very own home that can lead to death. This article from news.com.au provides an excellent summary of common threats to your life that you’re likely to encounter in your home.

This article and further ABS statistics show that in 2011:

• 715 people died from slipping, tripping and tumbling
• 58 people died from falling out of bed
• 26 died after falling off a chair
• 34 died falling from a ladder
• 59 died from choking on food

 

Other Causes of Death

Some other causes of death worth pointing out from 2011 ABS statistics include:

• 99 people died in water transport accidents
• 26 people died after bein