There are a few common reasons people look to reinstate cover that has stopped, or actively apply for new cover.

Previously declined, lapsed or cancelled cover

Insurance won’t automatically resume if it was:

• declined,
• cancelled by you, or
• lapsed outside the reinstatement window

In these cases, you’ll need to apply for new cover, which involves health questions and insurer approval.

If your cover stopped due to:

• unpaid premiums due to insufficient account balance or
• account inactivity (no contributions for 16 months),

you may be able to reinstate it within a set timeframe (usually 60–90 days, as set out in the policy terms). Additional information can be found in the Insurance Guide.

Life events

Major life events such as starting a family, taking on a mortgage or becoming responsible for other people’s finances can prompt a review of insurance cover. These moments often lead people to consider whether they can restart lapsed cover (subject to the policy timeframes), whether they should increase cover or apply for new cover to ensure protection remains appropriate.

The process depends on how your cover ended and the type of insurance held.

You may be able to restart (reinstate) your cover if it ended due to:

• account inactivity
• insufficient super balance to pay insurance fees

To reinstate, you generally must:

• act within 60–90 days of cancellation,
• meet eligibility and employment conditions,
• pay any owed premiums (where required).

Reinstatement typically restores the same type and amount of cover you previously held, though some restrictions may apply depending on the policy terms.

When cover was previously declined or cancelled, you need to apply for new cover subject to answering questions about your health and the insurer approving your cover. The cover may be subject to limitations and exclusions or loadings. In these cases, members need to make an active election to apply for insurance rather than relying on default insurance settings.

Before you restart cover or apply for new cover, it’s worth weighing up cost and suitability. Premiums are generally deducted from your super balance, and higher cover levels usually mean higher premiums. Over time, this can affect the amount of super you retire with.

Insurance needs and cost calculator

If you want a clearer sense of costs, a calculator can help provide general guidance based on the details you enter.

Australian Ethical offers an online insurance calculator to help you compare cover levels and premiums before deciding whether to restart lapsed cover or adjust your approach.

If you’re thinking about opting in to restart cover or applying for additional or new cover, it’s important to review eligibility requirements and understand how premiums work.