Funeral Insurance FAQs

The Youpla Group, also known as the Aboriginal Community Benefit Fund (ACBF) sold insurance policies to First Nations people and went into liquidation in March 2022.

To help the families of fund members affected by the collapse, the Australian Government is running a support program for those affected.

Youpla Support Program (valid from 1 July 2024)

The Youpla Support Program commenced on 1 July 2024 and will continue until 30 June 2026.

Eligible recipients will not need to apply or register, Services Australia will make contact by phone.

It may take some time for Services Australia to contact everyone. If a request is urgent, please contact Services Australia or if you think Services Australia may not have your up-to-date contact details you can contact Services Australia and update this information.

Key things to note about the Youpla Support Program:

• You may be eligible for a payment through the program if you paid for an ACBF/Youpla funeral fund on or after 1 August 2015 and have not received a previous payment.
• The program will pay 60% of the amount paid for your policy, up to the total value of the policy (whichever is lower).
• If a payment is $1000 or more, you will be able to choose between putting the payment into a funeral bond to pay for Sorry Business, or a lump sum payment into your bank account.
• Financial counselling will be available to help you make the choice.

The initiative follows the interim Youpla Group Funeral Benefits Program, which closed on 30 June 2024 and allowed the families of former members to claim a grant to cover immediate funeral expenses.

Need further assistance?

1. For more information about the Youpla Support Program, go to niaa.gov.au/Youpla or call Services Australia on 1800 136 380.
2. If this has brought up hard feelings, you can call 13YARN (13 92 76) for a private yarn with a First Nations supporter. They will take the time to listen with no shame of judgment.
3. If you have any questions about your APIA Funeral policy and you are a Youpla customer, we can assist you in discussing any options you may wish to consider and answer your questions. While we are unable to give you personal advice which considers your own individual situation or needs, we can let you know options you may wish to think about. Please contact us on youplaenquiryapia@apialifeinsurance.com.au.

Note: This information is current as at 10th October 2024 and is based on information available at that date from the relevant Government websites.

Funeral Insurance and Funeral Plans are two different approaches to covering funeral expenses. While Funeral Insurance offers a lump sum payout to your beneficiaries upon your passing, you pay a premium on a regular basis (fortnightly, monthly, or annually) and choose the benefit amount they will receive. On the other hand, Funeral Plans are a pre-payment option that requires you to plan and pay for your funeral ahead of time. This typically involves a non-refundable upfront deposit, followed by regular payment instalments.

Stepped premiums are calculated according to your age, gender and the sum insured each year your policy renews. This means you can begin by paying lower premiums and then every year your premiums will increase as you get older.

Apia’s Funeral Insurance only offers level premiums – the premium you pay when you first take out the policy is based on your age at the time you started the cover. This is likely to remain the same for the life of the policy, unless you make changes to it or the underlying premium rates are changed by the insurer. However, you will never be singled out for a premium rate increase.

A Level premium is the amount you pay when you take out your policy. It’s determined by your age, gender, and the sum insured amount. Apia Funeral Insurance only offers level premiums.

Although your initial premium will be higher than a stepped premium, it won’t increase each year, unless you make changes to your policy or the underlying premium rates are changed by the insurer.

Apia Funeral Insurance’s Value Promise means the following will be paid in relation to a valid claim - the Funeral Insurance cover amount, plus any Bonus Cover, or 100% or 70% of the total Funeral Insurance premiums paid, depending on the option selected – whichever is greater.

The Value Promise option you have selected will be shown in your policy schedule and will apply for the life of the policy.

Once you’re over the age of 85, the Early Payment Benefit lets you either keep your cover and continue to pay premiums for it, or cash it in early to receive an immediate payout of 120% of your average funeral cover.

Yes, you can nominate beneficiaries to receive the Funeral Benefit, which is the lump sum paid out at claim time. If you choose not to nominate anyone as your beneficiary, any benefit payable will be paid to the policy owner or to your estate.

Yes, you can include multiple people on your funeral policy. Covering two or more people on the single policy means there’s only a single policy number, less paperwork and a 5% multi-life discount. The multi-life discount doesn’t apply to the optional Accidental Death Cover.

Yes.  The person who pays the Funeral Insurance benefit doesn’t have to be the person who is insured.

Yes, if you choose to do this, one owner will keep the existing policy and a new policy will be issued for the other policyholder.

The Funeral Benefit will not be paid if the life insured passes away in the first 12 months of the policy for any reason other than an accidental death.

If a life insured dies during the first 12 months of cover from any cause other than accidental death, APIA will pay a benefit amount equal to the Funeral Insurance premiums you’ve paid for that life insured.

Yes. Here are some discounts available on Apia Funeral Insurance:

• 5% multi-life discount when there is more than one life insured on the policy, and
• 5% loyalty discount after 10 years, or from the policy anniversary after your 84th birthday, whichever happens first.

Please note: The multi-life discount doesn’t apply to the optional Accidental Death Cover.

You can choose to pay your Apia Funeral Insurance premiums in a way that best suits you and your finances. You have the option of paying your premium fortnightly, monthly or yearly.

If you wish to make a claim on your Funeral Insurance policy, the policy owner, nominated beneficiary, or legal personal representative can contact the Apia Funeral Insurance team on 13 50 50.  A claim form will be provided, which will need to be completed and then returned.

Yes, Australian and New Zealand Citizens and permanent residents residing in Australia can apply for this insurance policy. 

Yes, if you can meet all the requirements of your policy, you’ll be paid your benefit.

Yes, you can. Get your quote online today.

For customers who pay by direct debit or credit card, a statement will be sent to you prior to your policy anniversary. If you’re happy with everything, then you won’t need to do anything further.

If you receive your anniversary statement and find any problems, or want to update any details, simply contact the Apia Funeral Insurance team.

For questions regarding payments or renewals, please call  13 50 50 (within Australia) or +61 2 4331 2024 (from overseas). Help can also be provided.

The Life Insurance Code of Practice is a series of mandatory customer service standards that all life insurers need to comply with. These standards cover sales and marketing practices, underwriting and claims and are designed to protect you.

Health insurance does not cover funeral expenses because its benefits are intended for expenses related to your health and wellbeing. If you pass away, there is usually no benefit from health insurance to help with funeral costs and other related expenses. On the other hand, Funeral insurance can provide a lump sum benefit that your loved ones can use to cover the expenses associated with your funeral.