Here are some simple ways to avoid being short-changed by your provider.

James KirbyAssociate Editor - Wealth James Kirby, Associate Editor-Wealth, is one of Australia’s most experienced financial journalists. James hosts The Australian’s twice-weekly Money Puzzle podcast.He is a regular commentator on radio and television, the author of several business biographies and has served on the Walkley Awards Advisory BoardHe was a co-founder and managing editor at Business Spectator and Eureka Report and has previously worked at the Australian Financial Review and the South China Morning Post. Since January 2025 James is a director of Ecstra, the financial literacy foundation.
The common denominator among the recent scandals in Australia’s life insurance industry has been under-informed consumers. That should come as no surprise, as two thirds of Australians don’t even know what they are covered for, according to a 2014 survey conducted by the Financial Services Council.