Retail COVID-19 FAQs

MetLife do not have any specific exclusions in relation to COVID-19, however, if you are applying for new insurances or additional coverage, and you are showing COVID-19 symptoms or if you are considered a high risk medically, we will assess you individually and may adjust the terms and conditions of the insurance we offer to you.

See below for more information about applying for new or additional cover.

MetLife Protect and MetLife Protect Super provides worldwide insurance cover 24 hours a day. If you’re applying for new or additional insurance, you need to disclose any travel arrangements as part of your application. Our underwriting team will assess the application and any travel arrangements and may impose exclusions or restrictions depending on your circumstances.

Likewise, if you have applied and had an underwriting assessment in the past, there may be restrictions applied to your cover relating to travel based on our underwriting assessment at the time.  You can ask us to review any travel restrictions that have been placed on your policy in the past.

The COVID-19 virus is not a defined condition listed under MetLife Trauma Cover. However, you would be eligible to submit a claim under your Trauma Cover if your virus results in a medical condition that is defined and covered, and you meet the definition and any other applicable policy terms.

COVID-19 usually runs its normal course in approximately 14 days. If you are illness and symptom free after 14 days and able to work at your full capacity, you will not meet the Waiting Period requirements under your MetLife Income Cover policy, and a benefit would not be paid.  If the impact of the virus persists past your Waiting Period and you are unable to work at full capacity due to COVID-19, you may be eligible to be paid a benefit under your Income Cover policy.

The current information available suggests most people who contract COVID-19 recover within 14 days and return to their normal activities. The long-term health impacts or complications of COVID-19 remains unclear. If you have long-term permanent health complications resulting from COVID-19, that cause you a permanent inability to continue in the workforce as per the Terms and Conditions of your policy, you may be eligible to be paid a TPD benefit.

Yes, we will honour existing claims which continue to meet your policy terms and conditions. Our teams are still here to support you throughout your claim. Our priority is to continue providing support and service in a timely manner to our customers.

MetLife has developed a Guide to provide you with more clarity around the claims process. It can be found here.

Your COVID-19 vaccination status will not affect the claim assessment. All claims are assessed based on the policy terms and conditions applicable to the insurance cover.

Your COVID-19 vaccination status is not used to assess your health risk during our underwriting assessment. However, we will consider your vaccination status if assessing any overseas travel.

If you have tested positive or suspect you have had COVID-19, and you are asymptomatic (i.e., you have no symptoms), please only apply 14 days after your diagnosis.

If you have tested positive or suspect you have COVID-19 and you are symptomatic, please only apply a minimum of 14 days after your symptoms have fully resolved, including no ongoing respiratory or associated complications, or treatment. We can then assess your application based on the information you provide at that time. Please note, longer periods may apply if you have been hospitalised, experienced symptoms of long-COVID, or have not returned to full work duties.