What are occupation categories? An occupation category classifies the usual activities of your job – see ‘What it means’ above for a brief description. Different rates apply to different occupation categories because some jobs have more risk attached to them than others. When you apply for insurance with First Super, you could qualify for one of our three occupation categories. Most members with insurance pay the default rate – now known as Blue Collar/manual. This rate applies to all occupations that are not White Collar/non-manual or Professional. The cost of the Blue Collar/manual rate is based on being able to provide quality cover for a typical member.
I think I should have been paying lower rates – can I get a refund? If you have been paying Standard (now Blue Collar/manual) rates and believe you qualify for lower cost premiums, we cannot refund past premiums. However, you can use the Application to Vary Your Insurance Cover Form to apply to change what you pay going forward. Call us if you need a copy of the form mailed to you.
Why does a higher risk job mean higher premiums? We negotiate group rates for insurance on your behalf with our insurer, MetLife. Because we are acting for thousands of people, we have more bargaining power to get you better prices. As part of this arrangement, MetLife calculates the level of risk it’s taking on to insure you. One of these risk factors is your occupation. The more dangerous your job, the more likely you (or your loved one) may one day need to make an insurance claim. The point is not to deny your claim. By charging premiums that factor in your occupation’s level of risk, we can make sure our insurance cover remains accessible and affordable for all members. In the last financial year alone, First Super and MetLife paid out 88% of all insurance claims made by members, totaling around $30 million.
I need to make an insurance claim – what do I do? If you need to make an insurance claim on your First Super cover, we suggest calling our Member Services Team on 1300 360 988 as your first step. Our team is trained to support you through this difficult time and can clearly explain the claims process and any actions you may need to take.
