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Child Trauma Cover

Ten Australian products, compared against their current PDS wording.

Ten child trauma insurance products, read against the insurers’ current Product Disclosure Statements rather than their marketing. They look interchangeable in a brochure. In the contract they are not — and the differences sit in exactly the places a claim turns on. This is an assessment of contract terms, not advice to buy anything.

Last verified:

Insurability is the real product

A lump sum during a childhood illness helps. What a family cannot buy later at any price is insurability for a child who has had leukaemia or a brain tumour. Every one of these products offers some version of that, and every one offers a different version. Conversion age ranges from 15 to 23. What it converts to ranges from trauma-only cover to full life plus comprehensive trauma. One product offers no conversion right at all.

A paid claim ends the conversion right

The cover ends when the full benefit is paid, and the conversion right ends with it. Three insurers state this expressly; for the rest it follows from the clause that ends the cover. Either way the outcome is the same — the child diagnosed at nine receives the lump sum and is then uninsurable. It is the most commonly misunderstood feature of the product.

What happens when the parent dies varies completely

Of the products open to new business, three simply end. One gives the surviving parent 60 days to move the cover. Two let it continue. Two are unaffected, one of them because the child holds their own policy rather than a rider on a parent’s. This is structural rather than a definitional nicety, and it appears in none of the marketing material reviewed.

The comparison

Ordered by how the products stand on terms, strongest first — an assessment, not a ranking anyone else publishes. Sort and filter to your own question. It is an assessment of contract terms, not advice to buy anything.

Showing all ten products.

Sorted by assessed standing.

Child trauma cover products compared. Use the column buttons to sort; each row expands to show its source.
Structure Qualifying period Converts to If the parent dies Watch for
ClearViewClearChoice Child Cover Rider only. Non-super. Unlimited children. 12 months → 21 $200,000 38 90 days, 5 conditions Life ± TPD ± Trauma at 21. No further medical evidence. ContinuesContinuation of Cover Benefit. Zurich acquisition completed 20 August 2026 — rationalisation risk.
Structure
Rider only. Non-super. Unlimited children.
Conversion age
21
Survival period
14 days
Congenital exclusion
None
If the parent dies
Continuation of Cover Benefit.

Source ClearView ClearChoice Combined PDS, 13 May 2024, with the June 2025 web update Confirmed

OneCareOnePath / Zurich Rider. Non-super. Stepped premiums only. Grandparents may own. 2 years → 21 $200,000 18 90 days, cancer and stroke. Waivable on replacement. Life + Trauma Comprehensive / Severity at 21. The broadest landing point found. ContinuesChild takes ownership, from age 10. Early-stage CLL exclusion absent from the wording — to be verified.
Structure
Rider. Non-super. Stepped premiums only. Grandparents may own.
Conversion age
21
Survival period
None stated
Congenital exclusion
None
If the parent dies
Child takes ownership, from age 10.

Source OneCare PDS and Policy Terms, 30 March 2026 To verify

ZurichChild Cover The child's own policy, not a rider. Non-super. 2 years → 18 $500,000 18 90 days, cancer and stroke. A permanent bar, not a deferral. Death + trauma, any anniversary from age 15. Smoker status only. UnaffectedThe child holds the policy. Earliest expiry at 18. Harshest qualifying-period wording in the market.
Structure
The child's own policy, not a rider. Non-super.
Conversion age
from 15
Survival period
14 days on the excess over $200,000 only
Congenital exclusion
None
If the parent dies
The child holds the policy.

Source Zurich Wealth Protection PDS and policy conditions, 1 November 2025 Confirmed

TALChild's Critical Illness Standalone or rider. Non-super. 2 years (ANB) → 23 $200,000 21 3 months, 4 conditions. No replacement waiver. Life + CI Standard, within 30 days of plan end. Smoking, height, weight and occupation reassessed. UnaffectedNot a plan-end trigger. $250,000 cap aggregated across TAL and all other insurers.
Structure
Standalone or rider. Non-super.
Conversion age
≈23
Survival period
None stated
Congenital exclusion
None
If the parent dies
Not a plan-end trigger.

Source TAL Accelerated Protection Combined PDS and Policy Document, 12 December 2025 Inferred

NEOSChild Cover Rider — parent must hold Life, TPD or CI. Non-super. 2 years → 19 $200,000 22 90 days, 3 conditions. Waivable on replacement. Life ± CI at 18–19. No medical evidence and no rating factors. 60-day window60 days for the other parent or guardian to move it, without medical evidence. Earliest expiry of the mainstream group. Carries both congenital and pre-existing exclusions.
Structure
Rider — parent must hold Life, TPD or CI. Non-super.
Conversion age
18–19
Survival period
None stated
Congenital exclusion
Yes
If the parent dies
60 days for the other parent or guardian to move it, without medical evidence.

Source NEOS Protection PDS, 6 December 2024 Confirmed

AIAPriority Protection — Family Protection Rider only. Non-super. Maximum 10 children. 2 years → 21 $200,000 24 3 months, including cancer. Crisis Recovery Stand Alone only — trauma, with no life cover. Child must initiate within 30 days. EndsNo continuation mechanism. Congenital conditions excluded until the child's 10th birthday — no peer applies one in that form.
Structure
Rider only. Non-super. Maximum 10 children.
Conversion age
21
Survival period
None stated
Congenital exclusion
to age 10
If the parent dies
No continuation mechanism.

Source AIA Priority Protection PDS and Policy Document, Version 33, 31 August 2026 Confirmed

AcendaChild Critical Illness (formerly MLC) Rider only. Non-super. Maximum 5 children. 3 years (ANB) → 21 $200,000 26 3 months, 4 conditions. Life + CI, exercisable 18–21. Expressly void if a claim was paid. EndsNo continuation mechanism. Pre-existing condition exclusion applies. Cover ends on the parent's death.
Structure
Rider only. Non-super. Maximum 5 children.
Conversion age
18–21
Survival period
None stated
Congenital exclusion
None
If the parent dies
No continuation mechanism.

Source Acenda Insurance and Acenda Insurance (Super) PDS, 27 September 2025, and Supplementary PDS Confirmed

MetLifeChild Cover Extras Rider on the parent's Trauma cover. No child underwriting. When the parent turns 65 $50,000 6 90 days, all conditions. Nothing. There is no conversion right. EndsNo continuation mechanism. Six conditions and a $50,000 cap — a different product category despite the similar name.
Structure
Rider on the parent's Trauma cover. No child underwriting.
Conversion age
No conversion right
Survival period
None stated
Congenital exclusion
None
If the parent dies
No continuation mechanism.

Source MetLife Protect and MetLife Protect Super Combined PDS, 16 November 2025 Confirmed

Resolution LifeChildren's Trauma OptionClosed Rider. Non-super. Not published → 21 $200,000 38 90 days, 8 conditions. Trauma, or Life + Trauma, ages 16–21. Hard stop at 21. EndsNo continuation mechanism. Not placeable for a new client.
Availability
Available to existing Resolution Life customers only.
Structure
Rider. Non-super.
Conversion age
16–21
Survival period
None stated
Congenital exclusion
None
If the parent dies
No continuation mechanism.

Source Resolution Life Elevate Insurance PDS, with the October 2025 product update Not published

AIATailored Protection Child CoverClosed Rider. Non-super. 3 years (ANB) → 18 $250,000 37 90 days, 6 conditions. Death + trauma, 30 days before expiry. EndsNo continuation mechanism. Appears in older comparison material as though it were still available.
Availability
Closed to new business 31 March 2020. Existing Total Care Plan policies only.
Structure
Rider. Non-super.
Conversion age
18
Survival period
None stated
Congenital exclusion
None
If the parent dies
No continuation mechanism.

Source AIA Tailored Protection Combined PDS and Policy Document, 26 October 2022, and the closure notice Confirmed

  • ClearViewClearChoice Child Cover

    ContinuesContinuation of Cover Benefit.

    Structure
    Rider only. Non-super. Unlimited children.
    Entry → expiry
    12 months → 21
    Max cover
    $200,000
    Conditions
    38
    Qualifying period
    90 days, 5 conditions
    Converts to
    Life ± TPD ± Trauma at 21. No further medical evidence.
    Watch for
    Zurich acquisition completed 20 August 2026 — rationalisation risk.
    Structure
    Rider only. Non-super. Unlimited children.
    Conversion age
    21
    Survival period
    14 days
    Congenital exclusion
    None
    If the parent dies
    Continuation of Cover Benefit.

    Source ClearView ClearChoice Combined PDS, 13 May 2024, with the June 2025 web update Confirmed

  • OneCareOnePath / Zurich

    ContinuesChild takes ownership, from age 10.

    Structure
    Rider. Non-super. Stepped premiums only. Grandparents may own.
    Entry → expiry
    2 years → 21
    Max cover
    $200,000
    Conditions
    18
    Qualifying period
    90 days, cancer and stroke. Waivable on replacement.
    Converts to
    Life + Trauma Comprehensive / Severity at 21. The broadest landing point found.
    Watch for
    Early-stage CLL exclusion absent from the wording — to be verified.
    Structure
    Rider. Non-super. Stepped premiums only. Grandparents may own.
    Conversion age
    21
    Survival period
    None stated
    Congenital exclusion
    None
    If the parent dies
    Child takes ownership, from age 10.

    Source OneCare PDS and Policy Terms, 30 March 2026 To verify

  • ZurichChild Cover

    UnaffectedThe child holds the policy.

    Structure
    The child's own policy, not a rider. Non-super.
    Entry → expiry
    2 years → 18
    Max cover
    $500,000
    Conditions
    18
    Qualifying period
    90 days, cancer and stroke. A permanent bar, not a deferral.
    Converts to
    Death + trauma, any anniversary from age 15. Smoker status only.
    Watch for
    Earliest expiry at 18. Harshest qualifying-period wording in the market.
    Structure
    The child's own policy, not a rider. Non-super.
    Conversion age
    from 15
    Survival period
    14 days on the excess over $200,000 only
    Congenital exclusion
    None
    If the parent dies
    The child holds the policy.

    Source Zurich Wealth Protection PDS and policy conditions, 1 November 2025 Confirmed

  • TALChild's Critical Illness

    UnaffectedNot a plan-end trigger.

    Structure
    Standalone or rider. Non-super.
    Entry → expiry
    2 years (ANB) → 23
    Max cover
    $200,000
    Conditions
    21
    Qualifying period
    3 months, 4 conditions. No replacement waiver.
    Converts to
    Life + CI Standard, within 30 days of plan end. Smoking, height, weight and occupation reassessed.
    Watch for
    $250,000 cap aggregated across TAL and all other insurers.
    Structure
    Standalone or rider. Non-super.
    Conversion age
    ≈23
    Survival period
    None stated
    Congenital exclusion
    None
    If the parent dies
    Not a plan-end trigger.

    Source TAL Accelerated Protection Combined PDS and Policy Document, 12 December 2025 Inferred

  • NEOSChild Cover

    60-day window60 days for the other parent or guardian to move it, without medical evidence.

    Structure
    Rider — parent must hold Life, TPD or CI. Non-super.
    Entry → expiry
    2 years → 19
    Max cover
    $200,000
    Conditions
    22
    Qualifying period
    90 days, 3 conditions. Waivable on replacement.
    Converts to
    Life ± CI at 18–19. No medical evidence and no rating factors.
    Watch for
    Earliest expiry of the mainstream group. Carries both congenital and pre-existing exclusions.
    Structure
    Rider — parent must hold Life, TPD or CI. Non-super.
    Conversion age
    18–19
    Survival period
    None stated
    Congenital exclusion
    Yes
    If the parent dies
    60 days for the other parent or guardian to move it, without medical evidence.

    Source NEOS Protection PDS, 6 December 2024 Confirmed

  • AIAPriority Protection — Family Protection

    EndsNo continuation mechanism.

    Structure
    Rider only. Non-super. Maximum 10 children.
    Entry → expiry
    2 years → 21
    Max cover
    $200,000
    Conditions
    24
    Qualifying period
    3 months, including cancer.
    Converts to
    Crisis Recovery Stand Alone only — trauma, with no life cover. Child must initiate within 30 days.
    Watch for
    Congenital conditions excluded until the child's 10th birthday — no peer applies one in that form.
    Structure
    Rider only. Non-super. Maximum 10 children.
    Conversion age
    21
    Survival period
    None stated
    Congenital exclusion
    to age 10
    If the parent dies
    No continuation mechanism.

    Source AIA Priority Protection PDS and Policy Document, Version 33, 31 August 2026 Confirmed

  • AcendaChild Critical Illness (formerly MLC)

    EndsNo continuation mechanism.

    Structure
    Rider only. Non-super. Maximum 5 children.
    Entry → expiry
    3 years (ANB) → 21
    Max cover
    $200,000
    Conditions
    26
    Qualifying period
    3 months, 4 conditions.
    Converts to
    Life + CI, exercisable 18–21. Expressly void if a claim was paid.
    Watch for
    Pre-existing condition exclusion applies. Cover ends on the parent's death.
    Structure
    Rider only. Non-super. Maximum 5 children.
    Conversion age
    18–21
    Survival period
    None stated
    Congenital exclusion
    None
    If the parent dies
    No continuation mechanism.

    Source Acenda Insurance and Acenda Insurance (Super) PDS, 27 September 2025, and Supplementary PDS Confirmed

  • MetLifeChild Cover Extras

    EndsNo continuation mechanism.

    Structure
    Rider on the parent's Trauma cover. No child underwriting.
    Entry → expiry
    When the parent turns 65
    Max cover
    $50,000
    Conditions
    6
    Qualifying period
    90 days, all conditions.
    Converts to
    Nothing. There is no conversion right.
    Watch for
    Six conditions and a $50,000 cap — a different product category despite the similar name.
    Structure
    Rider on the parent's Trauma cover. No child underwriting.
    Conversion age
    No conversion right
    Survival period
    None stated
    Congenital exclusion
    None
    If the parent dies
    No continuation mechanism.

    Source MetLife Protect and MetLife Protect Super Combined PDS, 16 November 2025 Confirmed

  • Resolution LifeChildren's Trauma Option

    Closed

    EndsNo continuation mechanism.

    Structure
    Rider. Non-super.
    Entry → expiry
    Not published → 21
    Max cover
    $200,000
    Conditions
    38
    Qualifying period
    90 days, 8 conditions.
    Converts to
    Trauma, or Life + Trauma, ages 16–21. Hard stop at 21.
    Watch for
    Not placeable for a new client.
    Availability
    Available to existing Resolution Life customers only.
    Structure
    Rider. Non-super.
    Conversion age
    16–21
    Survival period
    None stated
    Congenital exclusion
    None
    If the parent dies
    No continuation mechanism.

    Source Resolution Life Elevate Insurance PDS, with the October 2025 product update Not published

  • AIATailored Protection Child Cover

    Closed

    EndsNo continuation mechanism.

    Structure
    Rider. Non-super.
    Entry → expiry
    3 years (ANB) → 18
    Max cover
    $250,000
    Conditions
    37
    Qualifying period
    90 days, 6 conditions.
    Converts to
    Death + trauma, 30 days before expiry.
    Watch for
    Appears in older comparison material as though it were still available.
    Availability
    Closed to new business 31 March 2020. Existing Total Care Plan policies only.
    Structure
    Rider. Non-super.
    Conversion age
    18
    Survival period
    None stated
    Congenital exclusion
    None
    If the parent dies
    No continuation mechanism.

    Source AIA Tailored Protection Combined PDS and Policy Document, 26 October 2022, and the closure notice Confirmed

What the confidence markers mean

Confirmed
Stated expressly in the current PDS.
Inferred
Follows from reading two clauses together rather than from express wording.
To verify
A term that still needs confirming with the insurer.
Not published
Not stated in the PDS, the product flyer, the application form or the adviser guide.

Method and limits

Every figure was taken from the insurer’s current Product Disclosure Statement, listed with its date in each expanded row. Where a term could not be confirmed from a primary source it is marked rather than filled in from how these products usually work.

Three things could not be found, and their absence is worth stating. No insurer publishes child cover premium rates — they are excluded from PDS documents by design and supplied to advisers on request. No claims data isolates child cover: APRA reports trauma as a single aggregate combining adult and child claims. And no ASIC guidance addresses child cover specifically.

This page is research into product terms. It is not financial product advice, it takes no account of any individual’s objectives, financial situation or needs, and it is not a substitute for reading the current PDS and policy document. Product terms, availability and pricing change without notice.

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