29+ Years advising Australians
6,000+ Clients across the country
$2.5B Funds under advice
6 Offices nationally
Why advice matters
Insurance is not a product.
It's a strategy.
Most Australians have some form of personal insurance — often default cover held inside their superannuation fund. The problem with default cover is that it's designed for an average person, not for you. It rarely accounts for your actual income, the size of your mortgage, the number of people depending on you, or what would actually happen to your financial plan if you were unable to work for twelve months, or permanently. Insurance advice that's done properly starts with a detailed needs analysis — understanding exactly what gap would need to be filled if the worst happened — and works backwards from there to identify the right type, amount and structure of cover.
AGS advises on the full spectrum of personal insurance: life insurance to protect your estate and clear debts in the event of death; income protection to replace your salary if you're unable to work through illness or injury; total and permanent disablement (TPD) cover to provide a lump sum if you can no longer return to any suitable occupation; and trauma or critical illness cover that pays a benefit on diagnosis of a serious condition, regardless of your ability to work. Each of these serves a different purpose and is triggered by different events — and most people need a combination of them, calibrated carefully to their income, liabilities, estate wishes and existing entitlements.
One of the most important and commonly misunderstood decisions in personal insurance is whether to hold cover inside or outside superannuation. Insurance premiums paid from super are generally funded from pre-tax money, which makes them cash flow efficient — but inside-super policies can have limitations on definitions and benefit payment conditions that matter significantly at claim time. Outside super, premiums are generally not tax deductible for individuals, but definitions tend to be broader and benefits more flexible. The right answer depends on your tax position, your cash flow, and exactly what you're trying to protect. Getting this structuring decision right is a core part of the advice we provide at AGS.
What we cover
Personal insurance areas we advise on
Life insurance
Ensuring the right amount of cover is in place to clear debts, replace income and provide for dependants — structured appropriately for your estate and ownership preferences.
Income protection
Replacing up to 70% of your income if illness or injury prevents you from working — with the right waiting period, benefit period and definition matched to your occupation and cash flow needs.
Total & permanent disablement (TPD)
A lump sum benefit if you are permanently unable to work, providing funds to clear debt, adapt your home or lifestyle, and ensure financial security for your family.
Trauma & critical illness
A lump sum paid on diagnosis of a serious condition such as cancer, heart attack or stroke — providing funds for treatment, recovery time and financial breathing room when you need it most.
Insurance inside superannuation
Reviewing default super fund cover for adequacy and definitions, and assessing whether holding cover inside or outside super is the right approach for your tax and cash flow situation.
Insurance needs analysis
A thorough review of your income, debts, dependants, existing cover and estate objectives — to calculate the actual gap that needs to be covered and build a structure that fills it efficiently.
Who this is for
You may need an insurance review if you are…
- Supporting a family or others who depend on your income to maintain their lifestyle
- Carrying a significant mortgage or business debt that would create hardship if your income stopped
- Self-employed with no employer-funded sick leave or income continuance in the event of illness
- Someone who hasn't reviewed their insurance cover in three or more years
- Unsure whether holding cover inside or outside superannuation is more appropriate for you
- Someone who has recently had a major life change — marriage, children, a new mortgage or a divorce
Is your cover actually doing its job?
Book a conversation with an AGS financial planner to review your current insurance position and identify any gaps or inefficiencies.