# Blog ### Welcome to our Special Interest Finance Blog It can be hard to identify who you are and where you want to go if you don't have the right wording to know what's even possible. This is why a lot of good financial advice looks like education. Life insurances, Income Protection, and Estate Planning is all design to support what's important to you and safeguard whoever is family to you. It's an important part of modern life, love and business. Be sure to receive the information and guidance you need to make an educated decision. Browse through our Blog, our 100+ FAQs or contact us for a confidential chat. ![Written by Human Not made by AI - Unusual Risks Insured](https://unusualrisks.com.au/images/logos/Not-made-by-AI-Unusual%20Risks%20Insured-black.png) ![happy baby and parents on the beach](https://unusualrisks.com.au/images/blog/the-first-act-of-parenting-unusual-risks-insured.jpg) ## [ The First Act of Parenting and Why True Surrogacy Protection Starts with Yourselves ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/the-first-act-of-parenting-and-why-true-surrogacy-protection-starts-with-yourselves) ### Protecting the Gift: Why Surrogacy Insurance Starts with the Intended Parents True parental responsibility doesn't begin when your baby is handed to you in the hospital; it starts the moment you decide to bring a child into the world. While ensuring your surrogate is looked after is critical, the first real act of protecting your family ecosystem is securing yourselves first [ Read more … ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/the-first-act-of-parenting-and-why-true-surrogacy-protection-starts-with-yourselves) - 👶 Modern Family, IVF & Surrogacy Frameworks ![handsome bearded guy at the beach with his favourite surfboard](https://unusualrisks.com.au/images/blog/12-month-countdown-approaching-unusualrisks-insured.jpg) ## [ The 12-Month Countdown and Why the HIV Medical Miracle is Meeting a Financial Wall ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/the-12-month-countdown-and-why-the-hiv-medical-miracle-is-meeting-a-financial-wall) ### The Clinical Mystery: Why the Medical Miracle is Facing a Financial Lockout For decades, we have watched a biological miracle unfold: the transformation of HIV from a terminal diagnosis to a manageable chronic condition. It's a story of advocacy, innovation, big data and constant persuasion. We now have long-acting injectables that replace the daily grind of pills, and twice-yearly preventative treatments like Lenacapavir, that act as a biological shield almost unheard of a generation ago. [ Read more … ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/the-12-month-countdown-and-why-the-hiv-medical-miracle-is-meeting-a-financial-wall) - 🩸 Clinical, PrEP & Blood-Borne Risk Underwriting ![Attractive male sleeping with white tee-shirt with CPAP mask](https://unusualrisks.com.au/images/blog/getting-life-and-disability-insurance-when-youre-living-with-sleep-apnea-unusual-risks-insured.jpg) ## [ Getting Life and Disability Insurance when you're living with Sleep Apnea ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/getting-life-and-disability-insurance-when-youre-living-with-sleep-apnea) ### Getting Life insurance while living and working with with Sleep Apnea Sleep Apnea is a condition where your breathing stops and starts while you sleep. In Australia, an estimated 5% of the population has sleep apnoea, translating into approximately 1 in 20 Australians being affected. [ Read more … ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/getting-life-and-disability-insurance-when-youre-living-with-sleep-apnea) - 🍏 Metabolic & Chronic Health Protection ![medical gloved hand holding with marijuana leaf](https://unusualrisks.com.au/images/blog/Tips-for-Applying-for-Life-Insurance-While-Using-Cannabis-Oil-Unusual-Risks-Insured.jpg) ## [ Applying for Life Insurance When Using Cannabis Oil ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/applying-for-life-insurance-when-using-cannabis-oil) ### How Does Cannabis Oil (CBD Oil) Affect Your Life Insurance Application? Have you ever been at a BBQ with friends and heard the question asked, 'Can a person get life insurance if they use Cannabis Oil?' Its a really good question so here's our really good answer. [ Read more … ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/applying-for-life-insurance-when-using-cannabis-oil) - 🍏 Metabolic & Chronic Health Protection ![Good looking young man deep in thought about breaking up with his de facto partner](https://unusualrisks.com.au/images/blog/can-i-break-up-with-my-de-facto-via-sms-unusual-risks-insured.jpg) ## [ Can I break up with my de facto via SMS? ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/can-i-break-up-with-my-de-facto-via-sms) ### Can I break up with my de facto via SMS? Well, when it came to $1,120,000 from a Super Binding Death Nomination, either way the court has said, ‘you can't end a de facto relationship over a TXT message' (sent to your sister)’. [ Read more … ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/can-i-break-up-with-my-de-facto-via-sms) - 💬 Life, Law & Community Insights ![young man looking out a window and thinking](https://unusualrisks.com.au/images/blog/what-has-sexuality-got-to-do-with-a-life-insurance-application-unusual-risks-insured.jpg) ## [ What has sexuality got to do with a life insurance application? ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/what-has-sexuality-got-to-do-with-a-life-insurance-application) ### What has sexuality got to do with a Life Insurance application? ### The simple answer is — **Not much**. The honest answer is — **A lot more than you'd think** - Life Insurance companies traditionally haven't designed their products and services with LGBTQIA+ people in mind and tend not to consider the needs of diverse communities. Research shows when service providers assume their clients are heterosexual and use heterosexist language, this can result in discomfort, alienation, and even ongoing discrimination against a significant part of the broader Australian community, their families, and friends. [ Read more … ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/what-has-sexuality-got-to-do-with-a-life-insurance-application) - 💬 Life, Law & Community Insights ![a fabulous member of the LGBTIQA+ community celebrating Mardi Gras](https://unusualrisks.com.au/images/blog/happy-sydney-mardi-gras-2024-unusual-risks-insured.jpg) ## [ Happy Sydney Mardi Gras 2024 ! ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/happy-sydney-mardi-gras-2024) ### To Our Clients, Friends & Supporters – have a fabulous time at the Sydney 2024 Mardi Gras! **Unusual Risks Insured continues to celebrate You and** is committed to serving the LGBTQIA+ Community and its Allies (today and every day of the year). [ Read more … ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/happy-sydney-mardi-gras-2024) - 💬 Life, Law & Community Insights ![three smiling women of different ages wearing colourful pink sportswear](https://unusualrisks.com.au/images/blog/getting-life-insurance-when-youre-living-with-an-ms-diagnosis-unusuial-risks.jpg) ## [ Getting Life Insurance when you're living with an MS diagnosis ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/getting-life-insurance-when-youre-living-with-an-ms-diagnosis) ### Are you living with a hidden complex health condition? It's time for a fresh look at living with a multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis and getting your life insurance sorted. MS affects approximately 2,5 million people worldwide, but when you live with multiple sclerosis (MS), it may already feel tough to relate to people who don’t have the condition. As people with an often hidden condition, they face challenges because of their disability but if they're also identifying as LGBTQIA+ the 'double whammy' of feeling like a “minority within a minority” can feel like more discrimination. [ Read more … ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/getting-life-insurance-when-youre-living-with-an-ms-diagnosis) - 🍏 Metabolic & Chronic Health Protection ![young man wearing an adhesive continuous glucose monitor (CGM) sensor to manage his insulin needs](https://unusualrisks.com.au/images/blog/Everyone-needs-to-know-more-about-Diabetes-unusual-risks-insured.jpg) ## [ Reduce Your Risk of Type 2 Diabetes - Move More, Eat Mindfully, Stay Hydrated ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/world-diabetes-awareness-day-november-14) ### The Diabetes Dilemma & Life Insurance Did you know the fastest growing chronic health condition in Australia, can be prevented? November 14 is World Diabetes Day and we believe that everyone needs to better understand this growing health condition. [ Read more … ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/world-diabetes-awareness-day-november-14) - 🍏 Metabolic & Chronic Health Protection ![middle aged man about to test for blood sugar with diabetic testing pen](https://unusualrisks.com.au/images/blog/newly-diagnioses-with-diabetes-unusual-risks-insured.jpg) ## [ Are you newly diagnosed with diabetes? ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/are-you-newly-diagnosed-with-diabetes) ### A type 2 diabetes diagnosis can feel overwhelming, to say the least. And while many of us may have a general idea of what this disease is, there’s a lot of misunderstanding surrounding what it means for the future for a person newly diagnosed with diabetes, and their families. [ Read more … ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/are-you-newly-diagnosed-with-diabetes) - 🍏 Metabolic & Chronic Health Protection ![](https://unusualrisks.com.au/images/blog/where-you-first-began-treatments-matters-to-a-life-insurance-company-unusual-risks-insured.jpg) ## [ Did you know where you first began treatments matters to a life insurance company ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/did-you-know-where-you-first-began-treatments-matters-to-a-life-insurance-company) ### Where did you first start treatments? ### For people living with HIV this is now a new important question asked in a Life Insurance application. This year 2023, will mark 42 years since the first five cases of persons with *pneumocystis carinii pneumonia* in Los Angeles, California – which later became known as GRID, then AIDS – were officially reported to health authorities. Later it was discovered HIV is the virus that causes acquired AIDS, and so began the medical quest to stop HIV replication from person to person that continues today. [ Read more … ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/did-you-know-where-you-first-began-treatments-matters-to-a-life-insurance-company) - 🩸 Clinical, PrEP & Blood-Borne Risk Underwriting ![sexy legs in high heels](https://unusualrisks.com.au/images/blog/Happy-Sydney-Mardi-Gras-2023-from-your-friends-at-unusual-risks-insured.jpg) ## [ Happy Sydney Mardi Gras 2023! ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/happy-sydney-mardi-gras-2023) ### To all our Clients, Friends & Supporters - have a fabulous time at the Sydney Mardi Gras & Word Pride 2023 celebrating you! - For over 20 years the team behind Unusual Risks Insured has quietly served Australia's Diverse Community of LGBTQIA+ folk and our Allies. - We continue to stand by our friends and Community and we're here for you, all year round actually (not just for Mardi Gras ;) ) [ Read more … ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/happy-sydney-mardi-gras-2023) - 💬 Life, Law & Community Insights ![fireman holding his helmet smiling](https://unusualrisks.com.au/images/blog/taking-prep-to-look-after-yourself-and-your-mates.jpg) ## [ Taking PrEP to look after yourself and your mates ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/taking-prep-to-look-after-yourself-and-your-mates) ### Taking PrEP to look after yourself and your mates ### Looking after yourself and your mates is one of the key motivators behind people learning more about whether taking PrEP medication is right for them and their situation. ### Taking care of the riskier parts of life (and work) While most occupations have some low-level risk involved (ranging from papercuts to tripping over computer cables, to working with power tools or falling down mine shafts) some occupations have additional exposure risks to needlestick and sharps injuries - and if that's your occupation, you need to know about your PrEP and Income Protection insurance options. [ Read more … ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/taking-prep-to-look-after-yourself-and-your-mates) - 🩸 Clinical, PrEP & Blood-Borne Risk Underwriting ![attractive young man and his puppy](https://unusualrisks.com.au/images/blog/do-i-need-life-insurance-if-i-am-single-and-lgbtqi-unusual-risks-insured.jpg) ## [ Do I need life insurance if I'm Single and LGBTQIA+? ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/do-i-need-life-insurance-if-i-am-single-and-lgbtqi) ### Do I need life insurance if I'm Single and LGBTQIA+? ### The answer is probably Yes, and here's why Many LGBTQIA+ singles are taking control of their own lives and getting their Life Insurance sorted sooner than many of their straight allies, who traditionally risk leaving such important decisions until they’re married with children. And that’s because LGBTQIA+ folk often face more unique challenges than our straight friends. Many LGBTQIA+ people understand the importance of having their own Income Protection insurance in place because it helps protect their ability to continue to earn an income, to live, to love (and to party). However many LGBTQIA+ people have additional Life Insurance needs and challenges. [ Read more … ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/do-i-need-life-insurance-if-i-am-single-and-lgbtqi) - 🌈 Pride, Legacy & Relationship Advocacy ![spoilt small dog wearing feather boa s to match their happy owner](https://unusualrisks.com.au/images/blog/Pets-their-owners-and-the-rise-of-the-fur-baby-unusual-risks-insured.jpg) ## [ Pets, their owners and the rise of the fur baby ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/pets-their-owners-and-the-rise-of-the-fur-baby) ### What's the plan for your Pets, if you're no longer here? One of the more endearing traits of humanity is our ability to love who we love and our powerful drive to provide for those that we do. While love knows no gender, it's also a fact our affections regularly cross the species barrier with Australians having one of the largest Pet ownership rates in the world, with three in five Australian households - or 5.9 million - having a Pet. - Today 61% of Australian households have a Pet - Dogs are the most popular Pet, with 37% of households owning a dog - Cats are the second most popular Pet, with 31% of households owning a cat [ Read more … ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/pets-their-owners-and-the-rise-of-the-fur-baby) - 👶 Modern Family, IVF & Surrogacy Frameworks ![fun mother and daughter enjoying crafts](https://unusualrisks.com.au/images/blog/why-single-parents-need-life-insurance-too-unusual-risks-insured.jpg) ## [ Why Single parents need Life Insurance too ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/why-single-parents-need-life-insurance-too) ### If you're parenting solo, it’s twice as important to plan ### We all know too well that raising a child in a two-parent household is tough - but raising a child solo is a whole different ball game! And it's a responsibility more and more Australian parents are taking on. [ Read more … ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/why-single-parents-need-life-insurance-too) - 👶 Modern Family, IVF & Surrogacy Frameworks ![shirtless man holding his partners hand walking on the beach](https://unusualrisks.com.au/images/blog/the-problem-of-becoming-uninsurable-it-happens-before-you-know-it-unusual-risks-insured.jpg) ## [ The Problem of Becoming Uninsurable - It Happens Before You Know It ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/the-problem-of-becoming-uninsurable-it-happens-before-you-know-it) ### Life Insurances are important financial tools that help us manage the ups and downs of life, love and business. It's an easy way to safeguard our unpredictable futures, just in case. But delaying important decisions and continually 'waiting for a convenient time' to get these important parts of life in place - is a risk as we all over time can **become uninsurable** for a variety of reasons. But some health conditions can be unexpected, unpredictable and then uninsurable - and that can create a significant equally unexpected problem for many people. [ Read more … ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/the-problem-of-becoming-uninsurable-it-happens-before-you-know-it) - 🛡️ Uninsurability Containment & Asset Insulation ![](https://unusualrisks.com.au/images/blog/happy-sydney-mardi-gras-2022-unusual-risks-insured.jpg) ## [ Happy Sydney Mardi Gras 2022! ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/happy-sydney-mardi-gras-2022) ### To all our Clients, Friends & Supporters - have a fabulous time at the Sydney 2022 Mardi Gras celebrating you! - Unusual Risks Insured is committed to serving the LGBTQIA+ Community and its Allies, we stand by our friends and Community and we're here for you, all year round (not just for Mardi Gras ;) ) [ Read more … ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/happy-sydney-mardi-gras-2022) - 💬 Life, Law & Community Insights ![pregnant mother to be holding an ultrasound photo](https://unusualrisks.com.au/images/blog/when-to-arrange-intended-parent-and-surrogate-life-insurances-unusual-risks-insured.jpg) ## [ When to arrange Intended Parent and Surrogate Life Insurances chart ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/when-to-arrange-intended-parent-and-surrogate-life-insurances-chart) ### The complexity that can be IVF and Surrogacy Agreements. ### When working through any complex process, getting the timing right is often the key to success. And that's never more true than for folks using IVF treatments as part of Growing Families. [ Read more … ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/when-to-arrange-intended-parent-and-surrogate-life-insurances-chart) - 👶 Modern Family, IVF & Surrogacy Frameworks ![young people running in water](https://unusualrisks.com.au/images/blog/how-much-life-insurance-cover-do-i-need-unusual-risks-insured.jpg) ## [ How much life insurance cover do I need? ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/how-much-life-insurance-cover-do-i-need) ### This question has always intrigued me because it sounds similar to the equally difficult-to-answer question, ‘how long is a piece of string?’ ### I suppose the answer is, ‘as long as it needs to be and as much as you need to have’. But that's probably not going to move the answer along much, so here is a good place to start your thinking. [ Read more … ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/how-much-life-insurance-cover-do-i-need) - 💬 Life, Law & Community Insights Page 1 of 3