#  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)

  ![a beautiful young girl carried by her fabulous father](https://unusualrisks.com.au/images/blog/why-you-should-buy-life-insurance-for-your-co-parent-or-ex-partner-unusual-risks-insured.jpg) ##  [ Why you should buy life insurance for your Co Parent or Ex Partner ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/why-you-should-buy-life-insurance-for-your-co-parent-or-ex-partner)

### Co Parents need life insurance and this is why

### While you might not be together romantically, raising children together leaves Co Parents financially connected in many ways — whether you want to acknowledge that or not.

### Remind me again what is Co Parenting?

The term Co Parenting was traditionally only used to describe a situation where a parent had split from their previous partner following a separation or divorce, but who were still actively involved in the lives of their shared children.

 [ Read more … ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/why-you-should-buy-life-insurance-for-your-co-parent-or-ex-partner)

- 👶 Modern Family, IVF & Surrogacy Frameworks

  ![young man with covid-19 facemask with his hands on this head](https://unusualrisks.com.au/images/blog/covid-19-and-life-insurances-faqs-unusual-risks-insured.jpg) ##  [ COVID-19 and Life Insurances FAQs ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/covid-19-and-life-insurances-faqs)

### COVID-19 & Life Insurances FAQs

### Our top frequently asked questions by clients about life insurance policies and COVID-19 and vaccinations

![FAQs about Life Insurance policies and COVID-19 in Australia](https://unusualrisks.com.au/images/blog-assets/COVID19-and-Life-Insurance-FAQs-unusual-risks-insured.jpg)

Australia is now in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic.

With rolling lockdowns and much general uncertainty ahead, as we race towards the nation's next mass vaccination target, it's only natural people are looking for certainty and asking important questions about 'whether COVID-19 affects their life insurance policies in any way?'

**Well we have some good news to share.**

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions we’ve received about life insurances and COVID-19 and COVID-19 Vaccinations.

 [ Read more … ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/covid-19-and-life-insurances-faqs)

- 💬 Life, Law & Community Insights

  ![two male partners on their phones sitting close together on a lounge](https://unusualrisks.com.au/images/blog/how-to-buy-life-insurance-if-youre-lgbtqi-unusual-risks-insured.jpg) ##  [ How to buy life insurance if you're LGBTQIA+ ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/how-to-buy-life-insurance-if-you-are-lgbtqia)

### An interesting question we're often asked is,

'Who are the most uninsured people in the community?'
The answer might surprise (and sadden) you.

### Young male P plate drivers? Young Tradies? Army Reserve personnel? Single mothers? No.

The Australian LGBTQIA+ Community is one of the most underinsured and underserved markets with financial services.

**This of course then leaves them and their families at greater vulnerability than their straight counterparts.**

 [ Read more … ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/how-to-buy-life-insurance-if-you-are-lgbtqia)

- 🌈 Pride, Legacy & Relationship Advocacy

  ![two mature women smiling taking a selfie](https://unusualrisks.com.au/images/blog/who-is-your-superannuation-beneficiary-unusual-risks-insured.jpg) ##  [ Who's your Super Beneficiary? ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/who-is-your-superannuation-beneficiary)

### Many LGBTQIA+ Australians have Super account balances receiving at least 10% of their wages annually.

As most super funds have Life Insurance attached to their member's account in some way, this ever-increasing pool of wealth is hard to ignore.

So if you're an LGBTQIA+ Australian with a Superannuation account, the next logical question is;

'Who's your Super Beneficiary?'

 [ Read more … ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/who-is-your-superannuation-beneficiary)

- 💬 Life, Law & Community Insights

  ![muscular man with beard smiling after workout](https://unusualrisks.com.au/images/blog/how-to-get-life-insurance-if-you-have-diabetes-unusual-risks-insured.jpg) ##  [ How to get life insurance if you have diabetes ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/how-to-get-life-insurance-if-you-have-diabetes)

### Managing diabetes can be a challenge: getting life insurance at the same time can feel overwhelming

### Diabetes is Australia's fastest growing chronic health condition with 280 Australians developing this condition every day. (That's one person every five minutes)

People living with a pre-existing health condition like diabetes, statistically speaking have a higher risk of needing to make a claim on their personal insurance policy.

Add to this constantly changing assessment standards for getting insurance cover, and finding a life insurance specialist who understand your situation can feel near impossible.

Welcome to Unusual Risks Insured - we get it.

 [ Read more … ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/how-to-get-life-insurance-if-you-have-diabetes)

- 🍏 Metabolic & Chronic Health Protection

  ![young straight man walking on beach wearing a backpack](https://unusualrisks.com.au/images/blog/straight-and-living-with-hiv-unusual-risks-insured.jpg) ##  [ Straight and living with HIV? ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/straight-and-living-with-hiv)

### Straight and living with HIV? It's becoming more common than you'd think

### The typical straight guy (or girl) next door who is just living with a chronic health condition called HIV, is increasing

HIV is not a top-of-mind conversation starter for most straight guys and girls so many straight people believe HIV is not a health issue for the straight community, but they would be very mistaken.

- **In Western Australia during 2020, more straight men were diagnosed with HIV than gay men**.
- Despite new HIV numbers declining nationally for more than a decade, the number of straight men contracting the sexually transmitted HIV virus is on the rise.

 [ Read more … ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/straight-and-living-with-hiv)

- 💬 Life, Law & Community Insights

  ![person laying on poolside equipment ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/images/blog/happy-mardi-gras-2021-unusual-risks-insured.jpg) ##  [ Happy Sydney Mardi Gras 2021! ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/happy-mardi-gras-2021)

# Happy Mardi Gras!

### To all our clients, friends and supporters - have a fabulous time celebrating you!

We're committed to serving the LGBTI Community and its Allies, and we're here for you, all year round. Happy Mardi Gras!

 [ Read more … ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/happy-mardi-gras-2021)

- 💬 Life, Law & Community Insights

  ![happy intersex person](https://unusualrisks.com.au/images/blog/celebrating-intersex-day-of-remembrance-unusual-risks-insured.jpg) ##  [ Celebrating Intersex Day of Remembrance ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/celebrating-intersex-day-of-remembrance)

# Intersex Remembrance Day

### 'Pink is for girls and blue is for boys. Girls are princesses and boys are pirates. Girls like only boys and boys don’t kiss other boys... — These are just a few restrictive ideas of gender and gender identity that have seen many queer people marginalised and scrutinised for centuries'.

(National Geographic Magazine - Jan 2017 issue)

If there is anything we know, it's that life is not black and white - and not everyone is neatly defined by an Acronym LGBTI.

 [ Read more … ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/celebrating-intersex-day-of-remembrance)

- 💬 Life, Law & Community Insights

  ![crowd at music concert with pirate flag](https://unusualrisks.com.au/images/blog/can-you-still-get-life-insurance-with-a-history-of-recreational-drug-use-unusual-risks-insured.jpg) ##  [ Can you still get life insurance with a history of recreational drug use? ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/can-you-still-get-life-insurance-with-a-history-of-recreational-drug-use)

### Life is complicated.

Getting on with life is even more complicated; so it's important to talk about what matters most and know where we stand.

- In 2019, around 3.4 million Australians reported using an illicit (recreational) drug in the last 12 months.1

So how does *having a history of personal drug use* affect your ability to create a safety net for yourself and your family?

Here's what you need to know ahead of time when you're needing to get your life insurances sorted.

 [ Read more … ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/can-you-still-get-life-insurance-with-a-history-of-recreational-drug-use)

- 🛡️ Uninsurability Containment & Asset Insulation

  ![two male friends relaxing and watching TV](https://unusualrisks.com.au/images/blog/can-you-still-get-life-insurance-with-a-mental-illness-unusual-risks-insured.jpg) ##  [ Can you still get life insurance with a mental illness? ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/can-you-still-get-life-insurance-with-a-mental-illness)

### Living with depression or an anxiety disorder doesn't need to stop you from getting your life insurances sorted.

### Thankfully, good mental health is now becoming part of the regular conversations for many Australians.

Here are some tips to help navigate the application process.

- About 3 million Australians are living with a form of anxiety or depression ([Beyond Blue](https://www.beyondblue.org.au/) 2020) and at least 45 per cent of Australians will experience a mental health issue at some point in their lives. ([SANE](https://www.sane.org/), 2019)
- However, studies have also found that LGBTIQ people face up to twice as much abuse or violence than our heterosexual counterparts and that this prejudice and discrimination adds an additional layer of risk factors that can lead to depression and anxiety.
- Research and real life experiences have found that LGBTIQ people have an increased risk of depression and anxiety, substance abuse, self-harming and suicidal thoughts.

 [ Read more … ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/can-you-still-get-life-insurance-with-a-mental-illness)

- 🍏 Metabolic & Chronic Health Protection

  ![twin heavy set brothers with tattoos smiling](https://unusualrisks.com.au/images/blog/be-careful-what-you-google-when-looking-for-advice-on-life-insurance-unusual-risks-insured.jpg) ##  [ Be careful what you Google when looking for advice on life insurance ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/be-careful-what-you-google-when-looking-for-advice-on-life-insurance)

### Be careful what you Google for, when searching for simple answers to complex questions like; Can people with HIV or other complex health conditions can still qualify for life insurance?

### Google Search is part of our modern-day lives.

Who hasn’t made a quick Search for the bio of an actor, the secret to a killer Bearnaise sauce or asked, ‘Is there a sequel to Game of Thrones?’

Search is also a growing part of our personal health management. People's tendencies for a late-night search session with Dr Google self-diagnosing potential medical conditions —by searching for symptoms —are known to trigger many an anxious night of misinformation and questionable comparisons.

The reality is many of our late-night search results usually add to our anxiety and uncertainty.

The new skill of knowing ‘when to consult a professional’ is becoming the new 21th Century survival skill to learn.

 [ Read more … ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/be-careful-what-you-google-when-looking-for-advice-on-life-insurance)

- 💬 Life, Law & Community Insights

  ![friends talking a group selfie at the beach](https://unusualrisks.com.au/images/blog/flatmates-friends-or-de-factos-and-how-to-tell-them-apart-unusual-risks-insured.jpg) ##  [ Flatmates, Friends or De-factos and how to tell them apart ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/flatmates-friends-or-de-factos-and-how-to-tell-them-apart)

### Flatmates, friends or de facto partners - how do you tell them apart

### When it comes to romance and relationships, the emotional decision about who you think is your partner, may be very different to the legal decision about who is legally considered your de facto partner.

The questions about who may be a *boyfriend* or *girlfriend* or *partner* and who is a *de facto* become important distinctions when it comes to **Superannuation** payouts, **Life Insurance** nominations and **Family Law** claims on your finances, investments and property interests.

As [Marriage Equality](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Same-sex_marriage_in_Australia) became law in Australia on 9th December 2017, \*yay\*, who is a married partner is now straightforward. Who is a de facto partner, is not always so straightforward especially for many in the LGBTQI Community.

 [ Read more … ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/flatmates-friends-or-de-factos-and-how-to-tell-them-apart)

- 💬 Life, Law & Community Insights

  ![man at gym laying on floor](https://unusualrisks.com.au/images/blog/who-can-make-emergency-medical-decisions-for-you-unusual-risks-insured.jpg) ##  [ Who can make emergency medical decisions for you? ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/who-can-make-emergency-medical-decisions-for-you)

### Ever wonder who can make emergency medical decisions for you when you can’t?

Most adults are presumed to have the needed mental capacity to give consent themselves. But what happens when you can’t make decisions for yourself?

Though you may have a large circle of friends, emergencies demand a certain kind of relationship.

Being to answer this question will probably make you stop and consider the quality of your key relationships and whether you have the right legal documents in play today, as part of your backup plan.

The person 'next in line to make decisions' for you is often referred to as the *person responsible* and it might not be your next of kin.

 [ Read more … ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/who-can-make-emergency-medical-decisions-for-you)

- 💬 Life, Law & Community Insights

  ![attractive bauld and bearded man with laptop computer](https://unusualrisks.com.au/images/blog/does-it-still-make-sense-to-think-about-life-insurances-today-unusual-risks-insured.jpg) ##  [ Does it still make sense to think about Life Insurances today? ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/does-it-still-make-sense-to-think-about-life-insurances-today)

### Life still goes on, even in the middle of a Pandemic.

Yes, it makes perfect sense to think about life insurance today - especially today - because life still happens to us all, all the time, even during difficult times.

One of the dangers of living through difficult times (and the LGBTQIA+ Community is no stranger to surviving difficult times) is we can sometimes fixate on the biggest issue and ignore the most important issue - **our life, love, and relationships continue regardless**.

Our innate adaptability can lead many LGBTQIA+ couples to embrace wildly different financial goals, styles and circumstances in our partners.

 [ Read more … ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/does-it-still-make-sense-to-think-about-life-insurances-today)

- 💬 Life, Law & Community Insights

  ![piggy bank wearing a covid-19 facemask](https://unusualrisks.com.au/images/blog/coronavirus-life-insurance-income-protection-and-managing-personal-risks-unusual-risks-insured.jpg) ##  [ Coronavirus, Life Insurance, Income Protection and managing personal risks ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/coronavirus-life-insurance-income-protection-and-managing-personal-risks)

### Getting better at managing our personal risks in our connected world

It's a difficult time, and winter is coming.

But it won't always be.

And we all need to be ready for the Spring; to better understand what we can control now (and who we can take care of today), so we're all getting ready for a better tomorrow.

The current Coronavirus[ ](https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert)pandemic is going to affect Australian families and businesses - but perhaps not for the reason you suspect.

 [ Read more … ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/coronavirus-life-insurance-income-protection-and-managing-personal-risks)

- 💬 Life, Law & Community Insights

  ![happy woman and her family taking a road trip together](https://unusualrisks.com.au/images/blog/women-living-with-hiv-in-australia-unusual-risks-insured.jpg) ##  [ Women living with HIV in Australia ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/women-living-with-hiv-in-australia)

### Women living with HIV in Australia

### Today, about 10% of people living with HIV in Australia are women; yet they continue to be conspicuously absent in most of the HIV prevention messages.

The reported experiences of women living with HIV can be very different from men.

Many women navigate their treatments and their daily lives differently from their male counterparts.

 [ Read more … ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/women-living-with-hiv-in-australia)

- 🩸 Clinical, PrEP & Blood-Borne Risk Underwriting

  ![two men celebrating and having fun together](https://unusualrisks.com.au/images/blog/happy-mardi-gras-2020-unusual-risks-insured.jpg) ##  [ Happy Sydney Mardi Gras 2020! ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/happy-mardi-gras-2020)

# Happy Mardi Gras!

### To all our clients, friends and supporters - have a fabulous time celebrating you!

We're committed to serving the LGBTI community and its Allies, and we're here for you, all year round. Happy Mardi Gras!

 [ Read more … ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/happy-mardi-gras-2020)

- 💬 Life, Law & Community Insights

  ![balloons in the shape of two hearts](https://unusualrisks.com.au/images/blog/love-takes-action-unusual-risks-insured.jpg) ##  [ Valentine's Day and Love Insurance ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/love-takes-action)

### Valentine’s Day means different things to different people

### But ultimately it's about Love — and Love Takes Action

> What some people miss is that life insurance is really love insurance — by having sufficient life insurance, they're safeguarding the future of the ones they love. Drew Browne

### Four thoughtful ways you can act on your love today

 [ Read more … ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/love-takes-action)

- 💬 Life, Law & Community Insights

  ![friends at BBQ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/images/blog/six-power-money-decisions-for-gay-couples-unusual-risks-insured.jpg) ##  [ Six Power Money Decisions for Same-sex Couples ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/six-power-money-decisions-for-gay-couples)

### If you’re part of a gay couple, here’s 6 power money decisions that help LGBTQIA+ couples get on the same page financially, and stay on track together.

Because who wants to spend a lifetime arguing about money, right?

 [ Read more … ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/six-power-money-decisions-for-gay-couples)

- 💬 Life, Law & Community Insights

  ![PrEP medication and logo of Unusual Risks Insured](https://unusualrisks.com.au/images/blog/people-taking-prep-can-now-get-full-life-insurances-in-australia-unusual-risks-insured.jpg) ##  [ People taking PrEP can now get full Life Insurance cover through Unusual Risk Insured ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/people-taking-prep-can-now-get-full-life-insurance-cover-in-australia)

### And that's great news for everyone who's using PrEP medication to take better control over their health.

- [PrEP (**Pre**-exposure prophylaxis)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pre-exposure_prophylaxis) is an anti-HIV medicine taken by a person who doesn't have HIV to lower their risk of infection.
- The brand name of the drug known as PrEP is [Truvada](https://www.avert.org/hiv-transmission-prevention/prep) and it's now listed on the [PBS](https://www.nps.org.au/news/pr-ep-on-the-pbs-an-opportunity-in-hiv-prevention) and subsided by the Australian Government.

 [ Read more … ](https://unusualrisks.com.au/blog/people-taking-prep-can-now-get-full-life-insurance-cover-in-australia)

- 🩸 Clinical, PrEP & Blood-Borne Risk Underwriting

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