Sapience Financial Presents

Dying to Ask?

The unfiltered, taboo-busting guide to life insurance, complex medical histories, and protecting family legacy.

Got a medical history that makes life insurance underwriters jumpy? Trying to figure out how to pass on your assets without sparking a family war? Senior Advisor Drew Browne tears away the corporate jargon to answer the awkward, unspoken questions.

Reserve Your Virtual Seat

Recently Answered Questions

Real, candid, jargon-free answers to tough questions we’ve addressed lately.

The Plain-English Truth: You are not a write-off. While full illness covers (like Trauma and Sickness Income Protection) are generally off the table, Life Cover (Death Benefit) can often still be arranged depending on your medical stability. Furthermore, Accident-Only Cover is frequently available to protect you against unexpected injuries regardless of your medical past. Never self-reject before an expert speaks with an underwriter behind closed doors.

The Plain-English Truth: Clarity eats conflict for breakfast. Remember: Your Will does not automatically control your superannuation or life insurance inside super. If you haven't completed a valid Binding Death Benefit Nomination with your super fund, the trustee decides who gets the money—not your Will. Align your super nominations with your Will today so there are no surprises tomorrow.

The Plain-English Truth: They won't be hiding behind tombstones and bushes, but insurers will access your full GP medical records (including pharmaceutical records) during a major claim. If an undisclosed pre-existing condition turns up, the insurer can legally void the policy or reject the payout if you intentionally tried to mislead them in answering a question asked in an application. Our rule: Over-share on day one with your adviser. An honest policy with a tailored rating is infinitely better than cheap cover that fails when your family needs it most.

The Plain-English Truth: Yes. Handing a massive lump sum to a young adult or someone going through a rough patch can cause more harm than good. Tools like Protective Wills, Divorce Protection Trusts and Testamentary Trusts allow you to set guardrails - drip-feeding funds over time, releasing money for specific milestones (like buying a home), and protecting assets from ex-spouses in divorce proceedings.

The Plain-English Truth: Leaving passwords on a sticky note in your desk drawer is actually a legal gray area that can breach platform terms of service. Modern estate planning includes Digital Assets. Major platforms like Apple and Google now allow you to set up a designated "Legacy Contact" to grant legal access to family members when you pass.

In the Queue: Questions Waiting to Be Answered

A sneak peek at the questions currently in our mailbag for upcoming sessions:

1. "Can an insurer reject my claim if I die doing something remarkably stupid?"
2. "If I’m taking immunosuppressants for life, am I forever trapped in 'Accident-Only' cover?"
3. "Why do insurers ask about my parents' health? I'm not living in their 1980s body!"
4. "Can I secretly buy life insurance on my business partner in case they drive me to an early grave?"
5. "Is Trauma Cover useless once you’ve already survived a major organ failure?"
6. "Extreme sports on weekends vs. extreme snacking on weeknights—which drives premiums up more?"
7. "How long after a transplant does an underwriter wait before they stop hyperventilating?"
8. "If I outlive my life insurance policy term, do I get a celebration ribbon or a refund?"
9. "Can I leave my life insurance payout to my dog, or does my ex-spouse automatically get first dibs?"
10. "If my estate planning goes wrong, can I prevent my kids suing each other from beyond the grave?"
11. "Can my executor cut off my freeloading relative if I put it in a Binding Nomination?"
12. "Can I write my Will on a napkin during a panic attack, or will lawyers laugh me out of court?"
13. "What’s the absolute weirdest reason an insurer has ever used to dodge a payout?"
14. "If I die in a freak accident overseas, does my family need a diplomatic pass to collect?"
15. "Who gets the money if I die without a Will—does the government throw a party with it?"
16. "Can I set up my life insurance so my kids only get money if they finish university?"
17. "How do I ensure my family doesn't fight over my vintage guitar collection when I'm gone?"
18. "Can I insure my adult child who has a pre-existing medical condition if I pay premiums?"
19. "How do I talk to my parents about their estate plan without sounding like I’m waiting for them to die?"
20. "What is the single biggest mistake people make when setting up insurance in their 50s and 60s?"
Drew Browne - Senior Advisor at Sapience Financial
Your Host & Lead Advisor

Drew Browne

Senior Insurance & Medical Underwriting Specialist

Drew specialises in helping clients navigate complex medical histories—including organ transplants, pre-existing conditions, and unique family circumstances—to secure genuine, reliable cover. Known for his candid, jargon-free approach, Drew cuts through industry double-talk so families can protect what matters most with total clarity.

Upcoming Virtual Sessions

Join the Next 'Dying to Ask' Online Panel

Co-hosted in partnership with Kiwanis Clubs Australia and Angelique Mastoroudes (Bee Positive Consulting).

An interactive, disarming, and deeply useful online conversation designed for members, parents, and grandparents looking to navigate life insurance, medical curveballs, and family legacy before being forced to later.

Session 1
Wednesday 12 August 7:00pm – 8:15pm (AEST)
Session 2
Thursday 27 August 7:00pm – 8:15pm (AEST)

Submit Your Question

Got an awkward or complicated question? Submit it anonymously below—Drew Browne will answer select entries live!

🔒 All questions submitted via this form are 100% confidential and handled respectfully by Sapience Financial.

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