Am I paying too much?Is my family protected?What happens if I can't work?
Great questions and they're often ignored simply because life gets busy. You may need someone with 30 years' life insurance experience to help you review the life insurance cover you already have. We review your existing insurance and, where appropriate, provide options to help you keep quality protection while reducing unnecessary costs.
*The health check includes a premium comparison of your current policies across a range of leading insurers.
About Harbour Life Insurance
Harbour Life Insurance helps Australian individuals and families understand their life insurance options with clarity and confidence. Michael Shagrin brings over 30 years of experience in the life insurance industry and explains everything in plain English, so choosing or reviewing cover feels calm and straightforward.
Our service is free to you because Harbour Life is paid by the insurers, never by you.
Your Journey With Harbour Life Insurance
We’re with you from the start, setting up your cover, reviewing it regularly, keeping it relevant and competitive over time, and supporting you through any claim.
Choosing Your New Cover Made Simple
We'll guide you through every step of the process, from understanding your options to comparing insurers and completing your application. We'll explain your choices in plain English, answer your questions, and help you select cover that's right for your circumstances. Once you've made your decision, we'll manage the application process and keep you informed every step of the way.
Education & Clarity
We help you understand what life insurance is, the types of cover available, how each works, common considerations for cover levels, and general differences between insurers and product structure.
Compare Insurers on Price
We compare your life insurance from a range of trusted insurance partners and provide options for you to choose from.
Application Support
We guide you through the entire underwriting and application process from completing forms to navigating medical or financial requirements. Our role is to keep things simple, transparent, and stress-free.
Claims Support and Regular Check-Ins
Setting up your cover is just the beginning. We’re here for the long haul, ready to support you if you ever make a claim and to keep your cover up‑to‑date and competitive as your life evolves.
Support Through the Claims Journey
If you ever need to make a claim, we'll be right there with you. Our role is to help you understand what's required, coordinating with the insurer, and guiding you through each step. We'll be an advocate in your corner, providing comprehensive support to take the stress out of the process so you can focus on what matters.
Regular Check-Ins
Simple, pressure-free conversations providing you with options to ensure your cover is still relevant, ensure your premiums are competitive, and giving you confidence with your protection decisions as your life evolves.
See How Different Insurers Stack Up on Price
We will compare your life insurance from a range of trusted insurance partners and will provide options for you to choose from.
How much life insurance costs in Australia will vary between each person. The amount you may pay is based on factors like your age, gender, health, smoking status, occupation, lifestyle and other risk factors.
Your premiums will also depend on the type of policy, what it covers and how much cover you choose to take out.
Lighting the Way Through Your Life Insurance Options
We believe clarity brings confidence. Our role is to guide you through your life insurance choices with steady, informed support and helping you understand what each option means for you and your family.
Like a lighthouse on the horizon, we're here to illuminate the path ahead, so you can make decisions that feel right, secure, and grounded in understanding.
Life Cover
Life cover pays a lump sum to the people you nominate if you pass away or are diagnosed with a terminal illness. Many families use it to clear the mortgage and support everyday living costs.
Learn more about Life Cover
Income Protection
Income protection pays a monthly benefit if illness or injury stops you working for a period. It is designed to replace part of your income while you recover.
Learn more about Income Protection
TPD (Total and Permanent Disablement) Cover
TPD cover pays a lump sum if you are unlikely to ever work again, as defined in your policy. Definitions vary, and cover is often held inside super.
Learn more about TPD
Trauma Cover (Critical Illness)
Trauma cover pays a lump sum on diagnosis of a specified condition such as cancer, heart attack or stroke. It can only be held outside super.
Learn more about Trauma CoverLet's Talk About What Really Matters
If a major health event or accident happened tomorrow, how would you (or your partner) keep up with the mortgage or rent, groceries, and everyday living costs long‑term?
If your income stopped for a few months due to illness or injury, how long could you (or your partner) comfortably cover your bills, lifestyle, and financial commitments on your own?
As your life has evolved such as buying a home, building your career, or taking on new responsibilities has anyone helped you (or your partner) review your cover to make sure it still fits?
How would things change for your family if you knew a lump sum or income stream would kick in right when they needed it?
Is protecting that outcome something you want to get sorted now, while everything is straightforward?
We'll help you understand and choose what life insurance options suit your situation. With over 30 years of experience, book a meeting with Michael to support you decide what really matters.
At Harbour Life, whether you’re comparing policies or reviewing your existing life insurance policy, our service is free to you. We’re remunerated by the insurers, never by you.
Understanding Your Insurance Needs at Each Stage of Life
Your needs change as life changes and every family, career and financial journey is different.
Whether you're building a family, growing your career, protecting your income, or planning for the future, each chapter brings its own priorities. This section helps you navigate those shifts with clarity, offering guidance on what typically matters most at each life stage so you can make confident, well-informed decisions.
The life stage examples below are general advice only. Consider the appropriateness of the general advice presented, having regard to your personal objectives, financial situation and needs.
Ages 20–30: Singles or Young Couples
You're building financial independence, starting your career, and laying the foundations for the future.
Protecting your income at this stage is essential because your income is your most valuable asset. Consider:
- If an illness or injury stopped you from working for a few months, how would you manage your living expenses?
- If you couldn't work for a period of time, what would you want life to look like while you recovered?
- How would you cover rent, bills, or loan repayments if you were unexpectedly unable to work?
Ages 30–40: Young Families & Mortgages
This is often the busiest and most financially demanding stage of life.
Mortgages, young children, childcare costs, and career growth can all converge at once. At this stage, insurance is about protecting the people who rely on you. Consider:
- If something happened to you, how long could your family maintain their current lifestyle?
- Could your partner manage the mortgage and childcare costs on one income?
- What would you want financially in place for your children if you were no longer here?
- If you became seriously ill, how much time would you want to take away from work and how would you fund it?
Ages 40–50: Established Families & Peak Responsibilities
Responsibilities are often at their peak during this stage of life, with school fees, rising living expenses, and often a larger mortgage.
Insurance can help keep long-term plans on track if life takes an unexpected turn. Consider:
- If your income stopped tomorrow, how long could your household continue operating as it does today?
- Are your current protections still aligned with your lifestyle and financial responsibilities?
- What would happen to school fees or long-term plans if you became seriously ill?
- Do you have a plan in place if you were unable to work for an extended period?
Ages 50–60: Pre-Retirement & Debt Reduction
Children may be older and debts reducing, but health risks often increase during this stage of life.
Insurance becomes less about starting out and more about protecting your retirement plans and avoiding financial setbacks that could delay your goals. Consider:
- If a major illness occurred now, how would it impact your retirement plans?
- Would you be financially prepared if you were unable to work for a year or two?
- Does your current cover still reflect your needs and responsibilities at this stage of life?
- If you had to stop working earlier than planned, what would that mean for your long-term goals?
Ages 60+: Retirement & Estate Planning
At this stage of life, the focus often shifts from income protection to legacy planning, estate considerations, and easing financial pressure on family.
Insurance can help cover final expenses, support loved ones, or leave a financial legacy. Consider:
- If something happened to you, what financial responsibilities would you want taken care of for your family?
- Is leaving a financial gift or legacy to loved ones important to you?
- Would you want to reduce financial pressure on your family during a difficult time?
Your Insurance Needs Evolve as Your Life Does
This visual below brings together the key life stages most Australians move through from early career to retirement. It shows how different types of cover typically rise or fall in importance along your life journey.
By pairing each stage with real-life scenarios and a simple curve for Life & TPD, Trauma and Income Protection, the chart helps you quickly see where you are now, what risks matter most, and how your protection needs may shift as your responsibilities change.
The Australian Government's Money Smart website has a calculator to help you work out how much life insurance you need. The following insurers also have calculators to help you work out your life insurance needs, please click on the following links:
AIA Insurance Needs Calculator
TAL Life Insurance Calculator
Zurich Insurance Needs Calculator
The life stage graph example above is general advice only. Consider the appropriateness of the general advice presented, having regard to your personal objectives, financial situation and needs.
Michael Shagrin
30+ years in life insurance. Michael will call you personally.