2 in 5 Aussies with single policies rarely claim extra covers.

Couples and family policy holders are more likely to make claims on extra covers.

Two in five Australians are paying for extra benefits in single insurance policies that they rarely use.

Of 1,000 respondents, only 2 in 5 (40%) claim about 1-2 times per year on extra covers, according to a survey by Money.com.au.

“Someone on a single policy may naturally claim less, but if they’re only claiming once or twice a year, hypothetically for their bi-annual dental check-up, it means they’re still paying for dozens of benefits they’re not using,” Whitelaw says.

Couples and family policy holders are more likely to make claims on extra covers. Only 20% of those on couples policy claim 1-2 times a year, and only 31% on family policy make claims on extra covers rarely.

“It’s natural for couples and families to claim more frequently on their extras cover — more people on a policy means more people needing general or ancillary treatments, whether that’s dental visits, physio appointments or optical check-ups,” said Chris Whitelaw, general manager of health insurance, Money.com.au.

Families have the highest proportion claiming 3–5 times per year (33%), followed by couples (31%).

However, couples are more likely to claim at higher frequencies, with 26% claiming 6–10 times annually compared to 19% of families.

Couples also lead in the highest usage bracket, with 17% claiming more than 10 times per year, versus just 9% of families.

Couples also have fewer non-claimers — only 6% say they haven’t made a claim at all, compared to 8% of families, the survey found.