CA Lt-Gen Peter Cosgrove will release information to commanders and soldiers about having adequate personal insurance cover in light of current operational tempo.

Recent deployments by ADF members to various theatres of operation have highlighted some concerns about insurance for Defence personnel on active service.

Air-Cdre Roxley McLennan, DPE, has provided advice to CA about members ensuring their affairs are always in order, so they are always ready for deployment.

Air-Cdre McLennan said the nature of recent operations highlighted the potential for every member of the permanent or reserve forces to be deployed on active service at short notice.

"Given the uncertainty since September 11, Australian insurance companies are unlikely to continue to make available life policies covering military personnel on active service or employed in a war zone," he said.

"Members are strongly advised to ensure their personal and legal affairs are in order, particularly with respect to life and accident insurance."

While Defence provides comprehensive benefits in the case of death or disability, each individual member needs to assess their own requirements, including the need for additional personal insurance cover.

The Military Compensation Scheme (MCS) provides whole-of-life rehabilitation and compensation benefits to all ADF members who are injured or become ill as a result of their service and to the dependants of those who are killed.

The MCS is administered by the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) and assistance may be sought from the relevant regional office of DVA.

Air-Cdre McLennan said members considering cover beyond the invalidity and death benefits provided by MSBS or DFRDB should carefully consider the circumstances.

"Members with insurance cover should confirm the cover is consistent with their present or planned family circumstances and that their policies continue to cover them on active service or in any location.

"For example, some insurance companies only permit a member to have one insurance payment, or require some offsetting against the member's primary insurance cover before any payment is made."

Members should be aware that in such a situation the primary insurance cover may be that provided by their Defence compensation and superannuation arrangements.

Personnel who decide to seek additional insurance cover should note that some companies are no longer offering policies that provide cover for operational service eventualities.

Benefits under the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (SRC) Act and the Defence Act:

The maximum amount payable under the SRC Act for impairment resulting from an injury is $169,459.46.

The maximum amount payable under the SRC Act in the event of death is $184,864.84 plus a pension for each dependant child of $61.61 each week.