Aon Financial Planning and Protection has signed a deal with mortgage broker Smartline to improve life risk advice for mortgage customers.

Under the new partnership, life insurance advice will be included as part of a holistic mortgage advice offering, moving from a previous bolt-on arrangement.

Aon Financial Planning and Protection MD Pierre Kraft says the deal will help more Australians access planning advice and help ease underinsurance.

Smartline MD Chris Acret says the firm wants to treat risk insurance “more seriously and make it core to our business”.

“Australians are well insured in terms of our car or home contents, but not when it comes to the bigger things in life,” he said. “For every home that’s lost through fire, there are four lost through death and 48 homes lost through disability.”