Life insurers paid more than $4 billion on claims last year, according to the latest Risk Store report.

The figure is up 10.7% on 2011 and 116% on 2006, when the company began collecting claims data.

It shows how the life industry makes a difference to many people’s lives, according to Risk Store founder Sue Laing.

It is an image that should be more widely promoted, she says.

“We’d be thrilled to see the industry push this good news harder to consumers. Despite regulation overload, this industry still manages to make an enormous contribution to Australians and the economy overall.”

This year, for the first time, the report notes the three leading causes of income protection claims. The section was introduced following feedback from advisers, Ms Laing says.

For more on the report, see Wednesday’s edition of Life+Health insuranceNEWS.com.au.