Zurich will no longer cover concussion-related injuries for people playing high-contact sports under changes to its Active product.

The insurer says amendments to the life policy strengthen exclusions around concussion for professional athletes involved in sports such as Australian rules football, rugby and boxing.

“Zurich regularly reviews its policies in line with medical developments to ensure an appropriate balance between the availability and sustainability of insurance,” it said in a statement. “The change was made given the uncertain health impacts and risks associated with concussion events from playing high-contact sports and the subsequent development of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).”

CTE is a progressive brain degeneration disease that has been linked to repeated head injuries. Symptoms include worsening behavioural control and cognitive ability, and links to dementia.

The disease has been strongly linked with contact sports after several athletes were found to have it during autopsies. 

Zurich offers a separate total and permanent disability coverage for the AFL through its superannuation program as part of an agreement with the league’s players’ association.

The insurer told insuranceNEWS.com.au the changes to its Active policy will have “no impact” on the TPD coverage.