Insurance Benefits After Injury or Illness
When work ceases due to injury or illness, it is essential that you understand what insurance entitlements you might have. In Australia, insurance is typically provided from:
- Superannuation-linked insurance: TPD, Income Protection and Death insurance.
- Workers’ Compensation: For work-related conditions
- Personal insurance: Stand-alone Income Protection (IP), TPD, or trauma policies and Death insurance
To assess coverage, follow these steps:
- Identify Potential Policies
(a) Superannuation Accounts – most super funds include default TPD and sometimes Income Protection (IP) insurance. If multiple accounts exist, you may have multiple claims for insurance benefits after suffering an injury or illness. You will need to locate all of your super accounts, including closed accounts and check Benefit Statements dating back to when you stopped working.
(b) Employer/Enterprise Arrangements – check if your employer held group salary continuance or accident/sickness policies.
(c) Personal Insurance – review direct-debit payments for life, TPD, trauma, or income protection policies. Obtain full policy terms.
(d) Work-Related Conditions (WorkCover) – for work-related injuries or illnesses, WorkCover may provide weekly payments, treatment expenses, lump sums or common law damages (if thresholds are met).
- Confirm Insurance Coverage at the Relevant Time – check if cover lapsed when work ceased due to inactive super accounts or insufficient balances, or employment status or hours worked affecting eligibility.
- Review Policy Terms and Definitions, including but not limited to TPD, Income Protection (IP), waiting times, benefit periods, disability definitions and offsets.
- Gather Essential Documents, including, but not limited to, superannuation member statements, insurance schedules and policy terms, employment cessation letters, payslips, group certificates, medical certificates, specialist reports and workers’ compensation claim notices.
Worried about your insurance coverage?
Navigating the insurance world alone can be overwhelming, confusing, and frustrating. It can be particularly overwhelming if you are looking to access insurance benefits after injury or illness. At Leonard & Welch, we keep it simple: clear, friendly advice in plain English, constant communication, and personalised guidance every step of the way. Call us now for free advice.
There is, of course, plenty to know that is not covered here, and as the usual legal disclaimer goes, the information here is of a general nature because legal advice always depends on your circumstances.
Contact
You can call us at (03) 9969 7077 or via email at info@leonardwelch.au.
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