TPD is a lump sum payable if you have TPD insurance and are unable to work again in your chosen field or similar due to a physical injury or mental illness resulting from an injury. It doesn’t necessarily need to be a significant injury or illness that prevents normal bodily function, so long as it satisfies the specific wording of your insurance TPD policy.
TPD compensation can be a substantial lump sum payment and, in most cases, is usually default insurance associated with your superannuation (along with life insurance and income protection), though you can choose to have TPD cover through insurance outside of your super fund. The process of claiming a TPD insurance benefit is very similar, whether it is held within your superannuation or held outside a super fund. Most people don’t realise they even have TPD cover or that they could have multiple cover clauses across various super funds.

The TPD benefit is generally a ‘fixed’ lump sum payment and can be found in your annual superannuation member benefit statements or on the schedule that comes with your insurance policy. A common TPD policy clause amount is $200,000. If you cannot locate this, don’t stress! With your permission, we should be able to obtain this by writing to your fund or insurer directly.

Insurers can be notorious for declining claims. At TPIL, we have the knowledge and experience to run your claim to ensure you have the best possible chance of success. We understand that this will be a difficult time for you and our goal is to make the claims process as simple as possible such as explaining the legal jargon in layman’s terms.

TPD claims can be rejected for several reasons such as the following:

• Failure to meet your policy’s definition of total and permanent disability.
• Insufficient documentation.
• Incorrectly responding to the insurer’s questions.
• Assumptions made by the insurer.
• Failure to comply with policy requirements (such as waiting periods, age restrictions, and claim lodgement deadlines).
• Misrepresentation or fraud.

But just because your claim has been rejected, does not mean it is the end of the road. Sometimes, claims are rejected because your policy isn’t active, there is an evidence dispute, you haven’t fulfilled the requirements for work history or waiting periods, or you don’t meet your policy’s definition of TPD. Depending on why your claim was rejected, you have the option to challenge the decision, which you can do by appealing to an external dispute resolution scheme or requesting an internal review.

This will just depend on your policy, and every policy is different. There are some cases where receiving a TPD payout will mean you’re unable to return to work and receive certain government benefits, and some where you can. Before lodging your claim, make sure you read your policy’s fine print so that you’re aware of any existing restrictions.
TPIL Lawyers are more than happy to look over your policy for you if you’re unsure about anything or have some questions you would like us to answer. We provide TPD claim advice at no cost and no obligation.

If you are looking to make a successful TPD claim, then you want to have someone by your side to not only show you the ropes but also support you. Make you feel heard and respected. Our TPD lawyers in Brisbane and the Gold Coast are here to do just that and more. With over forty years of experience, we understand that the thought of undergoing a legal process can be intimidating and confusing, which is why we aim to put your mind at ease with advice free of legal jargon. All of our claims operate on our no-win, no-fee guarantee, meaning that we will cover all outlays and associated claims costs, so you can get the compensation and assistance you need sooner rather than later.
Contact us now or call us on 1800 958 498 to start your TPD journey today.