Life insurance and TPD insurance
Life insurance is also Known as term life insurance, or death insurance
What is Life Insurance?
Life insurance provides a cash lump sum to your loved ones in the event of your death.
If you are diagnosed with a terminal illness and have less than 12 months to live, the insurer may pay the benefit directly to you.
Life cover normally applies immediately for any cause of death, whether accident or illness, with the exception of suicide occurring within the first 13 months.
Find out how much life insurance cover costs
For those not eligible for full life cover there are limited Accidental Death or Accident Only Life insurance policies available which only cover death resulting from an accident. However according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare accidents account for only around 8% of total deaths.
Life insurance premiums generally increase each year as you get older (i.e. are stepped), however level premiums are also available.
What is Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) Insurance?
Total and Permanent Disability, or TPD, insurance provides a cash lump sum if you suffer a permanent disability arising from and illness or injury and this prevents you from ever working again. Usually you will need to have not worked for a period of three or six months before you can make a claim.
Find out how much TPD life insurance cover costs
TPD cover is usually purchased as an optional extra on a Life insurance policy. The Life and TPD insurance covers are “linked” which means that you are paid a cash lump sum only on the first of death or TPD to occur. For this reason the amount of TPD cover is normally limited to the amount of life cover purchased, however standalone TPD insurance cover can be purchased separately if life cover is not required.
There are different types of TPD insurance. The most common are “Any Occupation” and “Own Occupation” which are explained below.
The cost of TPD insurance cover will be higher if you work in an occupation which requires manual work or involves other risks, such as working at heights or underground. Commonly claimed TPD conditions reported by insurance companies are permanent back injuries and mental illnesses.
Why do I need Life and TPD insurance?
The purpose of life insurance is to protect your dependents from financial loss in the event of your death. The proceeds of the policy can be used to repay debts, pay for funeral costs, pay for future education costs and replace future income lost. Term life insurance is very economical cover, particularly if taken out while young and healthy.
Estimate how much Life and TPD cover you may need
TPD insurance can be used to protect both you and your family from financial loss in the event a serious and permanent disablement prevents you from working again. In this case your family has to continue to meet living expenses and debt obligations without your income. They may also have to pay for any costs associated with your disability such as medical fees, home modifications and ongoing care. TPD insurance will provide a cash lump sum that you and your family can use to repay debt and/or draw down on over time.
What is the Difference between TPD, Trauma and Income Protection?
A package of Life, TPD, Trauma and income protection will provide the most comprehensive cover. However, if you cannot afford all of these covers your individual circumstances will determine which are a priority for you.
How much does Life Insurance cost?
The main factors affecting the cost of Life insurance are:
- Age
- Gender
- Smoker status
Below we show the average cost of Life Insurance for males and females at different ages based on $500,000 Life insurance coverage and non-smoker rates.
The average premiums have been calculated using quotes from the Insurance Watch website from the following insurers: AIA, BT, ClearView, CommInsure, MLC, NEOS, OnePath, TAL and Zurich as of 22nd August 2019.
In the twelve month period ending August 2019 life insurance premiums have fallen on average. For males the average decrease has been 4.8% and for females 3.5%. This is in part due to new discounts and offers introduced by some insurers.
From these graphs it can be seen that females enjoy much lower life insurance premiums than males, mirroring the different mortality rates for males and females. In 2016 the AIHW found that the median life expectancy for females was 84 years of age compared to 78 years of age for males.
For both females and males, average life insurance premiums decrease from mid-teens until early 30s as the risks of motor vehicle accidents and self-inflicted harm reduce. Thereafter the increasing incidence of deaths from health conditions such as cancer and coronary heart disease cause premiums to rise gradually until the age of 50, after which premiums rise sharply.
A level premium can help to smooth out the age effect of rising premiums. A level premium taken out while in the early 30s and held to age 65 or 70 can result in significant premium savings compared to a stepped premium (which increases with age).
Premiums for smokers can be as much as double the rates shown. Occupation can also be a factor resulting in a higher premium if your job is judged to be hazardous by the insurance company i.e. you work at heights or handle explosives. Also there are some pre-existing medical conditions (including a high Body Mass Index) that can result in the insurer imposing a “loading” or higher premium when assessing your application.
How much Life and TPD insurance cover do I need?
Your need for life and TPD insurance will vary at different stages in your life.
When you take out a mortgage or have children your family’s finances may be vulnerable to a loss of income resulting from an unexpected injury, illness or death.
On the other hand, as you approach retirement you are more likely to have accumulated assets, including superannuation savings, and paid-off liabilities and your children are more likely to have left home. This can mean that your need for life or permanent disability insurance is reduced as you get older. However, there are also many reasons why you may have insurance cover in your 50s and 60s.
Can I have multiple Life and TPD insurance policies?
It is possible to have multiple Life and TPD insurance policies. Many people will have automatic or default Life insurance and TPD insurance cover provided by their employer or superannuation fund and may also have other policies they have taken out personally.
Each policy may have been taken out for a different purpose and/or have different beneficiaries (e.g. for estate equalisation purposes). There will be different tax implications for the benefits paid by retail policies and super policies. Some people prefer to diversify their cover across several different insurers, although this will usually cost more than consolidating the cover with one insurer due to the discounts provided for larger sums insured.
In the event of your death, terminal illness or total and permanent disability, you or your family will be able to claim against all valid policies. However it is important to ensure when you are taking out a new policy you disclose any other existing policies. This is so that the insurance company can assess your application against their maximum cover limits
What is the maximum Life and TPD insurance cover I can have?
While the major life insurance companies compared on this website have no absolute limit on the amount of life insurance cover an individual can apply for, there is usually a limit of $5M for total TPD cover (lower limits may apply on products marketed direct to the public).
The insurer will also consider whether your total amount of cover (your existing cover plus the amount you are applying for) is reasonable relative to your level of income. To determine this they will generally use an income multiple based on your age
If your insurance needs are higher than the amounts implied by these multiples this does not mean that your application will be refused. You may however be requested to provide more information about how you determined your cover amount. This may include details regarding your current level of debt, number of dependants and their age, your income and the income of your spouse (which may be affected by your death or disability if, for example, they are required to care for children).
If you do not have an income because you are not working or you are performing home duties you can still apply for life and TPD insurance, however cover limits may apply.
Will my Life insurance or TPD insurance claim be paid?
Total claims paid by life insurers in the year ending 30 June 2016 amounted to $8.2 billion according to data from APRA.
A review by ASIC in 2016 found that on average approximately 90% of all claims submitted were paid – of these 96% of life insurance claims and 84% for TPD insurance claims were paid. The main reasons for declined claims were non-disclosure at time of application and ineligibility due to policy definitions, limitations, exclusions or pre-existing conditions.
In March 2019 APRA and ASIC released for the first time claims acceptance rates and average claims times on an individual insurance company basis. Insurers who are under performing industry averages for processing claims will now be accountable to both consumers and the regulators.
If you have taken out a Life/TPD insurance policy through Insurance Watch and you need to make a claim we will help you during the claims process.
Recent Life/TPD insurance claims paid to Insurance Watch customers
| $441,000 | Death of a 32-year-old construction worker as a result of a work accident |
| $1,251,300 | Death of 40-year-old nurse as a result of illness |
| $309,900 | Terminal illness of a 48-year-old university lecturer |
| $560,000 | Death of 48-year-old management consultant after accident working on a car at home |
| $210,600 | Terminal illness of 52-year-old homemaker |
| $350,000 | Death of 52-year-old bank manager as a result of illness |
| $1,870,500 | Terminal illness of 53-year-old doctor |
| $1,276,300 | Death of 67-year-old taxi driver as a result of illness |
Other Topics
The initial sum insured may be eaten into by inflation as time passes. Most companies allow escalation of the benefit in line with inflation or a set percentage increase without the need for further medical examinations or paperwork. The increase in the benefit each year is optional and can be refused.
Frequently
Asked
Questions
What is TPD insurance?
TPD (Total and Permanent Disablement) insurance provides a cash lump sum if you suffer a permanent disability arising from an illness or injury and this prevents you from being able to work again. Usually there will be a requirement for you to have been off work for a period of at least three or six months before a claim can be considered. There are different types of TPD insurance including: Any Occupation, Own Occupation, Home Duties and ADL (Activities of Daily Living).
What is linked Life and TPD insurance?
TPD cover is usually taken out as an extension or extra cost option on a Life insurance policy and the Life and TPD insurance covers are “linked”. This means the insurer will only pay on the first to occur of death or TPD and a TPD claim will extinguish the linked Life cover up to the amount paid out. If the policy has a TPD life cover buyback option the Life cover may be restored 12 months after the TPD claim. Standalone TPD cover can also be purchased.
Do you need TPD insurance?
If you are permanently disabled and unable to work again you will not have your income to meet living expenses and debt repayments. There may also be additional costs for medical fees, nursing care and home modifications. A TPD insurance payout can be used to repay debt and provide a lump sum that you and your family can draw down on to maintain your living standard. Use our Insurance Needs Calculator to estimate how much TPD cover you may need.
How is TPD insurance different to Income Protection insurance?
TPD insurance is intended to cover permanent disabilities. It does not provide cover for temporary disabilities, such as short term injuries or illnesses, where you would be expected to recover and be able to return to work. Income Protection insurance on the other hand can be used to cover both short term and long term illnesses or injuries, depending upon the benefit period chosen. Unlike TPD insurance, Income Protection insurance does not pay a cash lump sum, but rather a monthly payment.