Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) Insurance

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What is TPD insurance?

TPD may provide financial security for you and your family if you were unable to work due to becoming ‘totally permanently disabled’ from illness or injury. But every provider typically has a different definition for ‘totally and permanently disabled’, which is why it’s important to read the product disclosure statement (PDS)…

What benefits could I get through TPD insurance?

If you become Totally and Permanently Disabled and you’re insured with suitable cover, you may receive a one-off lump-sum payment to help pay for rehabilitation, debts and your future cost of living. How much depends on your disability, the terms of your policy and the eligibility of your claim.

What are the different occupation definitions and how do they affect TPD cover?

Own occupation

This refers to whether or not you’re only unable to work in your current occupation following an accident or injury. For example, you may no longer be able to work on-site following an accident or injury if you’re a builder or electrician, but you may be able to still work in an administrative or office capacity.

Any occupation

This refers to whether or not you’re unable to work in any occupation following an accident or injury. Simply put, if your policy uses the ‘any occupation’ definition, then you may not be able to make a TPD claim unless you’re unable to work in any occupation at all following an accident or injury.

Activities of daily living

If you’re unable to perform some of the tasks listed as activities of daily living in your policy, you may be able to claim payable benefits on your TPD policy. Depending on your policy and provider, some of these activities can include bathing and showering, dressing and undressing, eating and drinking, using the toilet, and the extent to which your movement is restricted either by walking, or by wheelchair or some form of walking aid.

Domestic duties

This refers to whether or not you’re able to perform domestic duties following an accident or injury. Domestic duties cover is typically relevant for someone whose sole occupation is to maintain the family home. Examples of domestic duties can include cleaning of the home, preparing family meals, doing family laundry, shopping for family groceries, and taking care of dependent children.

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Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) cover explained, with iSelect.

Learn more about how TPD cover works in this short video.

Your TPD Insurance questions, answered

What does TPD insurance typically cover?

What’s generally not covered in TPD insurance?

How do I make a claim?

Can I get TPD through my super fund?

What are the premiums associated with TPD insurance?

Should I consider TPD insurance?

Do I require TPD insurance if I work in a high-risk profession?

What are some of the factors to consider when comparing providers?*

What should I tell my provider before signing up?

How much can TPD insurance cost?

Can I bundle my TPD cover with my Life Insurance?

Can multiple people be insured under a single TPD policy?

How do I compare TPD insurance policies?

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**iSelect’s partnered with Lifebroker (AFS Licence number: 400209) to help you compare a range of Life Insurance policies. iSelect earns a commission from Lifebroker for each customer referred through the website or contact centre. Lifebroker do not compare all life insurers or policies in the market.

iSelect Life Pty Ltd – ABN 89 124 304 347, AFS Licence Number 331128. Any advice provided by iSelect is of a general nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. You need to consider the appropriateness of any information or general advice iSelect gives you, having regard to your personal situation, before acting on iSelect’s advice or purchasing any policies. You should consider iSelect’s Financial Services Guide which provides information about iSelect services and your rights as a client of iSelect.’