Guide to the Top 6 Most Common TPD Claims
The Most Common TPD Claims in Australia
You likely don’t know your legal entitlements when you have an illness or injury and can’t work. Although most Australian workers have Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) insurance coverage through their superannuation fund they often don’t know they qualify for a TPD payout. So, this article outlines the common types of TPD claims in Australia, which could help you understand your options.
At Aussie Injury Lawyers, our TPD lawyers let you know if you can make a TPD claim, for free – Call Now 1300 873 252 or email us >
Common Super Fund Life Insurance Policies
It’s typical for everyday Aussies to have multiple super insurance policies for when the unexpected happens. You probably dislike giving your hard-earned money to insurance companies, but most people understand the necessity of having financial protection. Generally, we don’t want anything to go wrong in our lives, but not having insurance at a time like that could leave you financially destitute.
Almost all working Australians have contributed money to superannuation fund accounts. If you are one of these, you most likely have several life insurance policies within your Super fund. You could have:
Total and Permanent Disability Claims
When you cannot work in your usual occupation because of an illness or injury, you could make a total and permanent disability claim. In Australia, many medical conditions qualify for TPD insurance claims, including recognised psychological diseases. Successful TPD insurance claim payouts are usually in the form of a lump sum payment. Some fortunate people can make multiple TPD claims if they have contributed to multiple super funds with associated TPD policies.
Life Insurance Cover
Life insurance is also known as terminal illness, death cover or death claims. When you are terminally ill or have passed, you or your loved ones can access a lump sum payout or an income stream.
Income Protection Insurance (TTD)
You could claim income protection insurance when a temporary illness or injury stops you from working. Usually, a TTD payout is 75% of your usual pay and distributed as an income stream.
More about TPD Insurance Claims
What are the Most Common TPD Claims?
It is essential to understand that when claiming your TPD insurance benefits, how you acquired your illness or injury is of no concern. The most crucial factor when you make a TPD claim is that your medical condition stops you from working in your regular job.
In Australia, some common types of illnesses, physical injuries and psychological disorders qualify for a successful disability claim. When making a claim, the most important factor to consider is providing medical evidence that shows you won’t fully recover from your ailment. Here are some common physical or mental disorders that qualify as TPD.
1. Cancer TPD Claim
In Australia, more than 400 people a day are diagnosed with cancer and sadly, about 135 people pass away from this medical ailment every day. Thankfully, a wide range of terminal cancers qualify as a total and permanent disability.
If you are a working Australian with a terminal cancer diagnosis, making it hard for you to work and earn a living, you could claim TPD. Generally, you will require extensive treatment such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, resulting in considerable medical expenses. So your insurance payout will help you fund your life during this challenging time, allowing you to make the most of your life.
2. Claiming TPD for PTSD
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric illness suffered by people who have lived through a stressful incident like war, violence, sexual assault, severe accident, a near-death experience or similar. Common symptoms of PTSD include upsetting feelings and thoughts associated with the disturbing event that can profoundly impact their life. The persistent symptoms of PTSD make it challenging to keep working and doing other everyday responsibilities.
TPD Claims for mental illness are increasingly common in Australia as insurance companies and employers understand the impacts psychiatric conditions have on the ability of employees to do their job.
3. TPD for Anxiety and Depression
More than 2 million Australians are living with depression and anxiety, ranging from mild to debilitating. Given the impact of this type of mental health disorder on your capacity to work, it should not be surprising that depression and anxiety are common types of mental illness disability claims. Severe anxiety and depression can disrupt your ability to work due to the inability to focus, the capacity to process your thoughts, or perform simple tasks like getting out of bed every day.
When you are medically diagnosed as suffering from anxiety and depression, you could have a successful TPD claim for a psychological illness.
4. Stroke & Heart Attack Claims
In Australia, every 9 minutes, a person is admitted to the hospital due to a heart attack. Heart disease can happen at any stage of your life; however, your chance of stroke or heart attack increases as you age. Your propensity for having a heart event can be associated with your family history, medical history and age, but it is also influenced by other factors such as smoking, weight, diet and cholesterol levels. A heart attack generally happens when blood flow to your heart is blocked or reduced. The limited blood flow can damage your heart and lead to death.
If you have a heart event, your ability to work can be severely impaired, giving rise to a TPD or TTD claim, depending on whether your condition is temporary or permanent.
Partial paralysis can result from a stroke, reducing your capacity to communicate, speak, drive, operate machinery and perform other daily tasks. In this situation, you would likely be considered total and permanently disabled.
If you have had a heart or stroke, your medical professional (GP, surgeon or hospital staff) will assess your capacity to return to work, temporarily or permanently. Since these types of medical incidents happen later in life, claiming TPD benefits and retiring early may be a good choice.
People who suffer a heart attack or stroke and qualify as having a permanent disability can make a TPD and receive a lump sum payout. They also have the option of accessing their super early because they can’t work.
5. Loss of Sight or Hearing Claims
Loss of one of your primary senses, such as hearing or sight, is very distressing. You will likely need to make substantial changes to your life to cope with your new situation. Often the loss of a sense can be sudden and unanticipated, making the impact of this event on your life more traumatic.
Blindness can be associated with age-related vision decline, diabetes, glaucoma, a heart event or an accident’s outcome. Hearing loss is often related to age, a physical injury, viral infections, shingles, exposure to excessive noise, diabetes and other external factors.
If you have declining vision or hearing, it can impact your capacity to work, depending on the nature of your usual occupation. To qualify as TPD, you need to be unable to work in your regular job, in most cases, depending on the terms and conditions of your superannuation policy insurance. In this situation, our team of expert TPD lawyers can guide you through the TPD claim process so you can access the money you need to cope with your new living conditions.
6. TPD Claim for Loss of Limb
Losing a limb or section of a limb is a serious but sometimes necessary decision made to ensure survival. Amputation can also be the outcome of a severe or catastrophic accident. Limbs are sometimes removed because of the following:
- a severe wound or infectious disease
- gangrene infection
- due to cancerous tissue
- because of a bad accident
- deformed limb
It is an understatement to say that amputation would disrupt your life. You will most likely need to relearn how to do everyday tasks at home and at work. You will probably need home modifications to adjust to your new condition and may need part or full-time care. You are highly likely to qualify for a successful TPD claim payout in this situation.
How TPD Claim Lawyers Can Help You
We have reviewed the common reasons for claiming TPD in Australia. A diverse range of illnesses and physical conditions qualify as a disability to claim TPD insurance benefits in Australia.
Aussie Injury Lawyers have assisted thousands of everyday Australians with their TPD eligibility, including those unsure they had a chance. When we take on your claim, you can take comfort in the knowledge our TPD claim specialists have a 99% success rate. Choosing Aussie for your permanent disability claim will give you the best chance to successfully claim TPD benefits.
All our insurance legal services are provided on a 100% No Win No Fee basis. Pay nothing to start your claim and nothing during the life of your case. Pay our fees when you win, and nothing if you lose. It’s the Aussie No Win, No Fee, No Risk guarantee.
Common TPD Claim Questions
While the term “Total and Permanent Disability” can give the perception that you must have a serious injury or illness, this is not essential to successfully claim TPD. Getting a lump sum TPD payout generally relies on meeting the definition of total and permanent disability of your insurance policy. Most claimants only need to show that a health issue prevents them from performing their regular occupation or a role for which they have training or experience. Generally, this requires your medical records and evidence to prove your case.
Aussie Injury Lawyers understand the TPD claims process and how to satisfy the terms of your TPD policy. For free, we will do the following:
- Locate your insurance policies
- Analyse the terms and conditions
- Understand your TPD definition
- Work with you to make a successful claim; pay only when you win.
In Australia (according to SuperRatings data), approximately 30% of insurance companies approve about 90% of TPD claims annually. However, statistics from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) reveal that at least 16% of TPD claims are denied annually, making them the most commonly rejected category of insurance claims. It’s interesting to note that the refusal rate varies significantly depending on the insurance company. For this reason, your best chance of successfully claiming a TPD insurance benefit is to work with a TPD lawyer with a 99% success rate – like Aussie Injury Lawyers.
Some lucky Aussies can make multiple TPD claims for one injury or illness because they have contributed to multiple superannuation funds. Typically, people forget they contributed to a super fund because they shift jobs every few years. The good news is that even if you haven’t paid into a super account for a period, you could still have current permanent disability insurance.
Unsure if you can lodge more than one TPD insurance claim? No problem. For free, Aussie Injury Lawyers will investigate your current insurance cover and advise on your best legal options for a TPD lump sum payment. Call Now – 1300 873 252
