Income Protection Insurance

Financial protection if you are temporarily unable to work due to illness or injury.

Key features

You can apply if you’re between 19-60 years (it may be up to 55 dependant on your occupation)
Cover up to 70% of your income or up to $30,000 per month
Your choice of waiting period: 4, 8 or 13 weeks

What is Income Protection Insurance?

Income Protection provides a benefit if you suffer a loss of income due to a Sickness or Injury.

A monthly payment for a nominated period of time can help you keep your household up and running, and provide for your loved ones while you recover.

That's what Income Protection is really about: taking the financial pressure off so you can concentrate on getting back on your feet.

What are the key features?

Cover up to 70% of your income or up to $30,000 per month
Your choice of waiting period: 4, 8 or 13 weeks
You can apply if you’re between 19-60 years (it may be up to 55 dependant on your occupation)

Resources

Flexibility, innovation, great value

How our award-winning life insurance product works for you:

Designed for flexibility

Mix and match a range of products and features to best suit your needs

Simple rewards if you're healthy

Clever features like our popular TAL Health Sense discount

We’re there when it matters

Every working day we pay an average of $10.3m in claims

How much will it cost?

At TAL, we understand that everyone is unique, so naturally your insurance should be too. That's why we've created TAL CoverBuilder to allow you to build your cover, your way.

With Coverbuilder you can choose your insurance and your cover, tailor your cover amount and select the options that best suit you.

Get started with TAL CoverBuilder

GET A QUOTE

Income Protection claims by gender and age

Learn more

Claims statistics based on total number of Income Protection Insurance claims by gender and age accepted by TAL Life Limited between 1 April 2021 and 31 March 2022. Age of claimant based on age at the date of event.

What other benefits does Income Protection include?

Not all benefits, options and sum insured levels are available online.

Totally Unable to Work Benefit

Pays a benefit after the end of the Waiting Period and monthly in arrears if you are Totally Unable to Work because of a Sickness or Injury.

What does Totally Unable to Work mean? Totally Unable to Work means that solely because of Sickness or Injury, the Life Insured is:

not working in any capacity (this includes fulltime, part-time and casual, whether or not for remuneration);
following the advice and treatment plan of a Medical Practitioner in relation to the Sickness or Injury, and
unable to perform all the duties necessary to generate income in the Life Insured’s Own Occupation (if the Life Insured is able to perform any duties necessary to generate income in their Own Occupation, they are not Totally Unable to Work).

Partial Disability Benefit

Pays a portion of the benefit after the end of the Waiting Period and monthly in arrears if you are Partially Unable to Work because of a Sickness or Injury.

What does Partially Unable to Work mean? Partially Unable to Work means that solely because of Sickness or Injury, the Life Insured is:

Working (whether or not for remuneration) in a reduced capacity or capable of working in a reduced capacity;
Following the advice and treatment plan of a Medical Practitioner in relation to the Sickness or Injury; and
Not capable of working more than 80% of the Life Insured’s usual average working hours in the 12 months immediately before the start of the Waiting Period. The usual average working hours immediately before the start of the Waiting Period will be limited to 40 hours a week (if the Life Insured is working more than 40 hours a week)

Recurrent Claim Benefit

If you become Totally Unable to Work or Partially Unable to Work because of the same or related cause of claim within 12 months from the date the claim was last paid to, we will recommence payments without a further Waiting Period.

Inflation Protection Benefit

Automatically increases the Benefit Amount on the Policy anniversary date by the Indexation Factor to help keep pace with inflation when you’re not on claim. Your premiums will also increase as a result of the Benefit Amount increasing. You can opt out of this benefit by contacting us. The Inflation Protection Benefit does not apply when you are on claim.

Bed Confinement Benefit

Pays a benefit if you are Totally Unable to Work and Bed Confined for at least 72 consecutive hours during the Waiting Period.

Waiver of Premium Benefit

Waives your Income Protection premiums when the Totally Unable to Work Benefit or Partially Unable to Work Benefit is payable.

Death Benefit

If the Life Insured dies, we will pay $10,000. If you receive any death benefits from other income protection cover with TAL, these amounts will reduce the death benefit paid under this Policy.

This benefit will not be paid if the death arises directly or indirectly as a result of an intentional, self-inflicted act by the Life Insured:

within 13 months after the Plan start date;
within 13 months after the date of any increases applied for, but only in respect of the increase amount; or
within 13 months after the most recent date we agreed to reinstate the Plan or Policy.

Premium Pause Benefit

Suspend your Income Protection Plan for up to 12 months if you become Unemployed or are on Long Term Leave.

Elective Surgery Benefit

Allows you to make a claim if you are Totally Unable to Work because of undergoing an elective surgery. This benefit is not available within six months of the Plan start date, the date your policy was reinstated or the date of any increase you applied for (but only in respect of the increased portion).

Blood Borne Diseases Benefit

If you are a healthcare professional and you contract a blood borne disease such as HIV, Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C and it prevents you from performing Exposure Prone Procedures or you suffer a reduction in income as a result of this, we may assess you to be disabled even if you are physically able to work. The SIS definition of Temporary Incapacity or Permanent Incapacity must be satisfied if Income Protection is structured through superannuation.

Totally Unable to Work Benefit

Pays a benefit after the end of the Waiting Period and monthly in arrears if you are Totally Unable to Work because of a Sickness or Injury.

What does Totally Unable to Work mean? Totally Unable to Work means that solely because of Sickness or Injury, the Life Insured is:

not working in any capacity (this includes fulltime, part-time and casual, whether or not for remuneration);
following the advice and treatment plan of a Medical Practitioner in relation to the Sickness or Injury, and
unable to perform all the duties necessary to generate income in the Life Insured’s Own Occupation (if the Life Insured is able to perform any duties necessary to generate income in their Own Occupation, they are not Totally Unable to Work).

Partially Unable to Work Benefit

Partial Disability Benefit

Working (whether or not for remuneration) in a reduced capacity or capable of working in a reduced capacity;
Following the advice and treatment plan of a Medical Practitioner in relation to the Sickness or Injury; and
Not capable of working more than 80% of the Life Insured’s usual average working hours in the 12 months immediately before the start of the Waiting Period. The usual average working hours immediately before the start of the Waiting Period will be limited to 40 hours a week (if the Life Insured is working more than 40 hours a week)

Recurrent Claim Benefit

Inflation Protection Benefit

Bed Confinement Benefit

Pays a benefit if you are Totally Unable to Work and Bed Confined for at least 72 consecutive hours during the Waiting Period.

Waiver of Premium Benefit

Waives your Income Protection premiums when the Totally Unable to Work Benefit or Partially Unable to Work Benefit is payable.

Death Benefit

If the Life Insured dies, we will pay $10,000. If you receive any death benefits from other income protection cover with TAL, these amounts will reduce the death benefit paid under this Policy.

This benefit will not be paid if the death arises directly or indirectly as a result of an intentional, self-inflicted act by the Life Insured:

within 13 months after the Plan start date;
within 13 months after the date of any increases applied for, but only in respect of the increase amount; or
within 13 months after the most recent date we agreed to reinstate the Plan or Policy.

Premium Pause Benefit

Suspend your Income Protection Plan for up to 12 months if you become Unemployed or are on Long Term Leave.

Elective Surgery Benefit

Blood Borne Diseases Benefit

What important details do I need to know?

What’s not covered:

No payment will be made under Income Protection and any included or optional benefits (if applicable), if the claim arises:

directly or indirectly because of an intentional, self-inflicted act by the Life Insured;
because of normal and uncomplicated pregnancy, miscarriage or childbirth. Normal and uncomplicated pregnancy includes, but is not limited to morning sickness, backache, varicose veins, ankle swelling, bladder problems, multiple pregnancy, carpal tunnel syndrome, or participation in an IVF or similar program;
directly or indirectly because of War or an act of war, even if the disability manifests itself after the War or warlike activity;
directly or indirectly as a result of the Life Insured’s participation in a criminal act and/or for any period that they are incarcerated due to their participation in a criminal act; or
directly or indirectly as a result of a permanent or temporary banning, deregistration, disqualification or restriction being placed on the Life Insured from performing all or some of the duties of their Working Occupation.

Travel outside Australia

If Life Insured is outside Australia, the Totally Unable To Work Benefit and/or the Partially Unable to Work Benefit will be limited to three months of payments. Entitlement to further and/or ongoing benefits will be assessed once the Life Insured returns to Australia and has met the necessary claim requirements (refer to Section 3 of the PDS for details). If we limit payment of the Totally Unable to Work Benefit and/or Partially unable to Work Benefit payment to three months and the Life Insured remains Totally Unable to Work or Partially Unable to Work, the Overseas Assistance Benefit may be available to assist the Life Insured to return to Australia. This limitation will not apply during periods when the Life Insured is medically certified as unfit for air travel, or where air travel to Australia is not possible.

Waiting Periods & Benefit Periods

A choice of Waiting Periods applies from the Date of Disablement before Benefits commence:

4 weeks;
8 weeks; or
13 weeks

Occupational restrictions may apply when applying for new Income Protection cover or when you increase your Income Protection cover.

Your benefit period options will depend on the income replacement option you choose:

IP Focus:

1 year
2 years, or
5 years

Conditions

All benefit payments under Income Protection are limited by the terms and conditions set out in Section 2.6, Section 3 and Section 9 of the PDS.

The benefit payable may be reduced or stopped as a result of the following:

If you are not working or earning to your full capability (refer to ‘How much is payable and what are the ongoing benefit payments?’ and ‘When will we adjust your benefit payments?’ in Section 2.6.1 for details).
If you are receiving other payments (refer to Section 2.6.5 of the PDS for details).
The Totally Unable to Work Benefit or Partially Unable to Work Benefit will stop after three months if you are overseas (refer to Section 2.6.4 of the PDS for details).

A claim resulting from or related to any of the following will be excluded (refer to Section 2.6.4 of the PDS for details):

Intentional self-inflicted act.
Normal and uncomplicated pregnancy.
War or act of war.
Deregistration, disqualification or restriction which prevents or restricts you from performing your occupation.
Participation in a criminal act and/or for any period that you are incarcerated due to your participation in criminal act.

A claim may not be paid or paid at a reduced amount, if a special condition applies. If applicable, the special condition will be shown in the Policy Schedule.

What is underwriting?

Underwriting is a term used to describe the process of assessing insurance risk prior to issuing a policy. It usually takes the form of questions about your occupation, medical history and activities you enjoy doing. Underwriting is designed to ensure the premiums and cover terms for your insurance plan are appropriate for your own medical situation, lifestyle and occupation, and for the insurer to assess if insurance can be provided to you and if so on what terms.

Loadings & Exclusions

In some cases we will be unable to provide you with all or some parts of the Cover for which you have applied.

In other cases, Cover may be subject to conditions such as a Premium Loading, or an Exclusion.

A Premium Loading will mean that you pay a higher premium for the Cover.

An Exclusion will mean that you will not be Covered if you suffer a specified excluded medical condition, or you are injured as a result of participating in an excluded pastime or activity.

At time of claim, you will need to provide proof of your Pre-Claim Earnings to support the Benefit Amount. If your Pre-Claim Earnings do not justify your monthly insured Benefit Amount, any benefit payable to you will be reduced. If your income has reduced since you purchased your Policy, you may want to review your Income Protection cover and/or speak to a financial adviser.
The Totally Unable to Work Benefit and the Partially Unable to Work Benefit only become payable after the end of the Waiting Period. The only benefits that are potentially payable for an event that occurred during the Waiting Period are the Bed confinement Benefit and the Death Benefit.
The Totally Unable to Work Benefit and the Partially Unable to Work Benefit are paid monthly in arrears after the Waiting Period ends. For example, if you have a 4 week Waiting Period, the first monthly benefit will be paid to you around the end of the second month from when the Waiting Period started and monthly thereafter (unless we agree to an alternative).

What's not covered

What’s not covered:

No payment will be made under Income Protection and any included or optional benefits (if applicable), if the claim arises:

directly or indirectly because of an intentional, self-inflicted act by the Life Insured;
because of normal and uncomplicated pregnancy, miscarriage or childbirth. Normal and uncomplicated pregnancy includes, but is not limited to morning sickness, backache, varicose veins, ankle swelling, bladder problems, multiple pregnancy, carpal tunnel syndrome, or participation in an IVF or similar program;
directly or indirectly because of War or an act of war, even if the disability manifests itself after the War or warlike activity;
directly or indirectly as a result of the Life Insured’s participation in a criminal act and/or for any period that they are incarcerated due to their participation in a criminal act; or
directly or indirectly as a result of a permanent or temporary banning, deregistration, disqualification or restriction being placed on the Life Insured from performing all or some of the duties of their Working Occupation.

Travel outside Australia

Waiting Periods & Benefit Periods

Waiting Periods & Benefit Periods

A choice of Waiting Periods applies from the Date of Disablement before Benefits commence:

4 weeks;
8 weeks; or
13 weeks

Occupational restrictions may apply when applying for new Income Protection cover or when you increase your Income Protection cover.

Your benefit period options will depend on the income replacement option you choose:

IP Focus:

1 year
2 years, or
5 years

Conditions

All benefit payments under Income Protection are limited by the terms and conditions set out in Section 2.6, Section 3 and Section 9 of the PDS.

The benefit payable may be reduced or stopped as a result of the following:

If you are not working or earning to your full capability (refer to ‘How much is payable and what are the ongoing benefit payments?’ and ‘When will we adjust your benefit payments?’ in Section 2.6.1 for details).
If you are receiving other payments (refer to Section 2.6.5 of the PDS for details).
The Totally Unable to Work Benefit or Partially Unable to Work Benefit will stop after three months if you are overseas (refer to Section 2.6.4 of the PDS for details).

A claim resulting from or related to any of the following will be excluded (refer to Section 2.6.4 of the PDS for details):

Intentional self-inflicted act.
Normal and uncomplicated pregnancy.
War or act of war.
Deregistration, disqualification or restriction which prevents or restricts you from performing your occupation.
Participation in a criminal act and/or for any period that you are incarcerated due to your participation in criminal act.

A claim may not be paid or paid at a reduced amount, if a special condition applies. If applicable, the special condition will be shown in the Policy Schedule.

During your assessment

What is underwriting?

Loadings & Exclusions

In some cases we will be unable to provide you with all or some parts of the Cover for which you have applied.

In other cases, Cover may be subject to conditions such as a Premium Loading, or an Exclusion.

A Premium Loading will mean that you pay a higher premium for the Cover.

An Exclusion will mean that you will not be Covered if you suffer a specified excluded medical condition, or you are injured as a result of participating in an excluded pastime or activity.

Other important information

At time of claim, you will need to provide proof of your Pre-Claim Earnings to support the Benefit Amount. If your Pre-Claim Earnings do not justify your monthly insured Benefit Amount, any benefit payable to you will be reduced. If your income has reduced since you purchased your Policy, you may want to review your Income Protection cover and/or speak to a financial adviser.
The Totally Unable to Work Benefit and the Partially Unable to Work Benefit only become payable after the end of the Waiting Period. The only benefits that are potentially payable for an event that occurred during the Waiting Period are the Bed confinement Benefit and the Death Benefit.
The Totally Unable to Work Benefit and the Partially Unable to Work Benefit are paid monthly in arrears after the Waiting Period ends. For example, if you have a 4 week Waiting Period, the first monthly benefit will be paid to you around the end of the second month from when the Waiting Period started and monthly thereafter (unless we agree to an alternative).

Claims at TAL

Every claim we pay is a promise kept

Last financial year we paid $2.7 billion in claims to 39,628 customers. That’s equivalent to over $52 million a week.

People often think claims are all about payments to families when a loved one passes away. And of course, that's part of what we do. But 71% of all the claims we paid last year were to help customers keep living the lives they love, after an accident or illness.

Learn More

Your guide to making a claim

When things go wrong with your health, or the health of a loved one, you may find yourself doing many things for the first time. It’s sometimes tricky to know where to start and it can feel overwhelming. We’re here to support you to make your claim as easy as possible.

If you need to make a claim with TAL, you’ll be assigned a dedicated claims consultant. They’re there to understand your situation and what they can do to support you when making a claim.

Learn More

Why choose TAL as your Income Protection provider?

TAL is a leading Life Insurance specialist

Trusted by 4.9 million Australians

$2.7 billion in claims paid in 2021/22 FY

When you're ready, our Career Coaching services can help

What other insurance can I include in my TAL life insurance plan?

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