Christmas is almost here! Who is excited for presents, fantastic food, and time with family? Once the hubbub is over, some of us – if we’re lucky! – take a bit of a break in January. In addition to heading to the beach, or reading a good book, this time can provide a good opportunity to do some ‘life admin’ – you know, those jobs that you just keep putting off Getting on top of your super is a prime example. We all know how important it is to our future financial wellbeing, but it’s easy to forget when you’re balancing work, kids, pets and everything else! But if we’ve learned anything from the last couple of years, things can change very quickly, and it’s important to know your rights and options in the event that you find yourself unable to work because of illness or injury. Insurance in your super, including total and permanent disability (TPD) insurance and income protection, is a crucial part of protecting the future for you and your family.
If you
- are thinking about making a TPD or income protection claim
- have already lodged a claim but you’re not happy with how it’s going, or
- just want to get organised and ensure you’re across what your rights and entitlements are
let Littles help with our 2021 TPD recap! It includes some of the most important things you need to know about your super and the insurance coverage it provides.
1. Seek quality legal advice early on
While most of us already have lots of different kinds of insurance, running a super TPD claim can be complex. Understanding all of your options early on in the process is crucial. Obtaining high quality legal advice from TPD experts before you make your claim – or even before you stop work – can set you up for success in the long run.
Read more here:
How much do lawyers charge for TPD claims – Littles
2. Keep a close eye on your super fund balance
If your super balance falls below a certain amount, or your account becomes inactive because you stop making contributions, you may lose your insurance coverage. Before making changes to your super arrangements, have a careful think through the potential impacts.
Read more here:
Help! How do I protect my super if I’ve been made redundant – Littles
Options for sick and injured workers now that JobKeeper has ended – Littles
3. Educate yourself about what your super insurance entitles you to
Every super fund and insurer is different. It’s worth familiarising yourself with your super fund and the default cover that you have by virtue of being a member of the fund.
Read more here:
I already have lots of insurance. Why do I need insurance through my super fund – Littles
Do you have insurance with REST? – Littles
Calling all tradies and construction workers! Do you have TPD insurance with CBUS – Littles
Are you an AustralianSuper member – Littles
QSuper and Sunsuper to merge and form Australian Retirement Trust – Littles
4. New super rules might affect you!
If you’re not quite up to speed with all the changes to super laws that occurred in 2021, don’t stress! We’ve broken down the key points in a few handy articles.
Read more here:
If you’re starting a new job in 2021, you need to know about changes to super! – Littles
Super stapling, TPD insurance and what it all means for you – Littles
Littles cheat sheet: What you need to know about recent changes to super – Littles
5. Not happy with how your insurer is handling your claim? Don’t suffer in silence!
Is your insurer bombarding you with requests for information? Telling you that you need to sit down with an investigator? Taking months to respond to simple queries? We say: know your rights!
Read more here:
How do I make a complaint about my insurer – Littles
6. If your super TPD claim has been rejected, don’t despair
It’s easy to feel despondent if your insurer has rejected your TPD claim. However, don’t despair. At Littles, we have successfully helped clients who’ve had their claims rejected get a fair go from their insurer.
Read more here:
My TPD claim has been rejected. What do I do next? – Littles
7. If you’ve got a mental illness or condition, you’re eligible to make a TPD claim
Ignore the misinformation. If you are suffering from a mental illness or condition that prevents you from working, you can generally make a TPD claim.
Read more here:
Littles’ TPD mythbuster – the depression and mental health edition – Littles
Depression and TPD claims – Littles
I have a mental illness and cannot work. Can I make a TPD claim? – Littles
8. If you’ve got a chronic illness or condition, you’re eligible for TPD
Many people believe that TPD insurance is for people who have been injured as a result of a workplace incident. This is not the case. If you are suffering from a mental illness or condition that prevents you from working, you can generally make a TPD claim.
Read more here:
Littles TPD mythbuster – the chronic illness edition – Littles
Information on TPD claims for people with Multiple Sclerosis – Littles
I have a chronic illness. Am I eligible for TPD benefits? – Little
9. You may be able to work after you’ve made a successful TPD claim
Every insurer and TPD policy is different. This includes how ‘total and permanent disability’ is defined, and the limitations this places on you in terms of working after your claim has been accepted. Under some policies, you may be able to work after you have successfully claimed TPD benefits.
Read more here:
10. You can generally run a workplace compensation claim at the same time as your TPD claim
If you can no longer work because of an injury that occurred at work, you may be able to make a workers compensation claim and a TPD claim at the same time.
Don’t delay – seek advice now
Do you have an injury or illness that prevents you from working, or just want to know more about what insurance you have under your super? Get in touch with Littles for a free super claims check. We can help you understand what you’re entitled to. Know where you stand, and get peace of mind.
Free advice and no upfront fees
Not only do we offer a FREE claims check – we handle most insurance claims on a no win, no fee basis. Our Head of TPD and General Insurance, Rowan McDonald, is an insurance law expert. If you think you might have a claim, get in touch with Rowan and his team for high quality legal advice.
