Death benefit and life insurance claims

Superannuation and disability insurance

Who can make a life insurance claim?

Life insurance, which can also be referred to as death benefits, is a type of insurance within an individual’s superannuation policy. All Australian super funds must have this type of insurance included within their policy. You can only make a life insurance or death benefit claim if you were financially dependent on (or requiring financial support from) the person who has passed away. Dependents can include those who were:

Legally married
De facto partners (including same-sex partners)
Children
Financial dependents or inter-dependents

Here at Shine, our dedicated team of expert insurance claims lawyers have the experience, compassion and understanding to guide you through making life insurance claims process.

We keep it simple and stress-free, and we’re here for you and your family every step of the way.

What can I claim for?

If you were a spouse, child, or any other dependent of a loved one who has passed away, you may be entitled to:

All or part of their super contributions
Connected insurance benefits

How long will it take?

Depending on the complexity of your case, your insurance benefit claim can take between 12-18 months to be assessed and finalised by a fund or insurer.

Please keep in mind that there are strict time limits for contesting life insurance or death benefits claims.

Fees

Ensuring everyone has access to justice is important to us and that’s why we offer our death benefits and life insurance services on a No Win, No Fee* basis. This means you won’t have to worry about legal fees unless we receive a successful outcome for you.

*Conditions apply.

How Shine can help

We have helped thousands of Australians right wrong and access more than $1 billion per year in entitlements and compensation through our expert services.

95% of the cases we represent are settled without the stress of going to court.

With our 1000+ workforce and business maturity, we have the scale, expertise and agility to take on the tough cases and win.

We are ready to take action to unlock access to what is rightfully yours and right wrong.

Super & Disability Insurance

Death benefits and life insurance FAQs

Can I claim superannuation death benefit payments before I die?

Yes – but usually only by the policy holder. You will also need two doctors to certify that the individual is suffering from a terminal illness and has less than one year to live.

Do I have to lodge any papers when making a life insurance or death benefit claim?

Yes – in death benefit claims you need to submit a claim form and documents showing your relationship to the deceased and any financial dependents. Your lawyer will help you every step of the way during this difficult time.

Can I represent myself, or do I need a life insurance lawyer?

Without an experienced superannuation and disability insurance lawyer in your corner, it can be difficult to identify and highlight the strength of your case.

Without the right legal advice and support, you then may not receive the compensation you're entitled to.

Is there a death benefits and life insurance lawyer near me?

With more than 40 branches across Australia and 1000+ team members, location is no barrier when it comes to accessing Shine Lawyers legal advice and support.

If you’d like to speak to our superannuation and disability insurance team in person, you can see our full list of locations here.

If you aren‘t able to find a location near you, we can easily arrange an obligation-free virtual appointment or discuss the option to meet at a location that’s comfortable and convenient for you. No matter where you are located, we will always provide the same, expert advice and manage your claim with the same level of quality and commitment.

Why trust Shine to be my death benefits and life insurance lawyers?

At Shine Lawyers, we put your first. We’ve been standing up for the rights of everyday Australians for over 45 years. As one of Australia’s largest litigation law firms, we are here to help you get the justice you deserve

Our empathy, understanding and expertise is why we’re ahead of the pack. We’ll stand with you and guide you through every step of the way.