If you are unable to work following a total or partial disability, it’s possible that you may be entitled to income protection insurance benefits through a specialised insurer, your bank, or even your superannuation. Many individuals are not aware of their ability to make a claim because it’s not always common to receive income protection policy documents from an insurer.
Income Protection Insurance - What is it?
Not being able to work due to illness or injury can have adverse effects. Not earning an income is one of them. Income protection is there to cover you for income loss due to ongoing medical conditions and or injuries.
Income protection insurance can be bought directly from an insurer or through your current bank or even through your existing Superfund. You might not even know you are covered or to what extent you will be covered.
Terms and conditions vary between insurers and a lot of the time you don’t receive any written policy regarding this cover. Income protection claims can often be very difficult to deal with; so it’s best you seek legal advice to help wherever possible, not only to make sense of the fine print but also to help recoup your full entitlements as quickly as possible and for as long as you need to be covered.
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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.
FAQs
Can I represent myself, or do I need a superannuation lawyer?
It is possible to legally represent yourself when making a claim however, doing so successfully will likely require a thorough understanding of the law, your legal rights and entitlements, and a commitment to actively pursue the case to move it forward.
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 superannuation 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 superannuation 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.
What is income protection insurance
Lodging an income protection insurance claim can be a complicated process and fraught with delays and complications should you choose to go it alone.
It is for these reasons that many people choose to make an income protection insurance claim through an expert lawyer that knows the ins and outs of the system, how to deal with insurers and all the tips and tricks to ensure you get your full entitlements, as quickly as possible.
How much does income protection insurance cover me for?
Generally speaking, income protection insurance can cover about 75% of your pre-injury or illness salary. This percentage, along with the frequency of payments, age limit restrictions, length of time to claim and whether or not you can still receive payments following termination of employment or payout of a TPD benefit, differ from policy to policy.
Can I still receive workers’ compensation payments or Centrelink benefits?
The short answer is yes; but doing so may mean payments that fall under your income protection insurance are reduced due to offset clauses included in your income protection insurance policy.
Are there time limits for income protection insurance claims?
Yes. There are strict time limits that apply to income protection insurance claims, which is why you should seek expert legal advice as soon as possible following the injury or illness that prevents you from being able to work in your normal capacity.
How long does an income protection claim take?
How long an income protection insurance claim takes depends on the waiting period within your policy, which is typically between two weeks to three months. An expert lawyer should be able to tell you how long the claim may take once they know more about your situation and policy.
What happens if my insurer refuses to pay up?
It’s not uncommon for insurers to dodge their duty and refuse claims based on inadequate analysis of the facts. We’ve seen situations where the insurer finds a doctor that deems the person fit for work or tries to cancel the policy based on fraud due to non-disclosure.
What we’ve found is that these challenges show our character as a law firm to achieve outstanding results for clients. As one of the biggest insurance litigation firms in Australia, we’ve helped many clients successfully overturn decisions from their insurers and receive the ongoing income protection payments they deserve.
