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Income protection insurance

It's trite but true to say that, for most people, their most valuable asset is their ability to earn an income. But how relevant is income insurance to most Australians?
Ask yourself what would happen if you woke up tomorrow and found you were incapable of working for an extended period.
Could you support your household?
Meet your loan repayments?
Save for the future?
Income protection insurance, also known as disability insurance, pays you an income if you are unable to work because of sickness or injury.
You can insure to receive payments (usually monthly) of up to 75 per cent of your current income while you're out of action.

Doesn't WorkCover or my super fund already protect me?

Insuring your most valuable asset
While many people would consider their home or their car to be their most valuable asset, it's your ability to earn an income that is most important in shaping your financial future. Statistically, two thirds of working Australians will suffer an injury or illness that will sideline them for 90 days or more. The majority of these people would not be able to pay their mortgage or meet car finance and other loan commitments without adequate income insurance.
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WorkCover protects you if your injury is connected with work. But it doesn't cover you for sickness or if you have an accident hiking on holidays.
It's worth checking on your super fund, though. Many super funds now provide salary continuance insurance which will pay you an income for up to two years if you're unable to work.
This may mean you can get away without income protection insurance, or opt for a cheaper policy.

How do I choose an income protection policy?

It's worth talking to an adviser (as opposed to a salesperson) about which one suits your needs. Most insurers have several products on offer and a range of options that come with each product.
The first choice is between an agreed-value policy and an indemnity policy.
With an agreed-value policy, you have to prove your income up front, but once that's done, you know exactly what you'll be paid if you're unable to work.
This type of policy is more expensive, but suits people like the self-employed who have variable incomes and want some certainty about their claims.
With an indemnity policy, the company generally insures you for what you say you earn up front, but asks you to verify your income if you make a claim.
Both types of policy can be increased each year for inflation, but if you're likely to have a rising income, it may also make sense to choose a policy that allows you to increase the sum insured without the need for new applications and medicals.
Income protection policies also come in basic and deluxe versions.
The basic version generally provides you only with income payments while the deluxe version can have add-ons such as paying nursing care or accommodation benefits or paying benefits immediately if you have an accident - rather than insisting on the normal waiting period.
It's also important to understand exactly when you can claim.
All income protection policies include definitions on when you are unable to work.
Some of the cheaper policies, for instance, say you can claim only if you are unable to perform your normal job; other policies will pay if you are unable to perform one or more of your important duties.
Policies also have exclusions - circumstances in which they won't pay - which are worth knowing.
There is also a range of choices to make on issues such as how long you're prepared to wait before making a claim and how long you want the income payments to go for if you do claim.

Is income protection expensive?

Premiums can vary significantly.
As a rule, women and blue-collar workers pay more, though the increase in stress-related claims by white-collar workers has resulted in higher premiums - especially for professionals such as doctors and lawyers.

Can I do anything to cut the costs?

Income protection insurance is tax-deductible, so the costs can be reduced by making sure you claim your premiums in your annual tax return. (But any claims you make will be taxed as income.)
Outside this, the simplest way to cut the premium is to opt for a longer waiting period or limit the period in which you can claim.
Waiting periods can extend as far as two years while income payments can be for as little as a couple of years or up to age 65.
Some insurers will give you a discount if you provide evidence of your income up front, and some offer lower premiums if you agree to a 12-month limit on payments for conditions caused by mental disorders such as depression or stress.
Many people also don't realise that they can insure for less than 75 per cent of their income - maybe insuring the full amount for the first two years and then 50 per cent after that.
Needless to say, you can also cut costs by not paying for extras that you don't think you'll need.
But bear in mind that the real test of the policy comes when you make a claim - paying a few extra dollars for certainty can be better than simply taking the cheapest deal going
Business Insurance
If you're in the process of buying or renewing your business insurance, whether it be a factory, a shop, office, warehouse, a farm or whatever .. even a home-based business, we can show you a quick way through the maze of offers and options available on the market. Our Australia-wide broker panel will ensure that you get the best cover for your specific needs … and at the right price to suit your budget.
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Need a Boat Loan?
We provide direct access to the best Boat Loan rates and options in Australia through our national panel of specialist marine finance brokers. Simply complete our quick & easy Boat Loan quote enquiry form to see if you qualify - and to gain access to the best Boat Loan offers from our broker panel.
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Insurance Articles

10 Traps to Avoid When Comparing Income Protection Insurance
You may think that it's better to have some form of income protection insurance than none at all but, for a large proportion of people, their income protection insurance arrangements may not live up... read more

Why life insurance is a necessity in tough times
With household budgets under pressure ... and consumer confidence weak, many families are wondering whether life insurance is worth the expense. Or maybe it is something they can do without? read more

Things to Consider While Choosing Commercial Building Insurance
A commercial building is one where your business is housed. Whatever is the type of your business, be it manufacturing, sales, retail, or any service, there is certain quantum of risk for which insurance... read more

Car Insurance - Why Is Young Driver Car Insurance So Expensive?
The cost of insurance for young drivers is often prohibitive. 17 year old drivers will pay the highest premiums... WHY? read more

Insurance Disputes
Just because your insurer has rejected your claim, does not necessarily mean that your case is closed. If you think that you have been unfairly treated, here are some ways to get the insurer decision... read more

Loss of income insurance: Case Study
Rebecca is a single, self-employed graphic designer who works from home. Aged in her mid-30s, she has monthly commitments of a mortgage and car payments and the usual living expenses. read more

Compare Health Insurance Policies for Pre-Existing Condition Coverage
Understanding your health insurance options can be confusing to begin with. If you or someone you love suffers from a pre-existing condition - that is an illness or condition that began within six months... read more

Insurance: The Absolute Basics
Insurance has often been considered by many as a necessary evil. But for the majority of people, insurance offers real security, peace of mind and forms a fundamental platform for a more certain financial... read more

Business Interruption Insurance - Getting the Indemnity Period Right
Business Interruption Insurance can be what stands between the collapse or survival of your business following major loss such as a fire, flood or storm. As important as getting the sum insured right... read more

Ambulance Cover: Do You Need It?
Medicare in Australia doesn't cover ambulance services or emergency transport. These services are more often covered by private health insurance. However, private funds are not the only ambulance and... read more


Insurance News

If insurance was free, would there still be an underinsurance problem?
Nov 20 :: Even if price wasn’t a factor, AMP’s Chris Kirby argues that Australia would still have an under-insurance problem. This is why it is the industry’s job to kill preconceptions and engage clients.... read more

Regulatory compulsion propels commercial insurance
Oct 26 :: Australia is the second largest advanced market in Asia for commercial insurance, not least because of regulatory requirements around issues of professional indemnity, according to new research released... read more


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