TPD Claims Australia
Specialist Help With
Your TPD Claim
Get expert support with your
TPD (Total and Permanent Disability) claim.
VIP Life Claims helps Australians navigate TPD eligibility, medical and occupational evidence, policy requirements and the entire claims process from start to finish.
Free confidential claim check
No upfront fee
No win, no fee
What Is a TPD Claim?
A Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) claim is a claim for an insurance benefit that may be payable when illness or injury prevents you from returning to work in accordance with the definition contained in your policy.
Many Australians hold TPD insurance through their superannuation fund, although cover can also be held through a personal insurance policy or more than one super fund.
Whether you qualify for a TPD benefit depends on the wording of your particular policy, your medical circumstances, your work history and the evidence available to support your claim.
You do not necessarily need to be unable to perform every type of work forever, the definition that applies to your policy is what matters.
VIP Life Claims helps identify the applicable TPD definition, assess the evidence required and manage the claim through the insurer’s assessment process.
Not sure whether you qualify?
We can check your TPD cover and circumstances before you start the claim.
Who May Be Eligible for a TPD Claim?
You may be able to make a TPD claim
if illness or injury has significantly affected your ability to work
and you hold TPD insurance that responds to your circumstances.
The exact eligibility test depends on the wording of your policy.
Unable to Return to Your
Usual Occupation
Your medical condition may prevent you from returning to the work you were doing before you became ill or injured.
Serious Illness or Injury
TPD claims may arise from physical injuries, chronic illness, neurological conditions, mental health conditions and other significant medical circumstances.
More Than One TPD Policy
You may have TPD cover through more
than one super fund or insurance policy.
Whether multiple claims can be made
depends on the terms of each policy.
Unable to Work in Another Suitable Occupation
Some TPD definitions consider whether your education, training and experience would allow you to work in another suitable occupation.
TPD Cover Through Superannuation
Many Australians hold TPD insurance
through their super fund, sometimes without realising the cover is there.
Not Currently Working
Being unemployed, receiving workers compensation or income protection, or having already stopped work does not by itself determine TPD eligibility. Your policy definition and individual circumstances remain important.
Unsure if your circumstances may qualify?
How the TPD Claim Process Works
2. Assess Your Eligibility
We review the applicable policy definition against your medical circumstances, employment history, education, training and experience.
3. Build the Evidence
A strong TPD claim usually requires carefully prepared medical, occupational and supporting evidence relevant to the policy definition.
4. Prepare & Lodge the Claim
We coordinate the documentation, forms and supporting material and manage lodgement with the insurer or super fund.
5. Insurer Assessment
We manage requests for further information, follow up progress and communicate with the insurer throughout the assessment.
6. Claim Decision
The insurer assesses the claim against the policy terms. If further information or clarification is required, we help manage that process through to the insurer's decision.
You don't have to navigate the TPD claim process alone.
Real Experience.
Real TPD Claims.
Within 24 Hours
Typical response time to new enquiries.
100%
Of completed TPD claims managed by VIP have been approved to date.
5 Business Days
Average time to complete our initial TPD claim review.
Based on all completed TPD claims managed by VIP Life Claims to date. No completed TPD claims have been declined or withdrawn. Past outcomes do not guarantee future claim outcomes. Every claim is assessed on its individual circumstances and policy terms.
What Can You Make a TPD Claim For?
TPD claims are not limited
to catastrophic injuries.
Depending on your policy, a claim may arise from an illness, injury or medical condition that affects your capacity to work and meets the Total and Permanent Disability definition in your policy.
Mental Health Conditions
Depression, anxiety, PTSD and other psychological conditions may support a TPD claim where their impact satisfies the relevant policy definition.
Back, Neck & Spinal Conditions
Chronic pain, spinal injuries and degenerative conditions can affect a person's ability to continue working
in their occupation.
Cancer & Serious Illness
Cancer and other serious or chronic illnesses may result in a TPD entitlement depending on their ongoing impact and the policy terms.
Neurological Conditions
Conditions affecting the brain, nervous system or physical function may potentially support a TPD claim.
Workplace & Accidental
Injuries
A TPD claim may sometimes be available in addition to workers' compensation or
other compensation entitlements.
Heart & Cardiovascular Conditions
Heart disease, cardiac events and other cardiovascular conditions may support a TPD claim where they have an ongoing impact on a person's ability to return to work.
Chronic Pain & Fatigue Conditions
Some chronic pain, fatigue and complex medical conditions may support a TPD claim where symptoms are ongoing and significantly affect work capacity.
Autoimmune & Complex Medical Conditions
Autoimmune, inflammatory and other complex medical conditions may support a TPD claim where they create lasting restrictions on a person's ability to work.
These examples are not exhaustive. TPD eligibility depends on your individual circumstances, medical evidence and the applicable TPD definition in your insurance policy.
Could You Be Eligible for a TPD Claim?
You don't need to work that out alone.
We can review your circumstances and TPD cover, explain whether there may be a potential TPD claim, and outline the next steps.
Can I Claim TPD Through My Super?
Yes - you may be able to.
Many Australians hold Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) insurance through their superannuation fund, sometimes without realising the cover is there.
If you become unable to work because of illness or injury, you may be entitled to make a TPD insurance claim through your super fund, depending on the cover you held and the applicable policy definition.
01
You May Already Have TPD Cover
TPD insurance is commonly provided through superannuation. Your super statement, online account or policy documents can show whether you hold TPD cover and the amount insured
02
Your Policy Definition Matters
Having TPD insurance does not automatically mean a claim will be paid. Your claim must satisfy the definition of Total and Permanent Disability that applies to your cover, together with the relevant policy terms.
03
Old Super Funds May Still Matter
If you previously held insurance through another super fund, it can be worth checking whether cover existed when your illness or injury affected your ability to work. Closing or changing a super account does not necessarily answer whether an earlier insured event may be claimable, the policy history and dates need to be checked.
04
You May Have More Than One Policy
Some people have TPD insurance through more than one super account or insurance policy. Whether more than one benefit can be claimed depends on the terms of each policy and the circumstances of the claim. Moneysmart specifically notes that people with multiple super accounts may hold more than one insurance policy, although entitlement to multiple benefits depends on the policies.
A TPD Claim and Accessing Your Super
Are Not Exactly the Same Thing
Where TPD insurance is held through superannuation, there can be two separate considerations:
1. Whether the insurer accepts the TPD insurance claim, and
2. Whether the superannuation requirements for release of the benefit are satisfied.
This is why the wording of the policy, your employment history, medical evidence and the timing of your incapacity all matter.
Not Sure What TPD Cover You Have?
Many people are unsure what TPD insurance they currently hold or may have held through previous super funds.
Your cover history can matter, particularly if you have changed employers or super funds over the years.
YOUR SUPER FUND HISTORY
We review current and previous super funds to identify what TPD insurance may have been in place when your ability to work was affected.
YOUR TPD POLICY
We review the insured amount, applicable TPD definition, policy terms and other requirements that may affect a potential claim.
YOUR IMPORTANT DATES
We consider when cover started or ended, when you last worked and when your condition began affecting your work capacity, helping identify which policy and terms may be relevant.
Could More Than One TPD Policy Apply?
Possibly. Some people have held TPD insurance through more than one super fund or separate insurance policy. Whether more than one claim may be available depends on the terms, dates and circumstances of each policy, so each potential source of cover needs to be considered individually.
You don't need to know the answers before contacting us.
If you have super statements, insurance documents or simply the names of funds you have used, we can start by reviewing what information is available and what may need to be investigated.
