What is Income Protection Insurance

Income protection insurance is essential for anyone, regardless of their income level. It provides a safety net that covers up to 70% of your income for a specified period, ensuring you can meet your day-to-day expenses and support your household during your recovery.

This is especially crucial for couples and parents, as it alleviates the stress of being unable to meet financial obligations when faced with illness or injury. Even self-employed individuals with irregular income should prioritise income protection insurance to prepare for unforeseen circumstances.

Income protection is vital for individuals of all income levels, offering financial security during unforeseen events. This is particularly important for those who are self-employed and have inconsistent monthly earnings. With income protection policy, you can receive up to 75% of your income for a specified period, ensuring that you can cover your daily expenses and support your family while you recover.

This type of coverage is especially beneficial for couples and parents, as it relieves the burden of financial obligations during times of illness or injury. It is equally important for self-employed individuals with irregular income to prioritise their income protection cover in order to be prepared for unexpected circumstances.

INCOME PROTECTION INSURANCE ADVISOR

Talk to our Insurance Adviser to best protect your future and family!

Who can apply

You are eligible to apply or compare Income Protection insurance cover if you are:

  • Age: Typically between 18 and 59 years old (some occupations may have lower age limits).
  • Residency: Australian residents or citizens or a New Zealand citizen residing permanently in Australia.
  • Employment: Usually employed or self-employed with a regular income.
  • Occupation: Not all occupations are eligible. Certain high-risk professions (e.g., professional athletes, construction workers) may have different terms or exclusions.
  • Health: Insurers will assess your health and medical history. Pre-existing conditions may affect your eligibility or premium rates.

What’s included in Income Protection Insurance

Unexpected events like illness or injury can derail anyone’s finances. That’s where income protection policy comes in – it’s your safety net, replacing a portion of your income if you’re unable to work due to a covered condition. However, policy contracts have changed since 30 September 2021. Understanding these updates is essential to choosing the right cover for your peace of mind.

Key Changes Since 30 September 2021:

  • Benefit Periods: Maximum benefit periods have been reduced for some occupations. Most policies now offer a maximum benefit period of 2 years or until age 65, instead of benefits to age 70.
  • Contract Definitions: Definitions for terms like “disability” and “income” have been standardised, providing more clarity and consistency across different insurers.
  • Income Replacement Ratios: Maximum replacement ratios have been lowered to 70% of your pre-tax income, plus superannuation contributions (up to 10% of your income). This encourages a gradual return to work and discourages over-insurance.

The Core of Income Protection:

  • Monthly Benefit: The heart of the policy, this is the regular payment you receive if you’re unable to work due to illness or injury. The amount is usually a percentage of your pre-disability income (often up to 70%).
  • Waiting Period: This is the time you wait after becoming disabled before benefits start. Shorter waiting periods usually mean higher premiums.
  • Benefit Period: How long payments continue. Options might range from two years to age 65.

How to Structure Your Income Protection Insurance

Understanding the Benefits of Income Protection Insurance

The structure of  the policy will determine the cost or premium and requires experts helps. Depending on the policy structure, you will be able to get your claim  just in the appropriate time.

Calculation of your total income is the crucial part of income protection. If you are a self-employed or running your own business structured as partnership, trust or company, it is important to calculate accurately your total income accurate,  income calculation is even more critical, as it can vary year-to-year. Income protection covers and provide benefits of 70% of total income. Total income may include your salary, income from partnership, trust, and company.

Our financial advisor can help you to identify the cover amount, choosing the appropriate waiting period and benefit periods and suitable income protection policy based on your financial circumstances, objectives and goals.

Who receives the Income Protection Insurance Benefits

The aim of income protection cover insurance is to protect you financially if you are unable to work temporarily due to accident or illness. The 70% of the total monthly income benefits for a nominated period of time can at least look after your on-going expenses, credit card payments or mortgage repayments. With an income protection policy, it provides financial security during challenging times, allowing you to focus on recovery without the added stress of lost income.

How much will income Protection Insurance cost

The cost of income protection cover, or premiums, depends on various factors, such as your age, gender, occupation, total monthly cover amount, and health condition. Your policy premium will also depend on how you want to structure it, for example, as stepped or level premiums.

Our insurance advisor can assist you in selecting the appropriate income protection and benefits cover amount, and help you choose the options that best suit your objectives.

Find out your suitable Income Protection insurance policy option and comparison.

Our Insurance Advisor Can Help You on Income Protection Insurance

Income protection cover can be tricky. There’s a chance you won’t get the full payout you expect if your policy isn’t set up right for your situation. That’s why our experienced financial advisors are here to help. We’ll figure out the best way to structure your insurance, so it’s there for you when you need it most. We help you in…

Don’t leave your financial well-being to chance. Contact us today to explore your income protection options and protect your future.

  • Choosing a suitable product and an adequate amount of cover for income protection
  • Understanding the pre-defined critical conditions of the insurer and which option to select to best protect your needs and objectives
  • We have the expertise and experience to access the top Australian insurers
  • We compare and help you to find the suitable income protection insurance cover
  • We look after the process and the paperwork so that you can save your time and energy
  • We negotiate with the insurer to save your best interest
  • We follow up with the insurer until your income protection insurance policy is in effect
  • We help you to review your insurance policy if your circumstances have changed