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Matthew Lang

Matthew Lang

Updated 15/05/2023

What happens to your life insurance if you don't die?

Key Points

  • Term life insurance typically pays out to nominated beneficiaries after a policyholder's death or terminal diagnosis.

  • TPD, trauma, and income protection policies pay out to policyholders while they are still alive, to provide financial support following a serious illness or injury.

  • Combine different types of life insurance to make sure you're covered for a range of events, and that you've got the amount of cover you need.

Life insurance is designed to help compensate for the loss of income that comes with an unexpected death, illness, or injury.

The policyholder pays a regular premium and is covered up to a certain amount.

If a covered event takes place, a benefit is paid out to the named beneficiaries or the policyholder.

In this guide we'll discuss the different types of life cover that pay out while the policyholder is still living.

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Living life insurance

There are three main types of 'living life insurance' designed to help you maintain your finances if you suffer an unexpected injury or illness:

Where term life cover is usually paid out as a lump sum benefit to a named beneficiary, these three types of cover are typically paid out to the policyholder.

In effect, these are the types of life insurance that pay out while you are still alive.

Let's take a detailed look at each type of cover, and the differences between them.

TPD insurance

Total and Permanent Disability cover provides financial protection if you are totally and permanently disabled from a serious injury or illness, and unable to work again.

TPD is paid out as a lump sum to cover lost earnings associated with the inability to work.

It's not hard to imagine how difficult it would be to maintain your current lifestyle with the loss of a primary income.

The lump sum TPD benefit can pay for expenses like the mortgage, childcare, and utilities, but it can also cover things you may not have considered in relation to a disability.

Home modifications, medical bills, and equipment like wheelchairs and prosthetics can be expensive, and TPD can help with the costs.

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Trauma insurance

Like TPD insurance, trauma cover is also a type of life insurance that pays out if you don't die.

It is also called critical illness insurance, major illness insurance, and recovery insurance.

Trauma cover pays out a lump sum to the policyholder if he or she is diagnosed with a serious illness or suffers a serious injury.

Trauma claims are commonly made for the following conditions:

  • Cancer

  • Coronary Bypass Surgery

  • Heart Attack

  • Stroke

  • Serious injury due to accident

If you experience a traumatic health event, it's likely that you'll be unable to work for an extended period of time.

Trauma cover can help cover lost income, but it can also help with the financial strain that often comes with a traumatic illness.

Trauma cover can relieve the stress of having to cover medical bills, therapy, and any modifications you might have to make to your home and transportation.

There are a few things to consider when determining how much trauma cover you need.

There are a few key differences between TPD cover and trauma cover.

As of July 2014, trauma cover is no longer available through superannuation for new members, while 'any occupation' TPD cover can still be purchased through super.

In addition, TPD cover depends on your long-term ability to work, while trauma cover is related to the diagnosis of a covered illness or injury.

Income protection insurance

Income protection is another type of living life insurance that pays benefits to the policyholder.

Like TPD insurance, it is tied to your ability to work.

Unlike TPD insurance, it pays an ongoing benefit rather than a lump sum.

Also unlike TPD insurance, it pays out when you are temporarily unable to work, as opposed to permanently.

Income protection replaces up to 70% of your pre-tax income when you are temporarily unable to work due to an illness or injury.

It's extremely useful for self-employed workers who don't have access to sick leave, though anyone who depends on their income can benefit from income protection.

Income protection can complement any existing sick leave you have, providing a critical income stream when you're not able to work.

Most policies have a maximum benefit period, for example, 2 years, during which they will continue to pay benefits.

You can reduce your income protection premium by reducing your benefit period or choosing a longer waiting period.

The waiting period is the time you have to wait before making a claim, usually 30 days to three months.

Income protection insurance is frequently offered through superannuation funds, so it's possible you may already have some in place.

However, as with any type of insurance, it's key to be aware of how much cover you have and whether or not it matches your needs.

If you're looking for life insurance that pays back if you don't die, you have several options to choose from.

The nice thing about life cover is that you don't have to choose one policy; you can mix and match to customise a level of cover that fits your lifestyle.

For more information on how this works, don't hesitate to contact our friendly team.

They're here to answer your questions about life cover, and help you compare policies, for your confidence and peace of mind.

They'll also do their best to save you money along the way, whether it's by bundling cover for discounts or comparing deals to find you a better price.

Click below to take the first step towards protecting your family's finances.

Income Protection

Income Protection


Things You Should Know

We do not compare all life insurers or products available on the market.. Any advice on this website is general in nature and does not consider your individual needs, objectives, or your circumstances. You should consider the appropriateness of any advice and read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) before proceeding. For more information on the range of insurers, how Life Insurance Comparison works, and how we are compensated, please read our Financial Services Guide (FSG).

Matthew Lang is the general manager of life insurance at Compare Club. Matthew leads a team of dedicated professionals who are passionate about helping individuals and families make informed decisions about their life insurance needs. Whether it's finding the right coverage for your specific circumstances, comparing policies, or optimizing your existing policy, Matthew and his team are here to provide expert guidance and support.

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Meet our life insurance expert, Matthew Lang

Matthew's top life insurance tips

  • 1

    Identify what you want out of life insurance before you buy. Knowing the purpose of your life cover will help you choose a policy that meets your needs.

  • 2

    It's easy to assume that the sole purpose of life cover is to leave money behind for your family, but there's more to it than that.

  • 3

    Life insurers like those on our panel pay an average of 97% of claims in full.

  • 4

    There are different types of life insurance, including term life insurance, income protection, trauma cover and total and permanent disability cover.