If you’re wondering whether you need income protection insurance and how it differs from life insurance, we’ll take you through everything you need to know.
To decide if you need income protection insurance, start by looking at the below living expenses and calculate how much they would cost you on a month-to-month basis:
Not to mention other lifestyle expenses that help you maintain your existing quality of life, like movies, sports club memberships and dinners out. Now, consider the additional cash you’d have to pay to help fund recovery and healthcare costs if you were ill or injured. Perhaps you have health insurance to ease some of this burden, but keep in mind that it may only cover the cost of your treatment and rehabilitation. If you were out of work for weeks, months or even years while you recover, how would you replace your income?
If you’re now thinking to yourself that you might struggle to afford all that without a steady salary, it may be wise to consider income protection insurance.
An income protection policy will pay out up to 70% of your income if you’re unable to work because of illness or injury. Payments are usually monthly and limited to a set amount of time or until you reach a certain age. Income insurance can come with several benefits depending on your level of cover (e.g. death benefits or retraining). For more information check out our page on income protection insurance here.
Life insurance pays a lump sum of cash if you either pass away or are diagnosed with a terminal illness. Like a life insurance policy, income protection may pay a death benefit if the person who holds the policy dies; however, its main function is to insure your income, not your life.
Total and permanent disability (TPD) insurance pays a lump sum of cash if you become permanently disabled or can’t work because of illness or injury in either your own or any other field. The key difference is that TPD generally pays a one-off cash benefit if you become disabled, whereas income protection covers you for time off work with a continuous payment during this period of time (known as your benefit period).
Trauma or critical illness insurance pays a lump sum if you fall ill or are seriously injured and can’t work for a while. It’s quite similar to income protection, but the difference is that this insurance pays a one-off lump sum cash benefit for a critical illness (e.g. cancer, stroke), while income protection pays a monthly benefit for an injury or medical condition.
Workers’ compensation in Australia pays a cash benefit if you’re injured or become sick because of your work. It should cover both your wages and healthcare expenses. A workers’ compensation claim doesn’t mean you can’t also claim on your income protection, but it may mean you receive a reduced insurance benefit (i.e. you’ll probably receive a reduced monthly payment). Head to the Fair Work Ombudsman website to learn more about workers’ compensation.
While workers’ compensation is a fantastic initiative, unfortunately, it doesn’t cover everything. If you’re unable to work due to an injury sustained outside of work, you won’t be able to make a claim. In this situation, an income protection policy might help handle your finances instead so you can focus on recovery.
Some of the above products share similarities, which means it’s a good idea to shop around and see which product may best suit your needs. Consider speaking to a financial adviser to decide which insurance policy and level of cover may be best for you.
Steven Spicer believes income protection is incredibly valuable should you ever become ill or injured and unable to work. Steven encourages you to learn the benefits of this product, such as staying on top of debts and maintaining your current lifestyle should you no longer have the capacity to work.
If you’re in the market for an income protection policy to insure your finances, look no further than our comparison service. Through us, you can compare a range of policies according to their features, benefits, prices and more. And best of all, you don’t need to pay anything to do so!
The information provided here is general only and does not consider your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Before you decide to purchase a product, it is important to read the relevant PDS.
