How long does income protection last for?

The length of time that your income protection is paid for (upon successful claim) is known as your benefit period. During the benefit period, your insurer pays your agreed monthly earnings up to a percentage.

Typical benefit periods on policies in Australia

Insurers typically offer the following benefit period options:

• 2 years
• 5 years

Long-term benefits are usually accompanied by a higher premium (the cost you pay for the insurance), as opposed to a lower premium for short-term benefits where the payout period is shorter.

Compare benefit periods from these income protection brands

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Name	Product	Maximum Monthly Benefit	Maximum % of Income Covered	Maximum Benefit Period	Waiting Period Options
NobleOak Income Protection		$25,000	75%	2 years or to the age of 65	30 or 90 days	Get 2 months free when joining combined cover. Offer ends in April 30, 2020. T&Cs apply.	Get quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Medibank Standard Income Protection		$7,500	75%	5 years	30 or 90 days	10% discount for Medibank health members & go into the draw for $1,000 Gift Card when you get a life insurance quote.	Get quote View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
ANZ Income Protection		$10,000	75%	5 years	30 or 90 days	Earn 1 Qantas Point for every $1 of premiums paid.	View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Virgin Tailored Income Protection 2019 Winner		$10,000	85%	5 years	14, 28, 60, or 90 days	View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
AAMI Income Protection		$10,000	75%	5 years	14, 28, 60 or 90 days	View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
nib Income Protection		$10,000	85%	2 years	14 or 28 days	Get one month free when paying annually. T&Cs apply.	View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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How much cover can I receive and what's the benefit period?

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What should consider when selecting my benefit period?

It’s vital you consider all the factors relative to selecting the optimal benefit period for your future circumstances. Here’s a list of what you should weigh up before deciding on a benefit period for your income protection insurance:

• You daily expenses. Consider how much it will cost to finance your ongoing daily life without an income. You must evaluate your income vs your ongoing expenses and the cost of daily necessities including education for children and potential medical expenses that may arise.
• Any debts that you owe. You must think about whether you’ll be able to continue paying off debts such as your credit card, various loans or car repayments if you are unable to work and your income is cut off.
• How much you are will to pay in premiums You need to look at whether you can afford a longer benefit period with a higher premium, or a shorter benefit period at a lower cost.

Longer or shorter period? How to decide

For protection against serious illness and accidents

If you’re looking at your insurance as a way to safeguard you against major accidents and illnesses that could see you permanently disabled or unable to work, a policy with a longer benefit period and a higher premium will be more beneficial to you.

For more general protection

If you are concerned about injuries or illnesses that could see you off work for a short to medium period of time, but not indefinitely, a policy with a lower premium and shorter benefit period could be for you.

When does my benefit end?

Your income protection benefit will end under the following circumstances:

• You pass away. Your benefits will end if you pass away and your policy doesn’t include any beneficiaries.
• Your policy expires. If your policy expires it will be cancelled. It’s up to you to keep your insurance policy up to date by paying your premiums regularly and on time.
• You are able to return to work. If you are no longer disabled and can return to work then your benefit period will end.
• The benefit period is over. If you reach the limitations of your benefit period post claim, you will not receive any more benefits.

Is this the same as the waiting period?

No. The waiting period is the amount of time before your benefits kick in (as opposed to the length of the benefit). Longer waiting periods are generally less expensive than shorter waiting periods, as shorter waiting periods allow for you to receive monthly benefits sooner.

When does my benefit period start and how long will it go for?

Your benefit period begins as soon as your GP or medical practitioner determines that you are unable to work due to injury or sickness. From here, your claim for benefits under income protection insurance will be approved, given you have fulfilled your waiting period requirements. If you can’t work once the benefit period is over, you may be eligible for total or partial disablement benefit option.

Typical waiting periods

Insurers typically offer the following waiting period options under salary continuance:

Can I tailor my benefit period for specific injuries

Certain insurance policies will offer lump-sum payouts for specific injuries and illnesses. When you are comparing policies, review the product disclosure statement (PDS) for specific circumstances or injuries that offer additional payouts.

How does it work?

A specific injury benefit is designed to help those needing immediate assistance following an injury or illness that sees them unable to work. It differs to a normal monthly income protection benefit, as it’s paid whether you’re still working or not. You’re typically paid in advance as a lump sum benefit (that isn’t part of the standard income protection benefit).

How long can I receive a specific injury benefit for?

This is dependent on the nature of your injury.

Here is a list of injuries that are generally covered under your lump-sum specific injury benefit:

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