How does Finder ensure the impartiality of its income protection awards?

Our awards methodology is developed by our in-house insurance experts and insights team. It is based on objective data including pricing and specific policy features. Insurers cannot influence their scores or rankings. Finder maintains an independent editorial approach to ensure our award results are fair and transparent for consumers.

What criteria define a blue collar worker versus a white collar worker for your quotes?

For our awards methodology we use standard industry definitions. A white collar worker typically performs administrative, managerial or professional roles with lower physical risk. A blue collar worker usually engages in manual labour or trade-based occupations which are often associated with higher physical risk. These distinctions influence insurance premiums significantly.

Why are some features weighted more heavily than others in the awards methodology?

The weighting of features is determined by our insights team and insurance experts. It reflects the relative importance of each feature from a consumer perspective and its impact on the overall value and effectiveness of an income protection policy. For example, features like highest benefit period and maximum monthly benefit are typically more critical to a policy's core offering.

What is meant by 'direct income protection insurance' in your eligibility criteria?

Direct income protection insurance refers to policies that can be purchased directly from the insurer without the need for a financial advisor or broker. This ensures that the policies we assess are widely accessible and comparable for everyday Australians looking to buy insurance independently.

What happens if an insurer updates its policy features or prices during the year?

Our Finder income protection awards are conducted annually based on policy data available during the review period. If an insurer makes changes to its policy features or pricing after our awards are published these updates will be considered in the next annual review. We always recommend checking the most current product disclosure statement from the insurer for the latest information.