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Income protection pays a monthly wage if you need to take time off work due to a sudden accident or illness. Most insurers will pay up to 70% of your pre-tax income. They'll also set a maximum benefit, usually around $10,000 monthly.
The payouts from income protection can help you meet regular expenses, such as your mortgage or rent and groceries. It can also maintain your family's lifestyle while you focus on your recovery.
With income protection, you get an ongoing cash benefit after a successful claim. It lasts until one of the following occurs:
The benefit period is the maximum amount of time you can receive payments. In most cases, this is for 1, 2 or 5 years. Some insurers offer a benefit period until the age of 65. These policies will cost more.
You can only claim income protection after you've passed the waiting period stated in your policy. It starts from the day you file your claim and it can be 14, 28, 60 or 90 days.
Tip: The longer your waiting period, the cheaper your policy will be. However, choose with care as you'll need to have enough money to support yourself for the duration of your waiting period.
Weighing up the pros and cons of income protection is a helpful way of working out if it's right for you. Take a look below.
While it's counterintuitive, you'll want to consider insurance when you're in tip-top shape. This is absolutely a worthwhile investment of your time and helps provide a safety net... lock it in early to get better terms if you can. If you wait and get your cover at a later date, you might find the specific condition you've since had is excluded from your policy.
Pascale Heylar-Moray
Financial literacy advocate
No one is ever really prepared for life's harsh surprises, but the right income protection insurance can help soften the blow during a tough time for your family: financially, emotionally and physically while you're on a claim.
Phil Thompson
Financial Adviser at Skye Wealth
There's a lot more to finding the right cover than simply looking for the cheapest deal. Ultimately, you get what you pay for with income protection. In my view, policies held in super are rarely worth it in the long run. Going directly to an insurer or a broker is the pathway to a more comprehensive policy.
James Martin
Finder's life insurance editor
Our income protection insurance guides can help you compare and understand what cover option is right for you.
Some more helpful stuff
Income protection insurance: A beginner's guide
Learn the key points about how income protection works.
How does my job affect my income protection?
Tradies are well aware of the dangers of their work. Find out how insurers see things.
Is income protection insurance tax-deductible?
Here's why income protection is often (but not always) tax deductible.
Is income protection worth it?
A balanced look at how income protection can protect you.
We put together a list of deals and sign-up offers below to help you save:
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10% off for ahm health members ahm health members save 10% on their income protection premiums. Last verified |
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Save 10% on your first year When you apply by 10 December 2024. T&Cs apply. Last verified |
Deal ends |
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Save up to 10% Save up to 10% on premiums every year for the life of the policy on AAMI Income Protection. Offer ends 2 December 2024. T&Cs apply. Last verified |
Deal ends |
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Save 10% on your first year When you apply by 10 December 2024. T&Cs apply. Last verified |
Deal ends |
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Save up to 10% Save up to 10% on premiums every year for the life of the policy on Suncorp Income Protection. Offer ends 2 December 2024. T&Cs apply. Last verified |
Deal ends |
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Medibank health members save 10% If you’re a Medibank health member, you can enjoy a 10% policy discount annually. Last verified |
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Get your first month of cover for free Get your first month of cover free when you buy Zurich EziCover Income Protection Last verified |
Want to find out more about a specific insurer? We've reviewed over 20 of them. Here's a bunch of the most popular ones:
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Income protection can be super valuable for when times get tough. Learn the basics with our beginners guide.
Looking to protect your income in case of a serious accident or illness? Consider getting combined sickness and accident insurance.
Read the Finder review of Zurich income protection and receive a quote based on your details. Compare Zurich income protection to other income protection policies available.
Does income protection provide the same thing as mortgage protection? Read on and compare.
Find out how you can benefit from income protection even if you have a pre-existing condition, and which providers will cover you.
One of the benefits of income protection insurance is that you may have the ability to claim a tax deduction on your premium benefits. Find out if the same rules apply for policies inside super.
Life insurance and income protection serve two different purposes but can both offer valuable cover alone and when combined.
Learn the ins and outs of salary continuance insurance so you can decide if this type of cover suits your needs.
Find out what an income protection waiting period actually is and how the longer you wait can impact your premiums and benefit payments.
Looking for the best income protection insurance but not exactly sure where to start? Compare the Finder Awards 2023 insurance winners.
