Personal Insurance Broker BrisbaneLife, Income Protection, TPD & Trauma

Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) insurance pays a lump sum if you become permanently unable to work due to illness or injury. Trauma insurance (also called critical illness cover) pays a lump sum if you’re diagnosed with a specific serious condition — such as cancer, heart attack, or stroke — regardless of whether you can return to work. TPD is about your ability to work; trauma is about the diagnosis itself. Many Australians hold both because they cover different scenarios.

For most Australians, the default life insurance inside superannuation is not enough on its own. Cover amounts are often low, definitions can be restrictive, and TPD cover inside super typically uses an “any occupation” definition which is harder to claim on. Payouts also go to your super fund first, which can cause delays. Holding additional cover outside super — or reviewing and upgrading your super policy — is worth considering, especially if you have a mortgage or dependants.

Yes. Self-employed individuals, sole traders, and contractors can all apply for income protection insurance in Australia. Because you don’t have access to employer-funded sick leave or workers compensation, income protection is arguably more important for the self-employed than for salaried employees. Insurers will typically ask for tax returns or bank statements to verify your income. All new policies are currently offered as indemnity value policies, meaning your benefit is based on your income at the time of claim.

Sick leave alone is rarely enough. Most employees receive a limited number of sick leave days per year — typically 10 days — which offers no protection for a serious illness or long-term injury that keeps you off work for weeks or months. Income protection kicks in after your chosen waiting period (commonly 30, 60, or 90 days) and can pay up to 70% of your income for years, or until retirement age. If you have a mortgage, dependants, or limited savings, sick leave alone leaves a significant gap.

Yes, in most cases. Having a pre-existing condition doesn’t automatically disqualify you from life insurance in Australia. Insurers may accept your application with a loading (higher premium), exclude the specific condition from your cover, or in some cases decline. Common conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or a history of cancer are assessed individually. Working with an insurance broker is particularly valuable here — they know which insurers are more favourable for specific conditions and can position your application accordingly.

It can, but it doesn’t automatically mean you’ll be declined. Insurers assess mental health history individually, taking into account the nature of the condition, how long ago it was, whether you received treatment, and your current status. Common outcomes include standard acceptance, a premium loading, or an exclusion for mental health-related claims. Being upfront on your application is essential — non-disclosure can void a claim later. A broker can help you understand your options and identify insurers with more favourable underwriting for mental health.

No. Using a personal insurance adviser does not cost you more than going direct to an insurer. In most cases the premium is the same or lower, because advisers have access to a broader panel of insurers and can negotiate on your behalf. The adviser is paid by the insurer through commission, not by you directly. You get expert advice, policy comparison, and claims support at no extra out-of-pocket cost.

Personal insurance advisers in Australia are typically paid through commission by the insurer when a policy is placed. This means you don’t pay a fee directly for their advice or service. The commission is built into the premium structure and doesn’t increase what you pay. Some advisers may charge a fee for complex advice or ongoing service, but this will always be disclosed upfront in a Financial Services Guide (FSG).

Your insurance should be reviewed whenever your circumstances change — a new mortgage, marriage, divorce, a new child, a change in income, or a new business. Most policies allow you to adjust your cover, and some include guaranteed insurability options that let you increase cover at key life events without new medical underwriting. Letting your policy sit untouched for years is one of the most common mistakes Australians make. A regular annual review with your adviser ensures your cover keeps pace with your life.