Five things you didn’t know your super insurance could cover

If you’ve ever had superannuation, chances are you’ve also been paying for default insurance without even realising.

Superannuation insurance cover is designed to protect you if illness or injury prevents you from working. In many cases, it can provide a lump sum payout to help ease the financial pressure and give you the time and space to recover and move forward.

Your super insurance may include:

• Income protection
• Total and permanent disability (TPD) 
• Terminal illness/death cover

Here are five things you might not know your super insurance could also cover:

1. Mental health conditions such as depression, PTSD and anxiety

Mental health conditions are one of the most common reasons Australians are forced to stop working. If you’ve been diagnosed with a psychological condition that has made it too difficult to continue working, you may be eligible to make a mental health claim and access financial support.

Maurice Blackburn has successfully run thousands of mental health claims for our clients. We can help guide you through your legal options and help you understand what benefits and entitlements you’re eligible for.

2. Auto-immune or invisible illnesses

You don’t specifically need a physical injury to make a super insurance claim. Conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis, Lupus, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), and Fibromyalgia can be debilitating and often misunderstood, even by insurers.

We recently helped a client with Multiple Sclerosis who was initially denied TPD insurance compensation because the insurer said she had related symptoms before taking out the policy. We successfully challenged her insurer, and the client received over $300,000 in a lump sum payment, as well as ongoing income protection benefits.

If your symptoms stop you from working, you may have a valid super insurance claim even if your condition isn’t commonly known. Use our free claim check tool to get started.

3. Cancer diagnosis and recovery complications

Many people who stop working due to cancer treatment or its long-term side effects may be eligible for income protection or super insurance. If you're going through this, know that you don’t need to be completely debilitated to make a claim - the key is whether you're able to return to your usual job. Our team of experienced super insurance lawyers can help access your situation and guide you on the types of support available.

It’s about recognising what you’ve been through and helping you find support during a tough time.

We’ve helped many cancer survivors access payouts that provide financial relief and recovery time when they need it most. Our experienced super insurance lawyers can review your case and provide you with legal options to get the best possible outcome.

4. Workplace stress and burnout-related injuries

Stress can lead to serious physical and psychological health problems, including heart conditions.

We recently assisted a client, Ron, who suffered a heart attack brought on by extreme workplace stress, leaving him unable to return to work. As his health deteriorated and financial pressure mounted, he turned to his Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) insurance through super for support.

But when his TPD claim was rejected, Ron was left feeling devastated and unsure of where to turn. That’s when he came to Maurice Blackburn.

Our experienced super insurance team took the time to understand Ron’s situation and reviewed his case in detail. Our team gathered the necessary medical and employment evidence, identified flaws in the insurer’s assessment, and challenged their decision.

The result? We successfully secured a $850,000 payout for Ron, providing him with the financial stability to focus on his recovery and ensure his family’s future.

5. Don’t qualify for workers’ compensation? You might still be eligible for a TPD claim

In many cases, you can claim TPD through your super alongside workers’ compensation or Income Protection. Even if your injury or illness wasn’t caused by work (or happened years ago), you may still be eligible for a lump sum TPD payout.

Dealing with insurers on your own can be overwhelming, especially when you’re already unwell and just trying to stay afloat. In fact, unrepresented claimants are nearly four times more likely to abandon their claim due to ‘claim fatigue’, according to a study by the corporate regulator ASIC.

For over 100 years, Maurice Blackburn has helped Australians stand up to insurers and get the compensation they’re entitled to, even after a claim has been rejected.

Our dedicated superannuation and insurance lawyers know how to navigate the system and fight for the maximum outcome you deserve. We offer a free initial consultation and operate on a No Win, No Fee basis, meaning that there are no upfront costs.

Take our free super claim check today to see if you’re eligible.