Question 1

Can I make changes after I have taken out an Income Protection policy?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can make changes such as increasing or decreasing your amount of cover or changing your occupation after you have taken out a policy with us.

If you apply to increase your benefit, you will need to provide further health and lifestyle information. Similarly, to update your payment and contact information, simply give us a call on 13 11 55.

Question 2

Can I receive other claims or insurance payments in addition to my Income Protection policy?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can receive your Income Protection benefit as long as the total amount of income you are receiving from all sources during a claim does not exceed 75% of your monthly income, prior to the claim.

We can pay your insured monthly benefit or 75% of your monthly income, whichever amount is less. You can never receive more than 75% of your monthly income from all sources. This means that, if you receive other sickness and injury benefits, you can still receive this benefit, as long as the total amount of income you are receiving from all sources during a claim does not exceed 75% of your monthly income prior to the claim.

Please refer to the PDS for more information.

Question 3

How long do I have to wait to get paid after making a claim on my Income Protection policy?

Accepted Answer

Your policy has a claim waiting period before any payments will begin. Payments are made one month in arrears, after the claim waiting period. You must be continuously disabled for this entire period.

For the Sickness and Injury cover, the claim waiting period starts when you first consult a medical practitioner for the sickness or injury and stop all work.

For more information about claims, please refer to the PDS.

Question 4

How much will I be paid each month from my Income Protection benefit?

Accepted Answer

The maximum monthly benefit you can apply for will be calculated based on 75% of your annual earnings and this is up to $10,000 per month for the Sickness and Injury cover.

For example, if you earn $2,000 per month before tax from your occupation, then you can insure yourself for up to $1,500 monthly benefit for sickness and injury.

To learn more, please refer to the PDS.

Question 5

What do I need to provide to make a claim on my Income Protection policy?

Accepted Answer

You will need to complete a claim form and provide other documents including your financial documents, medical notes if applicable and a certified proof of your identity and age (birth certificate, drivers licence or passport).

Refer to the PDS for a full list of requirements.

Please contact us on 13 11 55 as soon as possible after the event you want to claim for, and we can help you through the claims process.

Question 6

What happens if I make a claim for the same sickness or injury as a previous claim?

Accepted Answer

For the Sickness and Injury cover, you can claim the 6, 12, 24 or 60 months claim benefit period per claim and cannot claim again for the same sickness or injury unless you have made a full recovery between claims.

If you do not make a full recovery and have not been paid for the full benefit period, we may treat the claim as recurring and continue your benefit without applying the waiting period again. However, if you suffer from the same sickness or injury and your last monthly benefit was paid more than 6 months ago, it will be treated as a new claim and the waiting period will apply. There is a maximum claim benefit period of 2 years in total over the life of the policy for mental health related conditions.

Question 7

If I am disabled on claim, can I still work part time?

Accepted Answer

For payments to start, you need to be continuously disabled for the entire waiting period. If you are capable of working part-time or if you are working in any capacity, you would not be considered disabled.

If you’re on claim and have the capacity to work part-time, the Returning to Work Benefit can help provide financial support while you’re continuing to recover.

Please refer to the PDS to learn more.

Question 8

Why can't I cover 100% of my income?

Accepted Answer

Income Protection is available for up to 75% of your monthly income to provide an affordable level of financial protection in the event of sickness or injury, and to provide enough financial support for you to return to work.

This often allows you to pay for expenses and focus on returning to work. To ensure that this benefit is in proportion to your lost income, it is based on your annual income during the 12 months immediately prior to any sickness or injury. This insurance is not designed to place you in a better financial position than you were before you made a claim.

To learn more about Income Protection Insurance, please refer to the PDS to learn more.

Question 9

Can Suncorp cancel my insurance policy?

Accepted Answer

Your policy can be cancelled if you engage in non-disclosure or fraud or don’t pay your premiums.

Your Sickness and Injury cover can't be cancelled by the insurer except where there has been an attempt at fraud or where we are allowed by law if you have failed to fully disclose any relevant information when you applied for the insurance (non-disclosure). An insurer may also elect to cancel a policy for non-payment of premium.

Question 10

What is the Life Insurance Code of Practice?

Accepted Answer

The Life Insurance Code of Practice is a series of mandatory customer service standards that all life insurers need to comply with. These standards cover sales and marketing practices, underwriting and claims and are designed to protect you.

Suncorp Life Insurance policies are issued by TAL, who played a key role in creating the Life Insurance Code of Practice. Suncorp Life is committed to delivering the best possible customer service standards. Suncorp Life will continue to look for ways to raise the standards of customer service now and over the years to come. Read more.

Question 11

Does my Life Insurance and Income Protection Insurance cover me for COVID-19?

Accepted Answer

If you’re an existing Suncorp Insurance customer with Income Protection or Life Protect Insurance, please call 13 11 55 for information on how COVID-19 may affect your cover.

Question 12

Understanding the implications of the COVID-19 vaccination and your Suncorp Life cover

Accepted Answer

Receiving a COVID-19 vaccination approved for use by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in Australia will not affect the cover under your existing insurance policy. Suncorp Life, Income Protection and Funeral Insurance policies do not include exclusions or limitations related to COVID-19 including vaccine related side-effects. If you were to experience sickness or injury after receiving the COVID-19 vaccination, a claim can still be lodged for a benefit under your policy and your claim will be assessed and is subject to the terms and conditions of your policy.

Suncorp Income Protection policies provide a benefit if you suffer an illness or injury and you are unable to work, in line with policy terms and conditions. Therefore, if your employer mandates that you are required to be vaccinated for COVID-19 and you are restricted from working as a result of choosing not to be vaccinated, you will not be entitled to make a claim against your policy for being unable to work if you are not suffering an illness or injury that is preventing you from working in your usual occupation or performing your usual daily activities.

Frequently asked questions about Income Protection Insurance

COVID-19 Income Protection Insurance