Total Permanent Disability Insurance [2025]

Q: What qualifies as total and permanent disability?

To determine if your disability is classified as permanent and total , you'll need to refer to the specifics outlined in your insurance policy. Each policy has its own terms and exclusions , so it's a good idea to contact your insurer or review your coverage for clarity. Firstly, to qualify, your condition must be diagnosed as long term and irreversible, making it impossible to return to work or perform certain tasks. Insurers typically may look for clear medical evidence demonstrating how your disability is irreversible and unlikely to improve, as well as if your policy is under ‘ own occupation ’ or ‘ any occupation ’.

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Total permanent disability insurance

What is total permanent disability insurance?

Total permanent disability insurance (TPD) is a form of cover that provides a lump sum payment if you become permanently disabled and can’t work anymore.

This is to provide financial security in the event you’re unable to earn an income due to a permanent, serious disability.

It's one of around 35 or more medical conditions that are typically covered by a critical illness cover policy. Most critical illness cover policies will either include total permanent disabilities as standard or give you the option to add total permanent disability insurance for an extra cost.

Reassured can help you compare quotes from insurers who offer critical illness cover with total permanent disability insurance and life cover included.

Please note Reassured don’t offer standalone total permanent disability insurance policies.

Get in touch with one of our experts to learn more on what options are available when it comes to total permanent disability cover.

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Total permanent disability insurance definition

Total permanent disability, often referred to as TPD, means that you can no longer perform your own job or perform work-related tasks due to a permanent loss of physical or mental capabilities.

Total permanent disability insurance provides a cash payout to help you cover expenses when you can no longer earn an income.

There are three types of total permanent disability insurance which are often defined in the following ways:

Any occupation - This covers you if you’re unable to work in any job that fits your education/ skills due to your disability, therefore making you unable to do any kind of work
Own occupation - If you’re unable to work in the specific job you had at the time of becoming disabled, even if you can do another type of work
Work-related tasks - This covers you if you’re permanently unable to perform at least three work-related tasks listed in your policy, such as walking, climbing or lifting

The type of TPD cover you’re offered by an insurer may be influenced by your current occupation. For example, if you’re in a job that requires manual labour it may be harder to get own occupation definition of TPD insurance.

Why do I need total permanent disability insurance?

Having a total permanent disability insurance policy in place can help to protect your finances if you were ever unable to return to work to due becoming disabled, especially if your job relies on you physically and mentally.

The pay out received from total permanent disability insurance can be used towards anything you wish or need.

Typically, the lump sum may be beneficial to help cover expenses such as:

Making adaptations to your home
Medical treatment & costs
Covering loss of an income to help with monthly outgoings (e.g. mortgage / rent payments)
General family lifestyle expenses

Without an income being replaced, covering day to day expenses can become overwhelming, especially if you’re unable to work again.

Having a lump sum payout to help with these costs can help keep you and your family afloat in an unexpected time of need.

Reassured is here to assist you in discovering ways to protect your financial future. Just reach out, and you can receive quotes for a range of different policy types.

How to get permanent and total disability insurance

Total permanent disability insurance can be a stand alone policy or in some cases can be included in a critical illness cover policy.

Critical illness cover

A type of policy that covers around 35 types of critical medical conditions (e.g. cancer, heart attacks stroke, MS) in some cases including TPD
Pays out a tax-free lump sum if you’re diagnosed with one of the specified conditions during the policy term
Can be added to your life insurance policy for an additional cost

Some insurance providers include total permanent disability (TPD) in their list of covered critical illnesses, but not all do. It's essential to carefully review the policy terms before making a decision, as you may have the option to add TPD coverage for an extra fee to ensure you're fully protected.

Reassured can help you explore your options and compare critical illness quotes to help you begin your financial protection journey.

Please note, Reassured do not offer standalone total permanent disability insurance

What qualifies as total and permanent disability?

To determine if your disability is classified as permanent and total, you'll need to refer to the specifics outlined in your insurance policy.

Each policy has its own terms and exclusions, so it's a good idea to contact your insurer or review your coverage for clarity.

Firstly, to qualify, your condition must be diagnosed as long term and irreversible, making it impossible to return to work or perform certain tasks.

Insurers typically may look for clear medical evidence demonstrating how your disability is irreversible and unlikely to improve, as well as if your policy is under ‘own occupation’ or ‘any occupation’.

Examples of total permanent disability

Different insurers have different criteria for what they consider as a total permanent disability, however listed are some examples of conditions that could lead to a total permanent disability insurance claim:

Traumatic brain injury
Heart attack
Amputation
Blindness
Deafness
Loss of limb
Third degree burns
Paralysis

Income protection with total permanent disability

Income protection insurance could also cover total permanent disability.

Income protection is a form of cover that can pay out up to 70% of your monthly income if you were ever unable to work due to an illness, injury. You can secure short and long-term policies depending on your needs and budget.

Long-term income protection could help cover finances if you were ever to become unable to work due to TPD, although this may depend on the terms of your policy.

Insurers such as Aviva and Aegon offer add ons or combined policies to help you secure both types of coverage.

Some insurers may offer income protection with the option to include TPD cover as an additional benefit. This means you could receive a lump sum alongside income protection payments if you were unable to return to work due to a disability.

It’s important to review your policy details to ensure the coverage fits your needs. Income protection can start from just 20p-a-day through Reassured^‡.

Reassured offer a whole of market comparison service for income protection, ensuring you can explore all options to find our best deal.

How to make a claim for total and permanent disability

To make a claim on your total permanent disability insurance, you’ll need to notify your insurer that you believe you qualify for a claim, from here you should be guided through the process.

You’ll be asked to supply evidence of your disability and of the likelihood that you’ll be unable to carry on working. This can be medical reports from a doctor or specialist. Your insurer will likely ask you to complete a medical exam.

Please note, insurers can't access any medical information without your permission. However, without your permission the insurer may not be able to proceed with your claim as they won’t have access to the necessary information.

You may then be asked for any additional supporting information, that can provide the insurer with as much evidence as possible proving you have the inability to complete your current job (or any other occupation, depending on your policy).

From here, the insurer will assess your claim and contact you.

Secure total permanent disability and critical illness cover through Reassured

Making sure you’re financially covered if you were to ever have an accident or fall unwell is essential, especially if you’re working in a job that is demanding on your physical health.

Reassured can help you compare quotes for critical illness cover combined with life insurance, with the option to add total permanent disability insurance for an additional cost, so you can find suitable deals.

We can also explain any jargon you may not understand and answer any questions you may have.

You can add critical illness to a life insurance plan, for an additional cost, which will pay out when you are diagnosed with a specific illness defined by your policy terms. This could help you if that illness impacts your ability to work.

Why not get in touch with Reassured today to financially safeguard your future, prepared for any situation that may arise?

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