Total Permanent Disability
A lump sum if you're permanently unable to work, helping fund care, home modifications, and a changed life.
What total permanent disability actually covers
Total Permanent Disability (TPD) cover pays a lump sum if you become permanently unable to work due to illness or injury, under the definition set out in your policy. It complements life and trauma cover by addressing a different risk: not death, and not necessarily a listed illness, but a lasting loss of capacity to earn.
Who it's for
- You want protection if an illness or injury permanently ends your ability to work
- Your role is physically demanding, where injury risk is higher
- You want funds available for home modifications, ongoing care, or retraining
- You hold life and trauma cover and want to close the remaining gap
What it covers
- A lump sum on meeting your policy's permanent disability definition
- 'Own occupation' or 'any occupation' definitions, explained clearly upfront
- Can be held standalone or as an add-on to life cover
- Funds can be used flexibly — for care, home changes, debt, or income replacement
Common scenarios
A builder suffers a spinal injury that permanently prevents physical work. His TPD payout funds retraining into a new, less physical career.
A client diagnosed with a progressive neurological condition uses a TPD payout to modify their home and reduce their mortgage.
Frequently asked
Trauma pays on diagnosis of a specified illness, regardless of work capacity; TPD pays when you permanently can't work, regardless of the underlying medical cause — the two cover different, sometimes overlapping, risks.
Policies vary between 'own occupation' (can't do your specific job) and stricter 'any occupation' definitions — we make sure you know which applies before you buy.
In many cases yes — it's often available as an add-on (rider) to life cover, which can be more cost-effective than a standalone policy.
Ready to talk about total permanent disability?
Book a free consultation and we'll walk through your options — no pressure, no jargon.
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