One of the most common questions we get is, ‘how long does a TPD claim take?’ As specialist lawyers, we have seen claims for Total and Permanent Disability insurance take anywhere from a few months to more than a year to resolve.
The best way to find out how long your TPD claim might take is to meet with one of our lawyers as soon as possible. We will thoroughly review your claim and provide you with an honest estimate of when you may be able to expect a TPD payout.
Call TPD Compensation Lawyers at 03 9966 7188 today. Your initial consultation is FREE, and you pay us no fees until we achieve a favourable result.
What Is the TPD Waiting Period?
The first consideration when trying to determine how long a TPD claim takes is the waiting period. Super insurers will not consider claims until the applicant has been unable to work for a period of time specified in the policy.
As a general rule, the waiting period ranges anywhere from 3 months to 6 months. Once the waiting period has passed, you are allowed to lodge a claim.
What Factors Affect How Long a TPD Claim Takes?
Before we can answer the question ‘how long does a TPD claim take?’, we have to take multiple factors into account. During your FREE consultation, our lawyers will perform an in-depth review of the TPD insurance policy, your medical records, and any additional information. These insights generally allow us to provide an educated guess on the potential duration of your claim.
Issues that may impact how long your claim takes to resolve include:
- What type of TPD claim you have.
- Claims involving catastrophic injuries and debilitating physical illnesses may be approved more readily than one for a mental health condition.
- The quantity and clarity of medical evidence documenting the injury or illness.
- Your capacity for work.
- To receive a TPD benefit, you need to meet the criteria for Total and Permanent Disability. Eligibility may be contingent on your ability to perform your current job (‘own occupation’ cover) or any job for which you are qualified (‘any occupation’ cover).
- Whether the insurer requires more information before making a decision.
- The responsiveness of the employer and/or the super insurer.
Once you have lodged your claim, you can expect the superfund insurer to take its time making a decision. It is not uncommon to receive multiple requests for additional medical evidence, employment and wage records, documentation of your work history, etc. A lawyer well-versed in TPD claims can help expedite the process by compiling the requested paperwork, submitting it to the insurer, and more.
How Long Does It Take to Get Your TPD Payout?
As a rule, we find that super insurers take about 6 months to perform the initial assessment of a TPD claim. The trustee(s) of the super fund will review the subsequent decision, which can take up to 2 months.
If the claim is accepted, you may receive a TPD payout in approximately 12 months. This encompasses the waiting period plus the time it takes to review and approve the claim.
Complex claims take longer to get sorted. If a dispute arises, it may take a year or more to resolve. Having an experienced lawyer manage your TPD matter improves the likelihood of your claim being approved and generally results in a more timely resolution.
Is There Anything I Can Do to Expedite My Claim?
Much of the TPD claims process is out of the applicant’s hands. Given the importance of the benefit to someone with a Total and Permanent Disability, the wait can seem unbearable. Fortunately, there are steps you can take that may result in a more timely (and favourable) decision:
1. Read the Insurance Policy
Make sure you understand the terms of the TPD policy, including eligibility and what’s required to lodge a claim. This reduces the risk of making a mistake.
2. Prepare Your Claim Thoroughly
Assemble all necessary information and documents before submitting the application. This may include:
- Claim forms
- Medical practitioner and specialist reports
- Work history documents
- Skill and vocational assessments
- Payslips
- Tax documents
- Letters from your employer
- Consent to access medical records
3. Submit All Information at Once
Lodging a complete application limits the likelihood of the insurer needing more information to reach a decision. The fewer delays, the sooner your claim may be approved.
4. Attend All Medical Appointments
Insufficient medical evidence is one of the most common reasons TPD claims are delayed or rejected. Keeping all medical appointments is crucial for documenting the disability to the satisfaction of the super insurer.
Although you may have met with a number of doctors prior to lodging the TPD claim, you should promptly seek additional assessments if the insurer requests more information. Read any requests carefully and ensure that the practitioner is qualified to provide the needed information.
5. Seek Legal Counsel
Qualified legal counsel is often essential for maximising the potential for success in TPD matters. Whether you are getting ready to lodge a claim, waiting on a decision, or your claim was rejected, an experienced lawyer can protect your rights and help expedite the process whenever possible.
How Long Does a TPD Claim Take? Get Answers Today
The duration of a Total and Permanent Disability claim can vary widely depending on factors such as the complexity of the situation, the insurance provider involved, the completeness of the claim application, and the availability of supporting documentation. Patience is key, but our team will make every effort to ensure that your claim is reviewed promptly and a successful outcome is achieved.