TPD CLAIM FOR MENTAL ILLNESS
Our Australian TPD insurance solicitors provide advice on how to apply for Total and Permanent Disability compensation for mental illness. Contact our legal team on our free 24/7 advice line to find out how we can help you 1800 352 100.
Can I claim TPD insurance for mental illness?
TPD insurance (also known as Total and Permanent Disablement Insurance) is intended to cover situations where illness, injury or disability has affected your ability to work. Most superannuation funds offer default cover. You should check with your super fund. Some people also purchase stand-alone policies for TPD and Income Protection. These types of insurance policies are intended to provide you with an lump sum payout or income in situations where you cannot work due to a medical condition.
Some insurance policies do cover mental illness, however there are many policies which contain exclusions for mental illness, even if you have completely recovered from your condition. There are also policies where exclusion periods will apply for a limited period only. If a person has serious or ongoing symptoms, this may result in premium increase loadings. Insurers will assess each application on an individual basis. A person who is effectively managing their mental illness through treatment is likely to be less of an insurance risk than someone who is not receiving treatment for their mental illness. Consideration is also given to the impact of your occupation on the condition and whether the occupation itself is likely to affect your prognosis.
We suggest that if you are suffering from a mental illness that has affected your earning capacity, you should contact your superannuation fund (or insurance company) to see if you have coverage for mental illness such as depression, mood disorder, anxiety, schizophrenia etc. If you are unsure about your eligibility to make a claim on your TPD insurance or income protection policy, contact our legal team for free advice. Free Legal Helpline: 1800 352 100.
Insurance claims for mental illness
If you are covered for mental health conditions such as depression and you wish to make a claim on your policy, it is a good idea to seek legal representation from a No Win No Fee lawyer. Our superannuation and personal injury compensation lawyers have handled many cases against insurance companies and can provide you with expert advice and legal representation.
Insurance companies are notorious for making it difficult to claim on a policy for mental health conditions. In assessing your claim, the insurance company will want information from your treatment providers regarding your condition and the treatment you have or are receiving, and your prognosis. Our compensation lawyers can prepare your claim and gather all relevant medical evidence. Should there be any dispute regarding your eligibility to claim, our solicitors can advise you on whether legal action should be taken in a court or civil tribunal.
Types of mental Illness
Some common mental disorders as classified by the DSMV include:
- Depressive disorders such as major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia).
- Bipolar disorder (bipolar I, bipolar II, and cyclothymic disorders).
- Anxiety disorders (eg panic disorder).
- Schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorder.
- Trauma and stressor-related disorders (eg posttraumatic stress disorder, acute stress disorder, adjustment disorder).
The prognosis for anxiety disorders, depressive illnesses and psychosis can also be improved by early detection and treatment. Many people who receive appropriate treatment recover well or even completely.
Medical evidence
The insurance company will seek information from you regarding your medical history. They may also ask for authorisation to write to your treating doctors and psychologists, and may also send you to an independent medical examiner.
Some of the information that they will be seeking regarding your mental illness may include:
- Your psychiatric and medical history.
- When did your symptoms first begin?
- When did you cease work?
- Your diagnosis, usually expressed in terms of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
- Your symptoms and prognosis for recovery or return to work.
- Drug and alcohol history, current living situation and sources of stress.
- Any treatment you have received.
No Win No Fee Legal Advice
The definitions for total and permanent disablement vary between policies. Also, policies may define mental illness differently. If you would like to claim on an insurance policy, whether it be for TPD, income protection or sickness cover, you should seek assistance from an experienced compensation lawyer. They can advise you as to whether you are able to claim for mental illness. Contacting our service is confidential, completely free, and matters are handled on a No Win No Fee basis.
Our TPD Insurance Lawyers are experts at handling mental illness cases. For free legal advice on claiming disability insurance contact us today.
Free Legal Helpline: 1800 352 100.