A serious injury or illness can make it difficult or impossible for you to continue to work. If this happens, you will need to find a way to support yourself and your family.

Total and permanent disability cover is almost always purchased together with life cover and can provide a financial safety net if you get a serious injury or illness that stops you from working.

Total and permanent disability (TPD) insurance provides cover if you are totally and permanently disabled.

Your insurer will define TPD as either when you:

• You can't work again in any occupation, or

• You can't work in your usual occupation

TPD insurance helps cover the costs of rehabilitation, debt repayments and the future cost of living.

Each insurer has different definitions of what is and isn't considered to be totally and permanently disabled. Being off work for a year is NOT 'permanently disabled'.