Income protection cover is intended to replace part of a person's income when illness or injury prevents them from working. Disputes commonly arise not at the point of purchase but at the point of claim, when an insurer declines the claim, applies an exclusion, or ceases payments part way through a benefit period.

Insurers frequently rely on allegations of non disclosure, pre existing condition exclusions, or a view that the claimant retains a capacity for work. Each of these can be examined. We review the policy, the application history, the medical material relied on, and the reasoning given, and advise on whether the decision is soundly based.

We also advise on the practical mechanics of these policies, including waiting and benefit periods, the treatment of partial capacity, and offsets that reduce the benefit by reference to other payments already received. These provisions often determine the real value of a claim and are frequently misunderstood.

Where a decision is maintained, complaints can be made to the external dispute resolution scheme without cost, and proceedings remain available. We advise on the most efficient path in the circumstances rather than the most adversarial one.

Our services include:

• Income protection claim preparation and lodgement

• Declined, reduced and terminated benefit disputes

• Non disclosure and misrepresentation allegations

• Pre existing condition and exclusion clause disputes

• Advice on waiting periods, partial capacity and offsets

• Life and trauma policy claims

• External dispute resolution and proceedings