Guides
Insurance in super, explained
Plain answers to the questions people ask about the insurance in their super: what it costs, what it covers, when it stops, and whether it pays. Figures come from each fund's own documents and the latest APRA and ASIC claims data, checked 22 October 2026.
Start here
How to check what insurance you have in your superWhere to find your super insurance, what to write down, and the three things that catch people out, including cover sitting in old accounts.2 min readHow much does insurance in super cost?Real yearly premiums for automatic cover at 25 super funds, by age. Why the cheapest fund is rarely the cheapest cover.3 min readHow much life insurance do I need? Beyond the multiple-of-salary ruleThe 10x salary rule is a guess. A worked example shows what changes the answer: the mortgage, your partner's income, your super. Includes a calculator.3 min read
What the cover means
What is TPD insurance in super, and when does it pay?TPD in super pays a lump sum if you're unlikely to work again. How the any-occupation test works, how long you wait, how much tax comes off, and how often claims are accepted.3 min readIncome protection through super: how it works and what it coversWhat income protection in super pays, the waiting and benefit periods, why default amounts are small, and how it compares with cover outside super.3 min readHow super insurance payouts are taxedA death benefit to a spouse is tax-free, to an adult child it isn't. TPD is taxed on a sliding scale based on your eligible service date. Worked figures, and why the date matters.3 min readDo super fund insurers pay claims? What the 2026 figures showDeath claims are accepted about 98% of the time, TPD about 88%. What the APRA and ASIC figures say by insurer, how to read them, and what to do if a claim is declined.2 min read
Fine print and health
What is limited cover in super insurance, and when does it end?Limited (new events) cover doesn't pay for conditions you already had. Here's what ends it at each of 24 funds, and why contributions alone usually don't.3 min readCan I get insurance in super with a pre-existing condition?Default cover in super doesn't ask health questions, but limited cover can exclude what you already have. Your options if you have a health condition, and how to avoid a formal decline.2 min readWhy did my super insurance stop, and can I get it back?Super insurance can end after 16 months without contributions, if your balance drops, at certain ages, or when you opt out. How to tell which one happened and your options.2 min readWhy your default super insurance shrinks as you get olderDefault cover is built around age, so it peaks in your 30s and falls from 40. Figures from AustralianSuper, Hostplus and Rest, and why that clashes with when most people's costs peak.2 min read
Decisions
Should I cancel the insurance in my super?When cancelling super insurance makes sense, when it doesn't, and what you can't easily undo. A checklist to run before you tick the opt-out box.3 min readCan I get insurance in super if I'm self-employed or have no employer?If you join a fund on your own, some give you automatic cover and others don't. Which is which across 28 funds, and what to do if you're self-employed.3 min read