How to Check if You Have Insurance Through Super in Australia

A surprising number of Australians don't realise their super may come with insurance attached. Moneysmart explains that most funds provide life cover and total and permanent disability cover, with income protection in some cases, and that you can usually check what you hold by logging in to your account, reading your annual statement, or contacting the fund directly.

When illness or injury has stopped you working, checking your super is a sensible early step. People often fix entirely on their immediate health or income worries and never pause to consider the insurance that may already sit inside their fund. Moneysmart specifically notes that TPD cover may be available through super and can pay a lump sum if you become totally and permanently disabled through illness or injury.

What insurance can sit inside super?

According to Moneysmart, funds typically offer:

• life cover
• TPD cover
• income protection, in some cases

So your super may be far more than a retirement balance. Depending on the fund and policy, it can also carry protection designed to help if you die, become permanently unable to work, or are temporarily off work through illness or injury.

How to check whether you have it

The simplest routes are to:

• log in to your super account online
• read your annual statement
• find your insurance summary or policy details
• call your fund and ask what cover is attached

As you check, note the type of cover, the amount, whether it's currently active, and any exclusions, waiting periods or conditions that apply.

The over-25, $6,000-plus prompt

This is one of the most important things to grasp. Moneysmart indicates that if you were over 25, held more than $6,000 in super, and were receiving employer contributions, it's worth checking whether insurance was attached to your account.

It's not a guarantee — every fund and policy differs — but it's a strong enough sign that many people should check rather than assume. Moneysmart's point that most funds provide life and TPD cover is exactly why the question matters.

Lost or forgotten accounts can matter too

A simple reason people miss cover: they've had more than one super account over the years. The ATO explains you can use its online services to track your super and find accounts you've lost touch with, and to view active super, lost super and ATO-held super in one place.

So your current fund may not be the only one worth examining. An older account from a previous employer might still be relevant when you're working out whether insurance existed or a claim pathway needs exploring.

Important: super insurance can end

Checking early matters, because cover doesn't run forever. Moneysmart notes insurance on inactive accounts can be cancelled once the account has gone 16 months without contributions.

So even past cover may have changed if:

• you changed jobs
• contributions stopped
• you rolled your super into another fund
• an account became inactive

If illness or injury has stopped you working

Where your health has affected your capacity to work, it's worth reviewing whether your super includes:

• TPD cover
• life insurance-related benefits
• income protection, in some funds

Moneysmart explains TPD insurance can pay a lump sum if you become totally and permanently disabled through illness or injury, and that different policies use different definitions — so the wording counts.

How CantWork works

1. Fill in the form

Start with a quick Free Claim Check.

2. We call to confirm the details

We talk through your work history, health situation and the support you may need.

3. We help locate your super

We help review your current fund and any lost or forgotten accounts.

4. We review your options and next steps

We help you understand whether a life insurance claim, a TPD pathway, or an early-super option might be worth exploring.

What about early access to super?

Early access is a separate matter from insurance through super, but it can still be relevant for some people. The ATO lists it as available only in very limited circumstances — compassionate grounds, severe financial hardship, terminal medical condition, temporary incapacity and permanent incapacity.

That's why the safest course is to review your position properly rather than assume you qualify.

Start with a Free Claim Check

Whether illness or injury has stopped you working, or you simply don't know what sits inside your super, now is a good time to check.