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We do not currently offer any redundancy insurance products through our comparison service. However, if you’re interested in redundancy insurance, you might also be interested in income protection. Learn more here.
Redundancy cover is a rare type of insurance that can pay out in the event of an involuntary redundancy. This type of cover may be offered as a standalone product but has traditionally been offered as an optional extra with income protection insurance.
Here are a few things to know about redundancy cover:
Redundancy insurance can help provide you with financial support after you’ve been made involuntarily redundant. Redundancy cover could provide you with a supplementary income for a period of time while you search for a new job. For example, your redundancy cover might pay you 75% of your lost income for three months. Redundancy cover typically has a waiting period outlined in your policy conditions, which is a period of time you’re required to be out of work before any benefits accrue.
Redundancy insurance isn’t a typical feature of income protection policies in Australia. If offered by an income protection insurance company, it could be offered as an optional extra that you can add to your income protection cover.
You might also find that some banks offer redundancy cover to customers with both a mortgage and income protection policy. With these products, the benefits paid out generally go straight towards home loan repayments.
Our life and income protection insurance expert, Steven Spicer, has some tips on how to find an income protection policy that works for you.
When deciding if redundancy cover is right for you, it’s essential to consider your current financial position. Some may find redundancy insurance worthwhile, especially those without savings or a safety net, whilst others may decide that it’s not worth the additional cost. Ask yourself: Would you be able to cope financially after losing your job involuntarily?
In some instances, your type of work (e.g. full-time, part-time, contract, etc.) or the industry you’re in may impact your eligibility for redundancy cover. If this is the case, remember there are other insurance options that could suit your needs.
Remember to check the maximum monthly benefit, as well as the maximum payout period before deciding to add redundancy cover to your existing income protection policy. It’s possible that the maximum possible payout won’t be more than you could save on your own.
Many people mistakenly believe that getting income protection insurance automatically covers them for involuntary redundancy (i.e. getting laid off from their job through no fault of their own). But unfortunately, it’s not that simple. Income protection is designed to provide you with a percentage of your income for a period if an injury or illness affects your ability to work, but not if you find yourself unexpectedly unemployed.
However, some insurers may choose to include cover for involuntary redundancy on their income protection policies as an optional extra. This addition will also influence the premium you pay.
To apply for and receive redundancy insurance, you may need to:
Redundancy insurance may also cover people working on a contract basis and pay out if their contract is cut short by no choice of their own. However, be sure to read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to determine if you’re eligible and what you’re covered for.
While redundancy cover could offer personal security during a difficult time, there are also several restrictions and exclusions you should be aware of when taking out a policy such as a monthly income limit.
Be on the lookout for these restrictions:
Furthermore, you may not be able to claim at all if:
There may be more reasons why you may not be covered by redundancy insurance. You’ll be able to find the exclusions that apply to your policy listed in the PDS.
Whether or not this product is suitable for you is a decision only you can make. However, there are a few things you might want to take into account if you’re considering redundancy cover, such as:
Are you nearing retirement?
If you’re close to the retirement age and experience a job loss, there may be alternative options available to you that you might want to consider instead, such as accessing your superannuation (depending on your age and circumstances). If you’re not quite at the retirement age yet, you may be able to contact your super fund to apply for an early release.
Do you have savings or investments?
Depending on your financial situation, you might be able to live on your savings or any passive income from investments while you search for a new job.
What is your profession?
The amount of time it will take you to find a new job will vary between professions, and so the financial impact will also vary. If you work in an industry with high demand for people with your skillset, you may not need redundancy cover.
If you don’t think you need redundancy cover, you might still want to consider an income protection policy, which will pay a percentage of your income if you can’t work due to illness or injury. Learn more about the types of income protection, or start comparing policies now.
Your premiums will be calculated using factors unique to you, such as your age and occupation; therefore, the cost of redundancy insurance will be different for everyone.
Furthermore, redundancy cover is usually an optional extra, so insurers may charge different amounts to add it to your income protection policy. This will, in turn, affect your income protection premium.
When making a redundancy insurance claim, you’ll generally need to provide your insurer with a copy of your redundancy letter. However, before you get to that stage, many insurers will require that you:
Some insurers may even require you to actively seek new employment (e.g. registering with a recruitment agency) before approving your claim.
Yes. A voluntary redundancy happens when your employer offers you financial compensation to agree to terminate your employment. A compulsory or involuntary redundancy doesn’t give you that choice, and your employment is terminated regardless of whether you agreed to it.
As the Executive General Manager of Health, Life and Energy and our expert in income protection insurance, Steven Spicer knows just how valuable it can be to have a policy that could support you and your family through a difficult time. Steven is passionate about making income protection more accessible to everyday Australians by helping them understand and compare their options.
Steven has 20 years of experience as a people-first business leader, with a focus on creating services that put customers first.