TAL enhances insurance payment flexibility with new option

Yasmine Raso

Senior Journalist, Financial Newswire

15 December 2025

In a show of its commitment to “evolving product design in line with changing customer needs”, Australian life insurer TAL has taken on financial adviser and member feedback to deliver updates to its flagship Accelerated Protection offering and Income Protection coverage.

Resulting from a combination of research and consultation with customers, advisers, GPs and specialist clinicians, the TPD Support Option allows eligible customers to have 20 per cent of their sum insured paid each year – instead of a full lump sum – for claims involving certain mental health, chronic fatigue and functional conditions.

The option seeks to acknowledge the diverse nature of recovery times and outcomes for customers with these conditions in particular and offers more flexible financial support over the full duration of recovery, as well as the surety that they will receive their full sum insured over time if they are unable to return to work.

“Our focus is on ensuring TAL’s products reflect how Australians live and work today and deliver genuine value,” Gavin Teichner, TAL’s Chief Executive – Individual Life, said.

“We’ve taken an evidence-based approach with these changes to Accelerated Protection to ensure meaningful support for those who need it, while maintaining value for all our customers.

“The TPD Support Option recognises that recovery is rarely straightforward. Some people can return to work with the right support and treatment, while others, unfortunately, cannot.

“Its flexible approach helps people through their recovery journey while maintaining strong financial protection for those permanently unable to work.”

TAL has also made improvements to its Income Protection offering to better cater to the needs of self-employed customers and “support business continuity” at times of illness or injury, including revised offsets for ongoing income and adjusted waiting periods to allow for customers to complete small administrative tasks without affecting eligibility.