More about insurance

Find out more about the types of insurance cover Cbus offers, how to change your cover when certain events happen in your life, making a claim on insurance and nominating beneficiaries on your super.

Death and Total and Permanent Disablement (TPD) cover

When you die, Death cover provides a payment on top of your super balance.

If you’re diagnosed with a terminal illness that two medical practitioners (including a specialist) certify is likely to lead to your death within 24 months of diagnosis, you’ll also be covered. And if you’re unlikely to ever work again due to illness or injury, TPD cover provides a payment, on top of your super balance.

TPD insurance doesn’t apply if you’re temporarily or partially disabled. If you have to stop work due to an illness or injury, but can later return to work in your job or any other job for which you’re reasonably suited, you won’t be eligible for a benefit.

Subject to eligibility, Death and TPD cover is available up to 70 years of age. You need to apply for TPD cover from ages 65 to 69, otherwise it stops at age 65.

If you don't have TPD insurance cover we may still be able to pay your total account balance as a permanent incapacity benefit.

To make a claim, call us on 1300 722 152 to check if you’re eligible and to get the forms you need to complete.

How much does it cost?

Cbus has four occupation categories, based on the duties you perform in your role. Each category has its own insurance scale that shows how much each unit of cover is worth.

For more information about Death and TPD cover, and details of each occupation category, read our relevant Product Disclosure Statements on our forms and publications page or call us on 1300 361 784 .

Nominating beneficiaries

If you’re a Cbus member and you die, your dependants can claim:

the total amount in your account, and
any insurance benefit you had at the date of your death.

Dependants

Your dependants include:

your spouse (including de facto and same-sex partners)
children (including step or adopted children or children of same-sex couples)
other people who are financially dependent on you (wholly or partially) or were in an interdependency relationship with you.

Interdependent

An interdependency relationship means two people (whether or not related by family) who have:

a close personal relationship, and
live together, and
one or each of them provides the other with financial support, and
one or each of them provides the other with domestic support and personal care.

If two people (whether or not related by family) have a close personal relationship, but don’t meet the other requirements above because either, or both, of them suffer from a physical, intellectual or psychiatric disability, they can be considered to have an interdependency relationship.

People who share accommodation for convenience, such as flat-mates, don’t qualify.

Types of nomination

There are two ways you can nominate who will receive your super, and any insurance benefits, in the event of your death.

1. Non-binding nomination

You may have made a non-binding nomination when you first joined Cbus.

A non-binding nomination means:

your benefit will be paid to either your dependant/s or your legal personal representative, and
we’ll make the final decision. While the decision will be made under Cbus’ Trust Deed, people you’ve chosen will be considered.

To update your non-binding nomination:

login to your Member account and update your details online
complete a Non-binding nomination form (PDF) and post it back to us.

2. Binding nomination

A binding nomination means you can elect who you want your super and insurance to go to if you die, as long as:

you choose an eligible person to receive your benefit (in accordance with Cbus’ Trust Deed and relevant legislation);
the eligible person is a dependent or legal personal representative; and
you’ve made your nomination in the last three yearsand continue to renew it every 3 years.

You can make a binding nomination by completing a Binding death benefit nomination form (PDF) or call us for further information.

Income Protection cover

Cbus Income Protection cover for Sole Traders

If you’re unable to work due to an accident or illness, Income Protection cover can provide financial support in the form of regular income.

On joining Cbus, eligible Sole Traders may receive six units of accident or illness cover. This is subject to acceptance by the insurer.

Members can also apply to vary, upgrade or increase cover for accident or accident and illness.

Cbus Income Protection cover for Industry Super

Many Industry Super members already have Income protection cover as part of their employment arrangements.

However, if you don't have Income Protection, you can apply for cover through Cbus. This can provide monthly income if you can't work because of an accident of illness.

This cover is not provided automatically - you must apply for it. Please check your terms and conditions of employment for any existing cover before applying through Cbus.

Accident and Sickness Insurance - for Industry Super (Manual and Electech)

Some Cbus members have income protection cover as part of their terms and conditions of employment or a personal policy.

If you're not already covered, you may want to consider Accident and Sickness Insurance to fill the gap.

Cbus has negotiated 24/7 access to insurance cover for loss of income through accident or illness in the event you are unable to work.

The cost of income continuance cover through the Accident and Sickness Insurance can't be deducted from your Cbus member account, as it’s paid directly by you to the insurer. However, you may be able to claim this as a personal income tax deduction.

Accident and Sickness cover features:

benefits can be payable for up to two years or three years depending on which option you select
if your employment ends as a result of disability after you make a claim, benefits continue to be paid
if you return to work in a reduced capacity, partial disability benefits may be payable.

Choose your cover

You can choose to insure yourself for 100% or 75% of your gross income, or for less. You can also select a waiting period of 14, 28, 60 or 90 days.

The longer the waiting period (where no claims are payable), the less expensive the premium payable is.

There is also an option to cover yourself for lump sum benefits in the event of an accident only for up to $250,000.

Find out more call 1300 362 146 for more information.

This insurance is underwritten by QBE Insurance (Australia) Limited ABN 78003191035 AFSL 239545.

Life events insurance increases

When you increase your insurance cover, your application is usually assessed based on your medical history and current health.

Life events insurance increases allow you to improve your level of Death and TPD cover when certain life events occur, without having to provide health information.

Life events insurance increases are available to members of Cbus Industry Super who have existing cover.

You can apply for Life events insurance increases within 60 days of the following events occurring:

you get married
you or your partner give birth or adopt a child/children
you take out a mortgage or renegotiate an increase to an existing mortgage by more than $100,000 on your primary residence
you take out a business loan or increase an existing business loan by more than $100,000.

Download a Life events application (PDF).