There is nothing stopping you from lodging a TPD claim yourself — it's your right, and many straightforward claims succeed without help. But the risks of self-management are real and worth understanding before you decide.
The claim form is not a guide
The forms your super fund sends are designed to collect information for the insurer's benefit. They do not guide you on how to frame your claim for maximum effect. Many self-managed claimants answer questions accurately but not strategically — missing opportunities that a specialist would catch.
Medical evidence is rarely self-organised effectively
Getting useful medical reports requires briefing your doctors on what the policy definition requires — not just asking for "a letter for my insurance." Most GP letters and even specialist reports aren't tailored to the specific language of a TPD policy definition. The gap between a generic report and a policy-specific one can be the difference between approval and rejection.
What you don't know you don't know
The most dangerous mistakes are the ones you don't know you're making. Inconsistencies between your claim form and medical records. Missing the significance of certain questions. Failing to address permanence directly. These are invisible errors until the rejection letter arrives.
When self-management works
Straightforward claims — clear physical disability, abundant specialist evidence, simple employment history, a fund with a helpful claims process — can often be managed directly. The risk increases significantly with:
- Mental health conditions
- Any-occupation policy definitions
- Previous rejections
- Multiple funds or complex employment histories
- Pre-existing condition questions
Check whether your claim is straightforward or complex with our free eligibility check.